Jim Updike – General Manager

Meet Jim Updike, the General Manager at the Palms at Forest Lakes 

Jim’s background with golf began as a young teen when he began cutting the grass at Putt-Putt Golf Course in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He worked his way up to manager by the end of college.

After attending Purdue University for one year, Jim graduated from Indiana University with a business management and administration degree.

Following college, Jim and his wife, Melinda, moved to Lansing, Michigan, to oversee the construction and operate a 54-hole Putt-Putt Golf Course with a 4000 sq ft game room/arcade, deli restaurant, and ice cream parlor. 

In only three years, Jim developed a thriving tournament program with four skill divisions and over 100 players!

Later – after employment in banking and real estate – Jim and his wife ran a successful event balloon decor and delivery business in Indiana for over 20 years (until the pandemic). 

Once they relocated to Sarasota in July 2021, Jim’s love of golf led him to work at Laurel Oaks Golf Course and then the Palms Golf Club at Forest Lakes, where he soon served as Assistant GM.

Jim and his wife Melinda have been married for 45 years and have five children and three grandchildren.