Rightsizing: How Robert and Diane Found Their Perfect Fit at Sugar Mill

Ten years ago, Robert and Diane bought a snowbird retreat in Naples with two grandchildren in mind. The space worked perfectly for winter getaways and beach weekends.

Today, they have eleven grandchildren.

The life they'd built needed to grow with them. Diane's sister had moved, pulling family gatherings eastward. Their kids were spread across different states, and logistics of hosting everyone became complicated. They started looking for a home that could work with their growing family while keeping them close to the people they loved most.

For Robert, one thing was for sure: wherever they landed, the golf had to be right.

The Right Course

"I told her every year, 'We're not moving,'" Robert admits. "And every year she'd bring me over and we'd go looking around. I kept saying no."

Carly Hall, Sugar Mill’s Membership Director, arranged a round. Robert and Diane walked the fairways, experienced the layout, and felt the character of the 27-hole private course.

"Then we played Sugar Mill, and I said, 'Alright, this is pretty good.' We came back and bought the property," Robert says. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Sugar Mill."

Thank goodness for the single round that determined where they'd build their forever home—a four-bedroom house half a mile from the clubhouse, designed to host their entire family.

For Diane, New Smyrna Beach offered something just as important as the course. Born and raised near the Jersey Shore, the area felt familiar in the best way. The beach access, the quieter neighborhoods, the local restaurant scene. It reminded her of home.

A Community That Grows With You

Robert and Diane found themselves welcomed into two thriving communities right away.

Their neighborhood of 72 homes is new, which meant everyone was building connections from scratch. "It's a very diverse community," Diane says. "There's young families with kids playing outside, people in their 30s and 40s, retirees. Everyone is meeting people, and there's always something happening."

The Halloween party drew the entire street. Santa rode through on a sleigh. The Christmas lights competition is still going strong.

At Sugar Mill, the Ambassador Program paired them with established members who shared their interests. Summer twilight league introduced them to regular golf partners. 

Moving to a new area could have felt isolating. Instead, Robert and Diane found themselves surrounded by people excited to connect.

Room to Breathe, Space to Gather

Their daughter's family visited from Belgium over the summer. Four granddaughters splashed in the club pool and loved every minute at the beach. Their grandson experienced his first ocean waves. This Christmas, both kids and their families will fill all four bedrooms.

A place big enough to welcome everyone, with enough room to host the memories they want to create. Close enough to family that visiting doesn't need crazy travel plans.

Sugar Mill's membership flexibility also factored into their long-term planning. As their needs change, they can change their membership level while maintaining access to the community and amenities that drew them here in the first place.

"I wanted to be in a position where we were set and able to stay forever," Diane explains. "I'm retiring in three months, and this move was made with that transition in mind. A place we could grow into and age with."

Looking ahead, Robert sees the positive momentum at Sugar Mill as confirmation they made the right choice. Bobby Lambert's leadership has brought fresh energy to the clubhouse. The new golf pro and tennis director are building programs that enhance what's already there.

"I see things changing in a very positive way," Diane says. "It's a growing community, and we're excited to be part of it."

Robert still hasn't beaten the round he shot during that first visit with Carly. But he's got 27 holes and all the time in the world to keep trying!