Construction is officially underway at Old Shores, a new resort and residential community in the Florida Panhandle, featuring a golf course designed by renowned architect Tom Doak. The first round of preview play is expected in late 2026, with a full grand opening scheduled for late 2027.
Located about 35 miles north of Panama City and 35 minutes from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), Old Shores is the latest development from Michael Keiser, whose portfolio includes Sand Valley Golf Resort in Wisconsin, Rodeo Dunes in Colorado, and Wild Spring Dunes in Texas.
A son of Bandon Dunes developer Mike Keiser, Michael Keiser continues the philosophy of placing walkable, world-class golf design at the center of the community plan, allowing lodging, dining, and amenities to evolve naturally around the course. Previous Keiser projects have emphasized respecting the land and fostering a strong sense of place, attracting celebrated architects like Doak and the duo Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw. Sandy soil at Old Shores promises firm, bouncy turf ideal for strategic course design.
According to Doak, Old Shores’ property offers surprises for golfers familiar with Florida courses. "There is about forty feet of elevation change from high to low on our site, and even more on the site for the second course, with big sweeping hills providing a variety of stances,” he said. "Then there are the sinkholes, which are unlike anything I’ve seen on a golf course; in some cases there are abrupt banks 30-50 feet deep, and the largest of them, Long Lake, is something like 50 acres in size.”
Doak’s routing will wind along natural landmarks such as Kersey Branch, Sunset Meadow, and Long Lake, enhancing the property’s distinctive character. The course begins near the village hub of Old Shores, meandering outward before looping back so that key greens and tee boxes remain in close proximity for convenience. Angela Moser, lead on-site for the project, has collaborated with Doak since 2011 and served as lead associate on Pinehurst No. 10, which opened in 2024.
In addition to Doak’s first 18-hole course, Old Shores will eventually include a par-3 loop, a precision course, and a second 18-hole course. The community will feature a hotel, multiple dining venues, cottages, and 21 estate homesites, starting at $1.3 million, located above Long Lake with views of the course’s closing holes. The built environment is designed to be walkable, reflecting the village-style charm of England and Scotland.
This marks Doak’s third original course design in Florida, following Streamsong Blue (2012) and Sandglass (2026), continuing his reputation for integrating natural landforms into challenging yet playable layouts.
Michael Keiser emphasized that Old Shores will carry forward his family’s vision: "We aim to create not just golf courses but vibrant communities that honor the land and provide a lasting sense of place for members and residents alike."
Construction Timeline and Community Vision
Construction began in early 2026, with significant earthwork, grading, and routing to take place over the year. The project is expected to be a multi-year endeavor, with phased development allowing for early access to the first course while additional amenities and residential areas are completed.
With the addition of Old Shores, the Keiser family expands its portfolio of destination golf properties that blend high-quality course architecture, sustainable land management, and premium residential planning, positioning the community as a premier golf and lifestyle destination in the Florida Panhandle.
Originally reported by Tim Gavrich in Golf Pass.
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