Golf courses partner with PAR 5 Club

MANATEE COUNTY — Two years ago, Mill Creek resident Mark Bruce saw how the economy could directly impact a person’s golf swing.

After spending eight years as the director of golf for Bent Tree Country Club in Sarasota, Bruce, along with Tony Panico, then the club’s head golf professional, was relieved of his duties in Dec. 2008 after changes in the market forced Bent Tree to restructure.

Rather than letting the market keep them away from the game they loved, Bruce and Panico joined forces. After starting Play Golf Sarasota magazine in 2009, the two PGA professionals created a golf club where local residents, who had also been impacted by the economy, could continue to play without having to join an exclusive country club.

Last summer, Bruce and Panico founded the PAR 5 Club, which provides members with access to exclusive golf courses, discounted prices and savings.

“It’s like a virtual golf club or country club that offers its members opportunities to play golf, save some money and enjoy the game they love without having to belong to a big country club,” Bruce said.

The PAR 5 club works with local country clubs to bring additional customers and revenue, which they may not have otherwise received due to recent economic conditions.

Two weeks ago, the PAR 5 Club announced a new partnership with four East County golf courses: Legacy Golf Club, River Strand Golf & Country Club, Stoneybrook Golf Club and Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

“For years, local golfers have longed for a program that provides them great value and predictability the whole year”, said Chris Brandt, PGA General Manager at Stoneybrook Golf Club. “Giving locals good deals in the summer just isn’t good enough anymore.”   

Today, the PAR 5 Club is home to about 300 members. The PAR 5 Club offers two levels of membership. The Par Level provides golfers with guaranteed fixed rates all year long, discount deals, value added offers at area courses and special invitations to play at some of the private clubs in the area throughout the year. In addition to golf, members also will receive discounts for restaurants and professional services. The cost of a Par Level membership is $55 a year.

For an additional $39 a month, members can upgrade to the new Birdie Level, which provides the same Par Level benefits as well as the opportunity to have home club affiliation with one of the four East County partner courses. In addition, members will also receive free range balls and coupons for their respected course’s restaurants and pro shops and have use of their home club’s practice facilities.

“From a consumer side, they see summer rates are low and they can play pretty cheap, but then they see rates go through the roof through season,” Bruce said. “Our core courses recognize the (need) for predictability in these economic times. If someone can have predictably throughout the year, then it helps him or her plan. It gives them a light at the end of the summer.

“That’s really what we cater to — the person who lives here year-round and wants to be plugged in,” he added. “Our goal is to create a program for local golfers that makes them feel like they’re a part of a club where they get treated like members and get the (additional) opportunities and benefits that we can provide them as a group.”

For more information on the PAR 5 Club, visit its website at www.parfiveclub.com.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].