Naples, Fla?

« **on:** January 19, 2006, 05:11:15 PM »

I saw the thread earlier about golf in the Florida corridor from cape coral north. Is thwere anything, public or private that is super-stellar, INTERESTING in design and reasonably priced in or around Naples (maybe within 40 minute drive?)

« **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2006, 05:37:29 PM »

I have not played, it, but a friend enjoyed Hideout GC in Naples by Kelly Moran:

http://www.kellyblakemoran.com/hideoutphotogallery.html

« **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2006, 06:01:59 PM »

The Hideout is probably the best down here...... I hope you know somebody. If you do know somebody, you should also try Naples National, Calusa Pines or Royal Poinciana. If you don't know anybody, try Tiburon, Palmira is good, either of the Bonita Bay East courses are excellent, Twin Eagles is my favorite and finally, if you don't know anybody at all, public courses are very few, try Valencia and there is always the Beach Club. Look for courses that are fairly new and haven't sold out yet.

Steve
Naples

« **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2006, 07:59:14 PM »

Jay,

I played Tiburon Gold in November, and while it was very fun I don't remember many of the holes. I would not put it in the great architecture category, but it was a solid course. The practice area and staff were excellent, and 13, 14, and 18 were nice holes.

« **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2006, 08:58:27 PM »

Although I haven't played them, others to consider from friends who have are:

West Bay Club-private-Pete& P.B. Dye
OldeCypress- private-P.B. Dye
Olde Florida-private- Rees Jones
CC Everglades- private- Rees Jones
Naples Grande-semi private- Rees Jones
Old Collier-private-Fazio

I have played Old Orange at Verandah(Cupp) in N. Ft. Myers. It's private.I liked it. Ron Whitten wrote a nice review of it at golfdigest.com

« **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2006, 09:10:02 PM »

Quote from: Steve_ Shaffer on January 19, 2006, 08:58:27 PM

Although I haven't played them, others to consider from friends who have are:

West Bay Club-private-Pete& P.B. Dye
OldeCypress- private-P.B. Dye
Olde Florida-private- Rees Jones
CC Everglades- private- Rees Jones
Naples Grande-semi private- Rees Jones
Old Collier-private-Fazio

I have played Old Orange at Verandah(Cupp) in N. Ft. Myers. It's private.I liked it. Ron Whitten wrote a nice review of it at golfdigest.com

Veranda is good, forgot about that one.
West Bay is hard...that's about all it's got going for it
Olde Cypress is fun
Old Florida is overrated, nice clubhouse, though.

Steve

« **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2006, 09:26:26 PM »

Another new private is Tuscany Reserve by Pete Dye/Norman.

« **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2006, 09:50:07 PM »

Played a little bit down there, and my favorite is the Beach Club, very old school FLA, with a ton of great trees (yes, great trees, a few banyans even), and some good holes. I also liked Valencia, pretty wide open, pretty fun.

« **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2006, 05:59:14 AM »

Quote from: JNC_Lyon on January 19, 2006, 09:50:07 PM

Played a little bit down there, and my favorite is the Beach Club, very old school FLA, with a ton of great trees (yes, great trees, a few banyans even), and some good holes. I also liked Valencia, pretty wide open, pretty fun.

The Beach Club lost a bunch of Banyans in the hurricane as did all of Naples. Valencia is one of my favorites. Neither track is likely to get the GCA seal of approval, though.

Steve

« **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2006, 07:05:55 AM »

Although I've yet to get the time to play it (I have seen a great set of pix) Calusa Pines (Dana Fry) looks exceptional.

People I know who have played it simpley rave about it's architecture. It's high on my list to get to see.

« **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2006, 11:54:50 AM »

Steves choice looked interesting...the Dye option. Anybody know anything further about it? I'll check out more on Tiburon and Hideout.

Here is the story for you. I wanna do something nice for my 80 y/o dad and 70 y/o mom. They've played golf all their lives and have been only muni and lousy resort course players forever. They live up in Utica, where, until Hiawatha landing (1:45 away), there was nothing but goat tracks. (please dont say "turning stone"...it's a big joke up there, $175 a round for that place...and comparing themselves to Augusta and Pinehurst and Whistling Straits and Kiawah...and that's for another thread...)

Anyway, my dad wont fly. PERIOD. NON-NEGOTIABLE.

Now add this in. They have taken the exact same 17 day vacation twice a year for 20 consecutive years...Hilton Head to play the Fazio courses at Palmetto Dunes.

