John Neal has purchased father Pat Neal’s 50 percent ownership in University Park Country Club and the golf course near Sarasota.

The Pasold Family, Pat Neal’s original partner in University Park, retains its half ownership in the country club and golf course. The sale does not include the residential community, of which Pat Neal, President of Neal Communities, and The Pasold Family retain ownership.

As co-owner since Nov. 9, 1980, and with most of the real estate development completed, Pat Neal agreed with John that this would be an ideal time to make the transition.

John’s ties to University Park date back to his childhood when what is now the country club and residential community were a large parcel of land. Pat and John walked the land together and marked the trees to be preserved as part of the land and golf course development. They also laid out the front entrance of Park Boulevard together in the winter of 1989.

“With more than 20 years experience with University Park Country Club, John knows the property and the members and also understands the environmental preservation philosophy that was established with the Pasold Family,” said Pat Neal.

In addition to his new ownership responsibilities at University Park Country Club, John Neal will remain an active land developer and manager at Neal Communities, including managing Wisteria Park, Forest Creek and River’s Reach projects.

University Park Country Club is part of a residential, master-planned.