Bobby Jones opens as nature trail

Municipal golf course, closed since the COVID-19 pandemic, opens its trails to cyclists, walkers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

What if nearly 300 acres of city-run golf course was suddenly open to cyclists, runners, walkers and, well, pretty much everyone but golfers. 

That's what's happening at Bobby Jones Golf Club this weekend. The cart paths are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Memorial Day for exercise, nature watching and photography. Signs instruct visitors to stick to the paved cart paths around the complex's 6,032-yard American course and the 6,710-yard British course. 

The golf center has been closed since March because of COVID-19 concerns and in April, City Manager Tom Barwin indicated the course would remain closed until renovation begins. In February, the city commission voted to pursue a $21.4 million project to downsize the municipal course from 45 to 27 holes and create 130 acres of public park at the 293-acre property, with construction set to begin next spring.

Bobby Jones Golf Club is located at 1000 Circus Boulevard.

Signs guide visitors on whats allowed and what's not.
Signs guide visitors on whats allowed and what's not.
Social distancing on 300 acres isn't a difficult proposition.
Social distancing on 300 acres isn't a difficult proposition.
Cyclists enjoyed the American course's cart paths on Saturday.
Cyclists enjoyed the American course's cart paths on Saturday.
The wooden bridge between the American course's second and third holes.
The wooden bridge between the American course's second and third holes.
Wildlife viewing is a popular way to spend time along Bobby Jones Golf Club's closed-to-golf paths.
Wildlife viewing is a popular way to spend time along Bobby Jones Golf Club's closed-to-golf paths.
Walkers encounter a motorized unicycle skateboarder.
Walkers encounter a motorized unicycle skateboarder.
Few visitors were at Bobby Jones Golf Club around midday Saturday.
Few visitors were at Bobby Jones Golf Club around midday Saturday.
A winding cart path.
A winding cart path.
A songbird sits atop the starter's building alongside the clubhouse.
A songbird sits atop the starter's building alongside the clubhouse.
No one was around the starter's building.
No one was around the starter's building.
The cart path on the British course's 10th hole flanks the practice range and a line of palms.
The cart path on the British course's 10th hole flanks the practice range and a line of palms.
Birds congregate on a tree limb.
Birds congregate on a tree limb.
The practice range was empty.
The practice range was empty.
The practice range was empty.
The practice range was empty.
A lost golf ball on the American course's ninth hole.
A lost golf ball on the American course's ninth hole.
Wildlife, and alligators, are present on the course.
Wildlife, and alligators, are present on the course.

 

Latest News

Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race
From left to right: Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Jon Thaxton and One Stop Housing CEO Mark Vengroff made up a panel hosted by Miracle on the Key Thursday, March 19 on the subject of affordable housing.
  • March 24, 2026
Panel discusses the thorny problem of affordable housing
Lockwood Ridge Road was closed near Gocio Road early Monday morning after a fatal incident between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
  • March 23, 2026
Pedestrian killed crossing Lockwood Ridge Road
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board at a November meeting. Nick Gladding, third from the right, is stepping down as he prepares to take his oath of office for Town Commission on March 23.
  • March 23, 2026
Town to host meet and greet with board applicants

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content