Patricia and Frank: Four Decades Of Gulf Harbour Evolution

Patricia Warner remembers her first day at Gulf Harbour. No golf course. No fitness center. No casual grill. Just fields and a warehouse that doubled as her office.

"I came to work for Rivers Edge Country Club in 1984, and I have been here ever since," Patricia recalls. 

Frank arrived two years later in 1986, becoming one of the club’s first and founding members. He bought his condo after seeing just nine holes of golf and a promise of more to come.

"I just fell in love with the location," Frank says.

Patricia and Frank witnessed Gulf Harbour go from 217 residential units to a community with 22 neighborhoods and more than 1,600 doors. They also participated in this growth, owning eight different properties throughout Gulf Harbour over the years.

"We've moved around a lot and we've lived in different neighborhoods," Patricia explains. Each move brought new neighbors, new views and new reasons to love their evolving community.

From those early days of gathering in neighbors' homes for dinner parties to a full-service yacht and country club, Patricia and Frank have seen every renovation, every improvement, and every challenge. Their story proves that Gulf Harbour gets better with change.

Thriving Through Transformation

The current clubhouse renovation faced member reservations at first. Pat and Frank witnessed this in the past. But Frank remembers the shift clearly.

"There was some push against it in the beginning, but after a good pitch by the architectural design firms and our board of governors, they really sold the people on it," Frank explains. "They had an overwhelming go ahead to get this project going, get it moving sooner than later. So people are excited about it."

During times of change, the couple adapts. They've done it before—hosting driveway parties during COVID-19, finding creative ways to connect when traditional venues weren't available. Frank sees a familiar pattern emerging.

"We said it's almost like reverting back to some of the original days. We're going back to our roots. And we lived through it. We had a good time and we survived. We'll make do,” Frank says.

The Heart of Gulf Harbour’s Community

The couple discovered Gulf Harbour's true value early. When amenities were scarce in the 1980s, members created their own entertainment. Those driveway parties and home gatherings built bonds that last 40 years later.

"We have met people, became friends with them, and we've been to Minnesota, we've been to Wisconsin, and we go to Santa Fe, we go to St. Louis," Frank shares. "We just travel around because of these people we've met."

Frank met Patricia at Gulf Harbour. They’ve built their life together here. They’ve introduced new members to old friends. Patricia mentions they know everyone—or used to. Now, with younger members joining all the time, new faces mean new stories, new friendships, and new adventures.

Here, members choose community over convenience. They'll wait out renovations. They'll adapt to temporary changes. Because leaving means starting over somewhere else. 

And as Patricia asks, “Why would they leave? They have all these friends here.”

The facilities will be stunning when complete. But the couple knows that Gulf Harbour's real benefit walks on two legs and shares your table at Friday dinner.

Building on 40 Years

"I see Gulf Harbour as a small town community," Patricia explains. "Your friends and family are going to come visit you, and who knows, they may buy as well."

Patricia, who also sells real estate at Gulf Harbour, notices a shift in buyers’ mentality: "We are finding that more and more people are joining the club because of not exactly what we have, but what is coming."

Patricia and Frank built their life here starting with nine holes of golf and a warehouse. Imagine what you'll build starting with so much more.