One of the many perks about living in the many golf communities in Southwest Florida is that there is always a chance that a major championship or tournament will pick your neighborhood to host an event. Such is the case with the Concession Golf Club and Residences in Bradenton, near Lakewood Ranch. According to World Golf, a website that is part of the Golf Channel cable TV network, the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships will be hosted at the Concession.
The Concession Golf Club and Residences is a new neighborhood built on 1,200 acres of pristine Florida wetland. There are multiple neighborhoods around the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, which in 2006 was distinguished as the Best New Private Club in the United States by Golf Digest. This is an 18-hole, par 72 course on all tees. The most challenging scorecard is the black tee, rated 77.6 at a slope of 155, with a total length of 7,474 yards. The collegiate golf players will certainly enjoy playing the Concession. The course is surrounded by lakes and wildlife preserves, which are the views that many residents enjoy.
This is exciting news for residents of the Concession, as well as for potential home buyers. Southwest Florida is dotted by residential golf neighborhoods, and many of them are in constant competition to attract tournaments. The fact that the NCAA chose the Concession is a testament to the quality of the course and the connections of the managers. Living in a golf neighborhood that hosts a major tournament is an automatic boost of property values, and this is just another example of the burgeoning sports tourism industry in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
There is an interesting historical golf anecdote behind the name of the course and the neighborhood. During the 1969 Ryder Cup, Jack Nicklaus was playing against Tony Jacklin, the co-designer of the course. Nicklaus conceded on a putt during the tournament, effectively bringing the round to a tie. Nicklaus conceded in the spirit of good sportsmanship, and there had not been a tied match in the history of the Ryder Cup up to that point. Hence, the Concession celebrates the moment the legendary players became friends for life.