The ideal home can come in various shapes and sizes, but not many would imagine their perfect property situated within the grounds of a major sports venue. While having a world-class golf course right in your backyard may seem perfect for avid golfers, the idea of stray balls hitting windows and strangers wandering through your garden is not appealing to most. Despite this, nestled within the expansive fairways and serene lakes of Tournament Players Club (TPC) Sawgrass – the renowned home of the PGA Tour and the prestigious Players Championship – lies a community where one family has found their own piece of paradise.
Facing a Difficult Decision
Rebecca Burchell found herself at a crossroads. Having settled comfortably in the charming town of Beaconsfield in southeast England, her family had spent a decade creating a new life after relocating from Ponte Vedra Beach near Jacksonville, Florida, in 2007. Her teenage children, Emma and Liam, had integrated well into the local school, while Burchell, a licensed realtor, was actively involved as a governor there. However, the initial reason for their transatlantic move would eventually lead them back across the ocean. With her husband Mark’s new job opportunity in Jacksonville aligning with his extensive career in global relocations, the Burchell family made the decision to return to Florida.
The Search for a New Home
The need to enroll Liam in a top-notch school immediately brought their house hunt back to Ponte Vedra Beach, Burchell’s old stomping grounds. Leveraging her real estate expertise in renovating and selling properties, she embarked on a swift search for their new home. After visiting twenty properties in rapid succession, Burchell’s discerning eye focused on the Sawgrass Players Club, a community comprising 1,900 homes spread across 1,200 acres and 16 distinct neighborhoods.
Love at First Sight
Burchell was captivated by the picturesque surroundings of Sawgrass Players Club, with its winding waterways teeming with wildlife and lush greenery enveloping the community. Her attention zeroed in on Seven Mile Drive, a neighborhood known for its upscale properties with price tags ranging from $1.4 to $2.5 million. Situated close to the coastline, a mere five-minute drive away, the homes in this area commanded a premium, starting at $700,000. Over 80% of the residences in Seven Mile Drive bordered the Dye’s Valley Course, a prestigious golf course designed by renowned architects Pete Dye and Bobby Weed, which further added to the allure of the neighborhood.
Located adjacent to the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, Dye’s Valley Course has been the venue for numerous professional events since its opening in 1987. Properties line the fairways and greens of the course, as described by Rebecca Burchell. The Burchell family initially purchased a home positioned along the cart path within the first fairway, exposing their garden and pool to roughly 10 golf balls weekly. Despite this minor inconvenience, Burchell accepted it as part of the lifestyle of residing on a golf course. The only real issue arose when occasional bold golfers wandered into their garden without permission, risking the ire of a protective dog. Burchell humorously recalled warning intruders of the dog’s unfriendly nature. Incidents of golf balls landing in their garden were common, although Burchell noted that broken windows were a rare occurrence and seldom complained about. The Burchells later moved to a house overlooking the third green, where they haven’t had a single golf ball land on their property in the two years since relocating.
Working from home in such a setting can be distracting, with the constant allure of observing golfers and wildlife, including herons and pelicans. The community offers an array of amenities, from a swimming pool to sports facilities, making it a vibrant and social environment. Annual events and festivals, such as Springfest and Flicks in the Field, take place at places like Players Park. The centerpiece of the community is the 77,000-square-foot TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, with various dining options, a gallery, and a golf shop. Burchell emphasized the close-knit nature of the community, with sporting activities like tennis fostering friendships among residents.
Golf is not a top priority for Burchell’s husband due to the high costs associated with playing at the championship courses. Instead, he frequents The Yards, a more affordable option that underwent renovation in 2020. This facility offers residents a less expensive way to enjoy golf, with additional amenities such as tennis courts and pickleball facilities. Burchell finds it challenging to identify any negatives about their community, as even the one concern she mentioned is quickly mitigated.
Each year, the Players Championship takes center stage in the golf world. Often referred to as “the fifth major,” this prestigious event garners significant attention, excitement, and, notably, heavy traffic. During the week of the tournament in March, the local community faces gridlock, prompting residents to prepare for the chaos by stocking up on supplies and remaining at the tournament site throughout the event – a form of golf-themed doomsday prepping.
Fans eagerly gather around the iconic 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass to catch a glimpse of golf legend Tiger Woods, as seen at the 2018 Players Championship. The tournament week becomes a community-wide celebration, offering private seating for locals to witness top players in action, alongside concerts, military appreciation day, ladies day, and various other events.
Describing the scene as a massive party, one local resident shared the festive atmosphere that begins early each day and extends well into the night, only to be repeated the following day. The enjoyable week of activities serves as a welcome distraction for residents like Burchell, who have found solace in the vibrant golfing community after relocating from Beaconsfield.
For Burchell and his family, life on the golf course has been a source of joy and stability, especially as they support their daughter’s aspirations in the horse industry after her graduation from the University of Florida. The picturesque setting and lively atmosphere have created a perfect haven for the family, making their transition from Beaconsfield more seamless.
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