Golf Course TLC
As seen in Florida Coast Living Magazine
Pristine, manicured,
and ready
for a tournament
at the drop of a
hat—that’s how Steve
Sorrell, golf course
superintendent for the
Hammock Dunes golf
courses, describes his goal for upkeep
and care of these spectacular courses.
The Hammock Dunes’ seaside
Links course, designed by Tom Fazio
and the Rees Jones-designed Creek
Course are major attractions to this
private, luxury golf community on the
upper east coast of Florida. Because the
courses are so valued by members and
the community, the care and upkeep
required for the courses means having
a finely tuned maintenance department
staffed by knowledgeable, skilled
individuals. Steve Sorrell is the perfect
choice to keep the courses "playability"
at their highest levels.
Steve "grew up" on a golf course in
Alabama, played college golf, and went
on to play professional golf in his early
twenties. After receiving a turf degree
from Penn State in 1988, he immediately
took a superintendent position with
the Arnold Palmer Group at a course in
Orlando. From there he went on to work
for Jack Nicklaus in Hilton Head, South
Carolina, then to TPC in Tampa, and
finally, ten years ago, took the position
at Hammock Dunes. "Coming to Hammock
Dunes has turned out to be the
best move of my career," says Steve.
"Our focus is mainly on the playability
of the golf courses. We try to
keep all areas of the courses in tournament-
ready conditions at all times. On
top of our daily maintenance schedules,
we are very fortunate that the Hammock
Dunes membership is committed
to continual improvements, not only
for the golf courses but throughout the
entire operation. One of the unique
aspects of the club is that we do not
defer maintenance, whether it is on the
golf courses or around the clubhouses.
This helps us stay on top of things."
With a staff of 46-strong between
the two courses, many of the daily
operations are performed before the
members ever get to the course. "Greens
are mowed daily," Steve remarks, "and
cups are moved, tee placements are
changed, sand traps are raked, and
general clean up of the cart paths and
debris are performed ahead of play.
Once these daily routines are done we
try to stay out of the way the best we
can, but there is always work to do."
The maintenance staff is in operation
364 days a year, which means
that staff members are on the courses
doing some sort of maintenance every
day. "We want to give our members
the best playing conditions that we
can every day of the year," Steve adds.
"Having the staff and the equipment
to maintain the level of service that
our members have come to expect
and support means it’s our job to go
out there and make it happen. If we
can make it play good and look good
every day, then we are ahead of the
game. That’s what we shoot for."
Membership Has Its Privileges
As seen in Florida Coast Living
That well-used phrase has true
meaning at the Hammock Dunes®
Club. Among the many privileges
of membership are access to two spectacular
golf courses—the masterful Rees
Jones Creek Course and the legendary
Tom Fazio-designed Links course.
Considered by many as one of the premier
private oceanfront golf communities
in the southeast offering equity club
membership, Hammock Dunes provides
its Club members not only with exceptional
amenities, but with access to a
Class A PGA professional who delivers
top-notch golfing events, teaching
instruction and member services.
As the Rees Jones Creek Course
was being developed, long-time Head
Pro Golf Director at two courses owned
by the Robert T. Jones family (Robert T.
Jones Sr., Bobby Jones and Rees Jones),
Ron Sharpe was considering his move to
become the Creek Course Head Pro at
Hammock Dunes.
With 39 years as a Class A PGA
professional, Ron, quickly moved into
the position of Director of Golf for both
Hammock Dunes courses. Well loved
and respected, Ron has worked to create
first-class member golf programs,
events, and shops.
"Our main goal is to give the
members the service they expect and
deserve at a club such as Hammock
Dunes," states Ron. "Members should
receive the best services available in
all aspects of club membership. We
provide them with the ability to take
golf lessons, both individually and in
clinics. Our golf shops carry only top
quality merchandise. We always have
our courses open—even during regular
weekly maintenance; we alternate
course closings so that members always
have a course open for play."
With a wealth of experience spent
directing mostly private clubs, Ron knows
what Hammock Dunes Club members
want and deserve—the very best.
"You will not find two better golf
courses," he comments, "condition-wise
and layout-wise for private membership
anywhere than these Hammock Dunes
courses. The conditions of the courses
are excellent. The top focus of our entire
staff is to provide what the members
need and deserve."
The Club offers an active, vibrant
array of golf activities year-round. The
two largest annual Club events are the
Member/Member Tournament and the
Men’s Member/Guest Tournament. Club
members also have the opportunity
to participate in community events,
such as the Annual Hospice House
Tournament, to raise funds for charities
while they enjoy the camaraderie of
friends and the excitement of great golf.
Regularly held member events include
Mixed Member/Guest events, men’s
and women’s Club championships, and
weekly events for both ladies and men.
"I love what I do," adds Ron. "Every
day I get up, I love going to work. So
many people can’t say that. Though my
education was in math and accounting,
I love golf. I sure couldn't sit behind a
desk after having a position like this at
one of the world’s premier clubs!"
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