The “Billionaire’s Boys Club” has been making its way down south for years; for work and play. As we all know, the pandemic has fast-tracked the number of New York residents relocating to southern states such as Florida and Georgia, which has brought the New York golfing community back to the South.
Whereas before the pandemic, the number of golfers declined in the United States by 6.8 million over the course of 15 years, according to Cronkite News. This resulted in many golf courses and communities converting into housing, parks, industrial spaces, etc. According to the National Golf Foundation, there was an increase in golfers by 500,000 people in 2020, a 2% uptick from 2019, which has consistently grown over the years – especially throughout the pandemic. Proving that golf is back better than ever and fetching a pretty penny for memberships.
Golf clubs nationwide have become the new “work from home” office landscape for the ultra-rich business class. Golf course communities and memberships that once were $250,000 a year are now close to pushing $1 million to gain access to the relocated finance bros and CEOs.
IMI Worldwide Properties represents golf real estate communities that have flourished during the pandemic, ranging from multi-generational golf memberships to resort-style living to custom golf courses in your own backyard. The properties listed below offer a golfing experience and unparalleled luxury like no other – allowing buyers to skip long wait lists and buy their way into prestigious golf clubs.
Frederica Estates – St. Simons Island, GA
Located off the southeastern coast of Georgia on St. Simons Island is the newly-launched Frederica Estates, a collection of 21 luxury waterfront properties within the private, gated community of Frederica. Each property, ranging from eight acres to more than 43 acres, offers endless opportunities for owners, from building a family compound to a full, private golfing experience. You can see an example of one of these estates HERE, which offers enough space to feature a fully-built out custom golf design and two holes expanding 235 yards, all situated on one owner’s property.
Further making it a golf lover’s dream, ownership at Frederica Estates includes a vertical family membership to Frederica Golf Club and a multi-generational membership to the award-winning Sea Island Club. Rated #4 out of the 75 Best Golf Resorts in the U.S., the famed Sea Island Golf Club offers a 17,000 square-foot Sea Island Golf Performance Center and three exceptional 18-hole championship courses including Seaside and Plantation, both home to the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic, as well as Retreat.
Frederica Golf Club offers access to the Tom Fazio championship golf course set on more than 300 acres and the Frederica Learning Center which offers a full array of services, including indoor teaching bays, computer-based swing analysis, a launch monitor, club fitting and repair.
Banyan Cay Resort & Golf – West Palm Beach, FL
The Gilded Age glamor and tropical splendor of The Palm Beaches are in the palm of your hands when owning a private residence at Banyan Cay Resort and Golf. These highly appointed private residences, designed by Randall Stofft, are intended for families seeking an upscale home with top-of-the-line finishes. With four floor plans and several custom elevations available, each home features a private swimming pool, outdoor kitchen and state-of-the-art appliances.
Banyan Cay is the place to relax and enjoy life, where exclusive golf memberships — included with the purchase of a luxury villa — offer everything you want in a private club, along with a casual luxury that creates a quality all its own. Personally designed retired professional golfer himself, the 130-acre, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course takes its cues from the natural surrounding landscape and character from gently moving fairways, landforms, various water features and sod bunkers that provide aesthetics and strategy, providing members with a challenging, yet playable golf experience.
Panther National – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Panther National is a modern golf and lifestyle community built for a new generation, a world catering to the select individuals who call it home. From the signature golf course to custom estates to amenities right at your doorstep, Panther National puts guests at the center of unparalleled beauty and sophistication with European-style service tailored to their taste. Ultra-modern amenities surround a signature Jack Nicklaus 18-hole championship golf course and a sublime 9-hole par-3 course treats golfers of all skill levels to engaging play. World-class training facilities feature ball-tracing technology and bunkers built with sand from each of the four majors with the option for tailored instruction to help perfect the skill of the game.