More Than Golf: How the Communi-Tee Classic Is Building Connections in Lakewood Ranch

Robert Carolla had played golf for more than 40 years without making a hole-in-one. That changed during the first Communi-Tee Golf Classic at Calusa Country Club in September 2025.

“I honestly never thought I would actually get one,” Carolla told Your Observer. “It is one of the very special moments in my life.”

Carolla, an Esplanade resident, attended the tournament with Steven Leone. During the event, he met fellow golfer Steve Nagy, and the two have since become good friends.

That unexpected friendship—and the rather memorable hole-in-one—is a perfect example of what the Communi-Tee Golf Classic is intended to create. The tournament raises money for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, but its purpose extends well beyond golf.

The Communi-Tee Golf Classic Returns to Calusa

On September 9, 2026, Calusa Country Club hosted the second annual Communi-Tee Golf Classic, presented by Lennar.

The inaugural tournament attracted 120 golfers in 2025. This year, participation was expanded to accommodate as many as 124 golfers, with registration reportedly filling quickly.

Players could register as a foursome or individually. Those registering alone were asked to identify themselves as beginner, intermediate or advanced so organizers could place them with a compatible team.

That makes the event approachable for golfers at different experience levels. You don’t necessarily need a regular foursome—or a single-digit handicap—to participate. You can register alone, meet new people and still enjoy a comfortable day on the course.

Resident pricing for the 2026 tournament was $125 for an individual golfer or $500 for a foursome. Nonresident pricing was $135 individually or $510 per foursome.

Registration included breakfast, lunch, two complimentary drinks, team prizes, contests, raffles, giveaways and player swag.

Golf With a Community Purpose

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities created the tournament in 2025 while celebrating the nonprofit organization’s 25th anniversary. Following the success of the first event, organizers decided to make it an annual tradition.

The tournament is designed to support more than 60 resident-led clubs and approximately 600 community events presented throughout Lakewood Ranch each year.

Those programs include familiar activities such as:

• Cornhole
• Volleyball
• Bingo
• Yoga
• Tennis
• Community Campout
• Health and Wellness Expo
• Irish Celtic Festival
• Eggstravaganza
• Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar
• Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament

These are the activities that help turn a large master-planned development into a connected community. Homes and amenities may attract people to Lakewood Ranch, but ongoing events, clubs and friendships are often what make residents feel that they belong here.

Tournament proceeds help make that programming possible.

Not Your Typical Charity Scramble

The first Communi-Tee Classic included more than a traditional round of golf. Sponsor booths positioned throughout the course gave golfers opportunities to meet local businesses, participate in giveaways and enjoy a few less-traditional golf experiences.

One of the most popular attractions was a golf-ball air cannon at the Rite Technology booth. MVP Vacations and other participating businesses also interacted with players throughout the day.

The 2025 tournament included a 50/50 raffle that paid winner Tony Brinsisi $865, with the remaining half supporting future Lakewood Ranch Community Activities events.

Those details helped the tournament feel less like a routine fundraiser and more like a community gathering—one where networking, new friendships and a little friendly competition all shared the scorecard.

Lakewood Ranch resident John Potocko, who regularly plays Calusa and other area courses, returned for the second tournament after enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and interactive activities offered during the inaugural event.

Calusa’s Growing Role in Lakewood Ranch

Calusa Country Club opened its 18-hole championship course in January 2025. The course and its companion 12-hole layout were designed by Gordon Lewis.

The community offers bundled-golf and social-membership options, along with a putting green and aqua driving range. Plans for Calusa also include an expanded clubhouse and resort-style amenity complex.

In July 2026, Curran Young Construction announced that it had been awarded the contract for Calusa’s new clubhouse. Plans call for a 21,010-square-foot facility with three event dining rooms, a kitchen, tavern bar, bourbon bar, covered outdoor areas and a golf simulator.

Hosting the Communi-Tee Classic in consecutive years gives golfers from throughout Lakewood Ranch an opportunity to experience Calusa while the community continues to develop its identity and amenities.

Why Events Like This Matter

Lakewood Ranch continues to grow, and every new village arrives with its own homes, amenities and lifestyle promises. But a successful community needs more than attractive landscaping and a resort-style pool.

People need opportunities to meet one another.

That may happen at yoga in the park, a fishing tournament, a neighborhood festival—or while watching someone launch a golf ball from an air cannon.

For Robert Carolla, it happened on a golf course with a hole-in-one and a new friendship he did not expect when the day began.

That is the larger story behind the Communi-Tee Golf Classic. The golf attracts people to the event, but the connections give them a reason to return.

If you are considering a move to Lakewood Ranch, the differences between communities extend far beyond floor plans and home prices. Golf access, membership structures, amenities, social programming and the overall culture of a community can all shape your experience.

Theresa DiNapoli specializes in Lakewood Ranch, golf-deeded and lifestyle communities throughout the Bradenton-Sarasota area. Contact Theresa for straightforward guidance about choosing the home and community that fit the way you want to live.

Reporting and event details were sourced from Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, Calusa Country Club, Lennar and Madison Bierl’s coverage for Your Observer.