Sarasota FL News | Polo Under the Palms at Lakewood Ranch

Published on February 25, 2015

BEST FLORIDA BEACH TOWNS - SARASOTA FLORIDA

The Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch will once again host the upcoming Polo Under the Palms fundraiser. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, March 7, 2015 in one of the best Florida beach towns. It will be filled with exciting activities for hours. Here’s what you can expect:

3:00pm – The gates open. Attendees can enjoy field side seating in the pavilion or stop by to view the silent auction items up for bid. New this year, the electronic bidding system allows for bids prior to and during the event.
4:00pm - the finals of the USPA-sanctioned 12 Goal tournament are played while complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres by Chefs Danny Gibbons and Jeremy Hammond-Chambers of Innovative Dining are served.
6:00pm – Following the trophy presentation, more delicious cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served. Enjoy live music by Ben Hammond.
7:00pm – The festivities continue under the white pole tent. Family-style dinner by Chef Tommy Klauber of Polo Grill is served. Live music by Serenade of Souls will keep everyone dancing.

Since its inception in 2011, Polo Under the Palms, a popular Florida polo club, has raised more than $1 million to help people living with cancer and their families. This year’s Polo Under the Palms adds new a beneficiary - Cancer & Biomedical Research at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501(c) 3 research institution. Its mission is to advance marine and environmental science through scientific research, education and public outreach. Mote’s world-class research programs address some of the most pressing issues facing human society today, including cancer like lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and malignant melanoma.

The other beneficiary is the MD Anderson Cancer Center. It is one of the world's most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. Since 1944, almost 950,000 patients have turned to MD Anderson for cancer care in the form of targeted therapies, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and proton therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations of these and other treatments.

The Uihlein family, originally from Milwaukee, who founded the Schlitz Brewing Company, once owned a timber ranch on the land that is now filled with attractive new Lakewood Ranch homes. Chairwoman Christie Uihlein created Polo Under the Palms for her father-in-law, Jamie Uihlein, who was diagnosed with stage 1 tongue cancer in 2004. He sought a second opinion at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he received treatment and is now cancer free.

93 years ago, The Uihliens acquired more than 48 square miles of land at the southern reaches of the greater Tampa Bay area, one of the best retirement communities in Florida. In the intervening years, the area was developed to include the award-winning master-planned community of Lakewood Ranch and The Sarasota Polo Club.

Lakewood Ranch is a 17,500-acre master-planned golf community encompassing all aspects of residential and commercial development. It is also one of the largest green-certified communities in America.

Since 2005, new Lakewood Ranch homes have been built "green," incorporating building products and techniques that result in a healthier, more energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible home. Lakewood Ranch offers a variety of housing and lifestyle options - from single-family, maintenance-free, and luxurious private estates - surrounded by dramatic landscapes and wetland preserves harboring hundreds of species of native wildlife.

Country Club East - private gated community built around lakes, nature preserves and 18-holes of glorious Rick Robbins designed golf with a clubhouse planned for the near future. Single family homes start in the low $100k’s.
Central Park is six distinct neighborhoods framing out a 10 acre park and will include dog parks, tennis courts, play areas, fountain park, ball park, walkways & benches for people to simply relax and enjoy. Single family homes start in the high $100k’s.
The Lake Club is a Tuscan-inspired neighborhood centered around lakes and decorative bridges with luxury custom homes and its own Grande Clubhouse. Single family homes begin in the $600k’s.
Greenbrook are neighborhoods that meander around lake a nature preserve. Adventure Park offers active play areas, an obstacle course, in-line skate/hockey rink and a dog park. Lakewood Ranch is one of the best dog friendly cities in Florida. Pedestrian trails connect across the Braden River Preserve to Heron's Nest Nature Park and Braden River Nature Trail. Single family homes begin in the $100k’s.
The Country Club is a gated community centered around 54 holes of golf and The Athletic Center with 18 lighted tennis courts, heated pools and a state of the art fitness center. Townhomes and new homes Lakewood Ranch FL begin in the $200k’s.
Esplande Golf & Country Club is the newest Lakewood Ranch neighborhood and has a Mediterranean theme. 1,250 single family homes and villas spread across 600 acres are planned. Prices range from the mid $200k's to the mid $400k's. Bridgewater will be a Lennar Home gated community featuring maintenance free homes.
Edgewater is planned to a be a Mediterranean style neighborhood center around 160 acre Lake Uihlein. This neighborhood is within walking distance of Main Street, home to restaurants, shops and a movie theater.
Summerfield is a new family-oriented neighborhood planned within walking distance of an elementary and middle school and borders the Braden River.
Riverwalk is a new neighborhood planned centered around the 110 acre Heron’s Nest Nature Park. Trails will connect the homes and parks together.