Thats 40 consecutive times. The same exact vacation...for 17 days.

Naturally, I'm pulling my hair out raving about the wonders I have seen and all I get is a perfunctory "that's nice." Bandon Dunes, Monterey Peninsula, Tobacco Road, "That's nice." Arcadia Bluffs, High Pointe, Crystal Downs, "That's nice." Black Rock, Bethpage, Talking Stick, "That's Nice."

SO naturally dad says we're doing something different this year, you can recommend a place for us to play...and he picks...seemingly out of a hat..."Naples Florida!"

***cricket, cricket, cricket***

Dad will you drive a couple hours for truly great golf instead of mediocre...after all, you drove 24 hours to get down there...

Non-negotiable.

***cricket, cricket, cricket***

Anyway, thats the dilemma...so with that for a background? Where is there someplace truly special that they can "cross a good one off the list" so to speak? Are either Tiburon or Hideout that good? Or the Dye Course? I'd rather just kidnap them and drive to World Woods...or even PGA Village...or hell, hit Sawgrass on the way down.

« **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2006, 01:35:20 PM »

Hammock Bay in Naples is a great course. I think it is only a few years old. It was designed by Peter Jacobson. Has sea shells as all the waste areas. Has a hole that looks like hell's half-acre. Overall a great course. Highly recommended!

« **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2006, 01:41:50 PM »

people have praised Hideout a lot Jay

I've also heard GREAT things about Calusa Pines, if you can get them on there

« **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2006, 02:26:34 PM »

Calusa Pines would be my choice in Naples.

« **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2006, 02:40:08 PM »

Yeah, I took alook on the internet and calusa pines was written up well and had a great designer in Hurdzan and team. hideout looks great too!

« **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2006, 04:16:24 PM »

-hideout (private)- great track designed by kelly blake moran
-calusa pines (private)- wonderful reviews, great caddie program- dr. michael hurzdan and dana fry
-hole in the wall (private)-dick wilson gem
-naples national (private)-imppeccable shape, tepid pine valley imitation by dr. michael hurzdan
-old collier (private)- super pricey design by tom fazio with caddies

« **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2006, 05:01:11 PM »

I played Fiddle Sticks many years ago and remember it being okay. It's been too long to remember any specifics.

« **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2006, 05:22:54 AM »

I am always surprised at what low esteem the members of GCA hold Naples National. I can only assume that they haven't played it or haven't played it very often. There is not a weak hole on that course and it is very challenging and strategic from every set of tees. If I was coming to town and could get on an ultra exclusive course, Naples National would be among my top three:

Naples National
The Hideout
Old Collier

Take your pick, they are all great courses.

Steve

« **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2006, 05:36:16 AM »

Reasonably priced was part of the criteria and if access can be obtained those 3 fail on that point.

« **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2006, 08:21:53 AM »

Quote from: bill weber on January 21, 2006, 05:36:16 AM

Reasonably priced was part of the criteria and if access can be obtained those 3 fail on that point.

This is Naples. "Reasonably priced" doesn't exist.

Steve

« **Reply #20 on:** January 23, 2006, 08:48:14 AM »

I'm amazed by the lack of high quality public access golf. in the Ft. Myers - Marco Island corridor. The places are all private and the. Not everyone who winters there can belong to these places. I would think, however as a developer your return is probably much higher w/ the homes/highend private route rather than public access.

Anyone play either of the courses at Grey Oaks? I have a friend who loves it there.

« **Reply #21 on:** January 23, 2006, 09:12:25 AM »

Quote from: Jay Flemma on January 20, 2006, 11:54:50 AM

Anyway, thats the dilemma...so with that for a background? Where is there someplace truly special that they can "cross a good one off the list" so to speak? Are either Tiburon or Hideout that good? Or the Dye Course? I'd rather just kidnap them and drive to World Woods...or even PGA Village...or hell, hit Sawgrass on the way down.

Jay - I don't think there is anything in Naples where you will "cross a good one off the list", but the mentioned courses are certainly fun tracks for the day, even if not memorable or "great" architecture. For that IMO World Woods and Sawgrass are the only accessible ones on your way to Naples. As mentioned that area fees will be very expensive this time of year. If access isn't an issue, then of course southeast FL has plenty of great clubs to cross off a list. Let me know if you are interested in hitting Sawgrass, depending on timing I could arrange there.

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