The highly anticipated Soleta Golf Club, the new luxury golf and lifestyle community in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch markets, has named Aaron Crooks its Head Golf Professional.
Aaron Crooks
Crooks has been Director of Golf at Bluejack National in Montgomery, Texas, for the past four years. In this role, he and his team created a member–guest experience that received the No. 1 ranking in Texas. Additionally, he grew the club’s retail program and earned consecutive Merchandiser of the Year awards from the Northern Texas PGA Section in 2020 and 2021.
Before his position at Bluejack National, Crooks was Director of Golf at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, FL., for three years. For ten years prior, he was a Golf Professional at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, FL.
“Soleta Golf Club is pleased to welcome Aaron to the team as our first Head Golf Professional,” said Charles Duff, Managing Partner of Soleta Golf Club. “He has many years of experience at some of the top private clubs in the country. We know he will be a great asset to our club and serve our members well.”
Designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Nick Price, Soleta Golf Club, officially located in Myakka City east of Sarasota, is scheduled to open in November. The 7,400-yard par-72 course is routed separately from the location of the planned 93 luxury residences and other amenities, including a clubhouse, cottages for members and guests, a racquet sports facility, a family-style pool, and a spa.
“I’ve worked on other projects that have involved golf, but this is pure golf,’’ Club Partner David Turner said. “We have the 93 homes, but only the 11th hole – and maybe the tee boxes on No. 12 – is where you see homes.
“This was a pure focus of golf. Part of it was the timing and location.In this market, we felt a need for a higher-end, golf-focused club.’’
The Club already has considerable interest for membership – locally and nationally.
“We’re getting a lot of guys in their 40s and their families,’’ said Alan Pope, Soleta Golf Club’s Director of Membership. “They are coming from everywhere. They grew up at places like Winged Foot and Shinnecock. Now they have kids who are starting to play. So with our practice facility and par-three course, it’s great for them.
Famed golf instructor David Leadbetter, who has coached touring professionals to major championship titles and worldwide tournament victories, designed the Club’s practice and indoor performance facility, named “The Field of Dreams.’’ The grounds contain different grasses, a variety of greens, and elevation changes to help players fine-tune their games to be tournament-ready. In addition to the expansive outdoor practice areas, the indoor center will include a biomechanics studio, club fitting, a putting studio, simulators, and other advanced training technologies.
“People from the North, particularly, like to spend time practicing,’’ Pope said. “People call me and ask about a good practice facility. I tell them, ‘We’re going to have it.’’’’
Soleta Golf Club is one of several high-end private golf clubs and communities either under construction or recently opened on each side of the Florida coast, reinforcing golf’s popularity in the state.
“People always are going to move here because of retirement and the weather,’’ Pope said. “So the demand for private golf is off the charts.”
Photos courtesy of Soleta Golf Club
