New Exclusive Florida Golf Course Designed by PGA Tour Legend Nick Price Opens
The latest milestone in the eastward expansion of premium developments in Florida’s Sarasota and Manatee counties took center stage this week with the unveiling of the $40 million Soleta Golf Club. Located 45 minutes east of downtown Bradenton, the club boasts two miles of frontage on the scenic Myakka River.
This private golf club, designed by PGA Tour Hall of Famer Nick Price, officially opened while its developers plan an additional $40 million investment. The project includes 93 luxury homes, with prices starting at $3 million.
With 170 golf club memberships already sold—ranging from $100,000 for local players to $50,000 for those outside a 60-mile radius—the club is targeting a total of 270 memberships, along with 100 national members.
Construction of the Soleta Golf Club began less than a year ago, transforming a stretch of historically swampy farmland about a mile west of Myakka City in Manatee County. Remarkably, the project was completed in just 11 months, overcoming challenges posed by a tropical storm and two hurricanes.
At Tuesday’s grand opening, Price highlighted the 7,415-yard course as both challenging and accessible to golfers of all skill levels. “The whole idea is to provide variety,” he said, emphasizing the course’s non-formal tees and the choice of multiple tee locations on each hole. While the fairways will initially be “firm and bouncy,” Price noted they will settle over the next year.
Golf’s Post-Pandemic Boom
Golf has seen a significant resurgence since the COVID-19 pandemic, spurring investment in new courses across the U.S., including in the Sarasota-Bradenton region. Nearby, Sarasota recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of the historic Bobby Jones Golf Course, transforming it into a golf park hybrid.
While Soleta’s course is complete, significant development remains, including the construction of a clubhouse and other facilities. Managing development partner David Turner expects the first homes to be ready by November 2025, with the clubhouse slated for late 2026 or early 2027.
A Golf-Centric Community
Unlike many private golf communities where golf is secondary to real estate sales, Soleta prioritizes its course and training facilities. Alan Pope, Soleta’s director of sales, explained that only a small portion of the 93 homes will have direct views of the course. Instead, the focus is on high-tech golf amenities, including state-of-the-art tracking systems for ball distance and speed.
The homes, built by local firms John Cannon Homes and Anchor Builders, will start at $3 million, with lot prices beginning at $350,000. John Cannon, president of John Cannon Homes, expressed confidence in the project despite its rural location. “Growth trends are moving east,” he said, comparing the development to early skepticism about Lakewood Ranch, which has since flourished.
Balancing Growth and Conservation
Not everyone supports this eastward expansion. Becky Ayech, president of the Miakka Community Club, has long advocated for preserving the rural character of the area. She criticized the development for encroaching on the Myakka River, which is designated as “Wild and Scenic” in Sarasota County.
Joe Bellino, whose family owned the 585-acre property before its transformation, acknowledged the controversy but emphasized efforts to minimize environmental impact. The developers preserved wetlands and replanted 2,500 plants, including mature oak trees. Bellino explained the vision behind the project came after his son’s passion for golf inspired him to consider building a course nearly a decade ago.
While resistance to change persists, Soleta Golf Club represents a blend of luxury development and a nod to the enduring appeal of golf in Florida’s evolving landscape.
