In 1986, well-respected Jacksonville real estate developer Chester Stokes created a gated golf community in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Stokes’ vision for his new Marsh Landing was to make the development and country club a source of pride for himself and the residents. Although Marsh Landing was not a “bundled” community, there were more than 1,100 homes, and with an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, Stokes felt that the golf club would become sustainable.
As expected, Marsh Landing became a very desirable place to live. Membership was at an all-time high, and the club flourished. But when the economy went through its downturn about 12 years ago, the club lost a substantial number of members and, as a result, a good chunk of operating revenue. Luckily, Stokes was “all-in” and invested a lot of his own money into the well-being of the club.
In 2022, seeing that the club was “tired” and needed a significant overhaul, Stokes put forth a few ideas to the Board of Directors, including an effort to make Marsh Landing a bundled community. When none of his suggestions panned out, Stokes decided enough was enough and offered to sell the club to the members. The members decided not to exercise that option, so Chester Stokes put Marsh Landing Country Club on the market.
Enter Concert Golf Partners, one of the US’s fastest-growing golf course ownership and management companies. After interviewing several management companies, the Board submitted the Concert Golf proposal to the community, who voted unanimously to accept their bid and sell the club.
Concert Golf Partners are experts at buying clubs operating below their potential and turning them around by making capital improvements, streamlining club operations, and increasing membership. Concert Golf Partners never passes the costs along to its members in the form of increased assessments. They currently have 32 properties in 16 states in their portfolio. Concert Golf Partners is helping Chester Stokes and the residents realize his initial vision by turning Marsh Landing Country Club around.
John Fairall is the new General Manager at Marsh Landing. Fairall has been in the golf business for over 30 years and has seen the good and bad of new club ownership. According to Fairall, when Concert took over March Landing, they were immediately behind the 8-ball with some of the members. “For years, these people had been told that changes were coming (capital improvements and course improvements), but it never came to fruition. We had to earn their respect, and to do that, we had to follow through on our promises and commitments.”
As promised, Concert Golf has initiated a $7 million capital improvement plan; the first steps are already underway. The driving range was recently re-grassed and equipped with TurfHound tee stations. TurfHound provides a surface that mimics the feel of natural grass without requiring a lawnmower.! The renovation of the clubhouse is also well underway. Fairall said, “We have completed the demolition phase and are now rebuilding everything!”
After purchasing the club, Concert flipped the nines back to their original routing. That’s the only thing that has changed with the golf course since Ed Seay finished the design; playing is still as fun and exciting as ever.
Playing Marsh Landing is like taking a 4-hour ride through a nature preserve. The course was designed by Arnold Palmer Course Design partner Ed Seay, who could keep most of the landscape intact and incorporate the terrain’s natural features into the layout. The course uses a lot of creative routing and features two very diverse nines. The front side meanders through serene, intercoastal marshlands with the odd towering pine tree; water comes into play on every hole. The back nine looks like it has been carved from thick lagoons and tidal marshes. You get a break from the water on the first two holes, but then it re-emerges for the rest of the round. As you would expect with a country club of this caliber, fairways are manicured, bunkers are raked to near perfection, and the greens roll true. Even though the community dates back to 1985, March Landing is still one of the most prestigious developments in the area. You’ll get the picture as you pass some impressive homes on the golf course.
The Course measures 6,851 yards from the championship tees with a course rating of 74.3 and a slope 143. Move up to the Member tees, and the yardage drops 6,468 yards with a rating of 72.4 and a slope of 135. I chose the Merganser Tees (6,176/71.2/129), which were still challenging but let me leave with my dignity somewhat intact.
Marsh Landing offers seven tees, so finding a distance that suits your game shouldn’t be a problem. The course plays on Bermuda grass from tee to green. Over the years, Marsh Landing has hosted both US Amateur and US Open qualifying events, the 2003 Florida State Amateur Championship, and the 1999 and 2001 Oakley Invitational.
Marsh Landing has its share of memorable holes; my favorites are Number 12 and 17. For many members, the 12th hole is the layout’s signature hole. It’s an incredible par-3 that plays 160 yards from the Member Tees. Start from an elevated tee box over a soggy marshland into a small green protected by bunkers in the front and back. It’s all carry from tee to green with no bailout area. Long is better than short!
Number 17 is a challenging par 5, especially if you’ve never played it. It plays 495 yards, is almost dead straight, and is one of the tighter driving holes on the golf course. It does open up a bit in the landing area, but you can’t tell that from the tee box. There’s water on the right should you push your drive and a bunker on the left if you hit it too well. What you may not know – I didn’t – is that a large wetland area comes into play about 130 yards before the green. Unless you can hit your fairway wood longer than you just hit your drive, your best bet is to lay up and leave yourself a manageable distance into the green, protected by a large bunker on the right. Beware of the two fairway bunkers on the right just short of the marsh. Par is a good score here!
At a Country Club where the main focus is golf, you would expect to find first-rate practice facilities, and Marsh Landing doesn’t disappoint. You can practice at their full-length driving range, hitting every club in the bag, or sharpen your short-game skills on the chipping green. Then, move over to the practice green and stroke some putts. The friendly professional staff at Marsh Landing is there to help you take your golf game to the next level. Lessons are available regardless of your skill level at either one of the practice areas or on the golf course; they can also fit you for a new set of clubs. Inside the pro shop, you’ll find the latest golf fashions and styles so you’ll play your best and look good!
In addition to a top-rated 18-hole championship golf course, Marsh Landing Country Club features ten lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, a large fitness facility, and a resort-style pool.
Membership is the best way to experience all Marsh Landing Country Club offers. All Memberships include primary, spouse, and children under 23. Each membership category has a one-time, non-refundable initiation fee, plus monthly dues.
Membership categories are a Standard Full Golf Membership with unlimited use of all golf, tennis, fitness, and swimming facilities and use of our clubhouse and dining facilities. There are no greens fees or court fees. A Junior Membership has the same entitlements for members and their spouses under 45. A Sports Membership includes everything but golf, and a Social Member has unlimited use of the dining facilities and all social functions. And, as a Member of a Concert Golf property, you’ll enjoy reciprocal privileges at other clubs within their network. For more information or to arrange a personalized tour, contact the Membership Director.
For more information or to arrange a visit, call them at 904.285.6514 or visit them online. Marsh Landing Country Club’s website has a lot of good information, including the layout of each hole. www.marshlandingcc.com.