REES JONES REIMAGINES GOLF EXPERIENCE AT SADDLEBROOK RESORT

Extensive $92M renovation project underway across golf, resort grounds

WESLEY CHAPEL, Florida – A transformative $92 million revitalization is currently underway at Saddlebrook Resort, the iconic 480-acre destination near Tampa, Florida. The expansive redevelopment is reestablishing the legacy property as a premier haven for leisure travelers, golf and tennis aficionados, and group events. 

Acquired in 2022 by Mast Capital, one of Florida’s most active real estate development and investment firms, in partnership with Amzak Capital Management, the re-imagination encompasses a full-scale resort and golf overhaul. With more than four decades of storied sports heritage, Saddlebrook is poised for a new era of excellence.

World-renowned golf course architect Rees Jones is spearheading a dramatic redesign of Saddlebrook’s historic golf grounds. The vision: transform the two existing 18-hole layouts—originally designed by Arnold Palmer—into a versatile 27-hole championship experience. The three newly conceived nine-hole courses can be rotated in various combinations to create three distinct 18-hole challenges, each offering a unique playing experience. 

The renovation began in late 2024, incorporating six holes from the former Palmer Course and relocating the driving range closer to the main resort lobby for improved accessibility. The state-of-the-art practice facilities now span 13 acres and include a double-sided driving range extending more than 360 yards, two TifEagle bermudagrass putting greens, and three short-game areas with precision-designed greenside bunkers.

Jones’ renovation preserves the legacy of the original courses while elevating them to modern championship standards. All green complexes are being rebuilt to USGA specifications; bunkers are being reshaped, repositioned, and filled with new sand; and tee boxes are being added, rebuilt, and laser leveled. An advanced irrigation and drainage system is also being installed to optimize turf conditions and long-term sustainability.

Upon completion, the three nine-hole layouts will converge near the resort’s redesigned 500,000-gallon Super Pool, creating a cohesive and convenient golf experience. The three configurations will rotate daily, with course distances ranging from 6,600 to 7,005 yards and playing to pars of 71 or 72. One course is slated to debut in late 2025, with another to follow in early 2026. The third is currently open for limited play and will undergo full renovation in spring/summer 2026.

The golf transformation is part of a broader masterplan reimagining the entire resort. Led by acclaimed architecture and design firm EoA Group, renovations span the full guest experience—from refreshed arrival and lobby areas to redesigned guestrooms, vibrant new dining concepts, and fully upgraded event spaces. 

Outdoor areas, multiple pools, and Saddlebrook’s more than 40,000 square feet of meeting space are all being modernized to meet today’s standards of luxury and functionality.

Beyond golf, Saddlebrook continues its legacy as a world-class sports training facility. The resort features 43 tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, serene spa, and a forthcoming multi-court padel complex.

It remains home to the Saddlebrook Golf Academy—which has shaped the careers of professionals like K.J. Choi and Karl Vilips—and the prestigious Hopman Tennis Program and Saddlebrook Preparatory School, long known for developing elite international athletes. Notable alumni include Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Martina Hingis, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Mardy Fish, and James Blake. Current ATP World No. 3 Alexander Zverev has trained at Saddlebrook since the age of 12.

Troon Golf, the resort and daily fee division of Troon, oversees golf operations and membership sales and marketing Saddlebrook.

For more information on Saddlebrook Resort, visit www.saddlebrook.com.