Sarasota’s lengthy coastlines and acres of natural beauty are perfect for picnics and quiet meditation. But the competitors in the crowd look at the idyllic scenery and see record-breaking tarpon, big-air kitesurfing and miles of emerald-green fairways.

The area is known far and wide for its numerous golf courses—including championship courses designed by champions like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer—and our golf status continues to grow with each new tin cup. This past year, Sarasota saw the opening of three much-anticipated and ultra-luxurious private courses: The Concession (its name commemorates the 1969 Ryder Cup, when Jack Nicklaus graciously conceded the final putt to Tony Jacklin), the Founders Club and the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club.

Tennis players can feel the love on Har-Tru or clay at the award-winning Colony Beach and Tennis Resort or any number of courts around. But you may be surprised by the opponent you’re serving to: IMG Academies’ celebrated tennis and golf programs draw flocks of nationally ranked professional athletes to the area.

Beyond the links and the nets, sporting Sarasotans can hit the water year-round to surf, sail, skimboard or snorkel. Or if sitting in the stands is more your speed, take yourself out to the ballparks: the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates play their home spring training games in Sarasota and Bradenton, respectively.

BASEBALL

Cincinnati Reds, Ed Smith Stadium, 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. 954-4101. The Major League team calls Sarasota home for spring training games in March.

Pittsburgh Pirates, McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. 747-3245. Bradenton hosts the Major League’s Pirates during spring training games in March.

Cincinnati Reds/Florida State League Affiliate, 954-4464. Class A minor-league ball at Ed Smith Stadium spring through fall.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. (727) 825-3137. Regular-season Major League Baseball in St. Pete’s domed stadium.

BOATING, FISHING

A sampling of the area’s many options. Check your Yellow Pages for more.

Adventure Charters, 923-2605. Sport fishing, half and full day.

Cannons Marina, 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. 383-1311. Boat rentals, sales.

Captain Action Charter Service, 955-4524. Gulf and bay fishing.

Capt. Bob Smith Sport Fishing Guide, 366-2159. Half-day and full-day fishing trips.

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key. 349-4400. Bay, backcountry and coastal Gulf fishing.

Dockside Marine, 1265 Old Stickney Point Road, Sarasota. 349-8880. Boat rentals.

Flying Fish Fleet, Marina Jack, Sarasota. 366-3373. Half-day, six-hour and all-day trips.

Hart's Landing, 920 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota. 955-0011. Bait, tackle, fishing equipment rentals.

Le Barge Tropical Cruises, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota. 366-6116. Daily sightseeing tours, sunset cruises; private charters available.

Midnite Son Charter Fishing, 349-7677. Sport fishing: half-day, full-day, overnight.

Snook Haven Fish Camp, 5000 Venice Ave. E., Venice. 485-7221. Motorboats, canoes and tour-boat rides on the Myakka River.

Spindrift Yacht Services, 410 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. 383-7781. Sailboat, fishing and pleasure cruise charters.

CANOE AND KAYAK RENTALS

Economy Tackle/Dolphin Dive & Kayak, 6018 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 922-9671. Canoe and kayak supplies, lessons and guided tours.

Island Style Wind and Watersports, 2433 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 954-1009. Kayak tours, wind- and kitesurfing lessons.

Silent Sports Outfitters, 2301 Tamiami Trail N., Nokomis. 966-5477. Ocean kayak specialists. Tours, sales and rentals.

Walk on the Wild Side. 351-6500. Eco-tours.

DIVING, SNORKELING

Dolphin Dive Center, 6018 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 924-2785. Sales and rentals.

Florida West Scuba School, 509-B N. Tamiami Trail, Venice. 486-1400. Lessons, rentals, charter dives, trips.

Ocean Pro Dive Shop, 2259 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. 924-3483. Dive charters, instruction, dive trips. PADI five-star training facility.

Scuba Quest, 1129 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 366-1530; 2357 Tamiami Trail S., Venice. 497-5985; 3318 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. 745-2511. Charters, rentals, sales.

West Coast Divers, 7826 49th Ave. E., Bradenton. 730-0889. Instruction.

SURFING

West Coast Surf Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. 778-1001. Boards, sportswear and more.

Windflight Surf Shop, 722 Albee Road W., Nokomis. 484-2794. Surfboards, wet suits, accessories.

FOOTBALL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (813) 879-2827. NFL team plays at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa Bay Storm, (813) 301-6600. Five-time Arena Football League champions play at the St. Pete Times Forum.

GOLF
Call for tee time availability.

Bird Bay Executive Golf Club, 602 Bird Bay Drive W., Venice. 485-9333. Eighteen-hole course, tennis courts. Public.

Bobby Jones Golf Club, 1000 Circus Blvd., Sarasota. 365-4653. Forty-five-hole complex. Public.

Boca Royale Golf and Country Club, 1601 Englewood Road, Englewood. 474-7475. Eighteen-hole course (nine additional holes under construction), tennis courts. Private.

Calusa Lakes Golf Club, 1995 Calusa Lakes Blvd., Nokomis. 484-8995. Eighteen holes. Public.

The Concession Golf Club, S.R. 70, six miles east of I-75. (866) 357-3349. Exclusive course, newly opened. Designed by Jack Nickalus to commemorate the 1969 Ryder Cup. Private.