Ft. Myers area -- any must- (should-) play publics?

[Rick Shefchik]

For anyone who knows the Ft. Myers area -- My wife and I will be there next week, taking a golf break from Minnesota. We'll be playing with friends who like a bargain, but I always like to try one higher-end public when I'm on the road.

I can't recall any public courses in Ft. Myers that get talked about much on GCA, but I wouldn't mind a recommendation in case something decent has escaped my attention. Thanks much.

[Jason Topp]

Rick:

I have spent a fair amount of time researching Fort Myers public golf because we scheduled a trip to Fiddlesticks in March.  After buying the tickets Fiddlesticks changed its member-guest to the weekend we arrive.  

I'll paste my list below which focuses on value for the dollar with a secondary consideration being courses close to my father in Punta Gorda.  The short notes are mine.  The stars indicate what seemed like the best options to me.  The longer commentary is cut and pasted from a variety of sources but I think primarily come from http://florida.twoguyswhogolf.com/  

I have only played River Hall from the list which I enjoyed.  None of the other information is based on experience.

If anyone has comments on my list please let me know.

Bobcat Trail Golf Club ***
http://www.bobcattrailgc.com/tee-times.aspx  $79
Bobcat is located just off I-75 in North Port, which is between Sarasota and Ft Myers. The course was designed around a housing development by Bob Tway and Lee Singletary, and plays to 6748 yards, 140 slope from the tips. It's a definite course management layout with a lot of "risk/reward" shots, which for me didn't end well. While the course has wide rolling fairways, which are mostly forgiving off the tee, there's water on all but two holes. The greens and fairway landing areas are well guarded by bunkers throughout the course. The greens are medium sized and roll quick and true. Highly regarded by the golf pubs as a course to play, excellent conditioning, and decent pace of play.

Clewiston


  http://www.clewiston.govoffice2.com/vertical/Sites/%7BA3948E69-25D1-4311-9C3F-1D1D8092A938%7D/uploads/%7BBCBE25F9-4B4B-411E-9631-63FE314EC872%7D.DOC

The course was established in 1929, opened for play on Sunday, February 23, 1929, for a fifty-cent daily fee, or for two dollars per month, the whole family could play.  The original course was designed by Stiles and Van Kleeck, golf architects of New York, NY and St. Petersburg, FL, and Captain Deane Duff, general manager of the Clewiston Company, under whose direction the then-new course was constructed.  The Clewiston Company was to become the United States Sugar Corporation.
A five-hole course had already been in use at the Clewiston Civic Center Park in downtown Clewiston while the construction was being completed.

Dress Code:
$   Proper golf attire is required at all times.
$   Tank tops and halter-tops are not permitted.  Men must wear shirts with sleeves.
$   Running shorts, cycling shorts and swimsuits are also prohibited.
$   Denim jeans are permitted provided that they are in acceptable condition.
$   No cutoffs.
$   Shorts must be mid-thigh length or longer.
$   Shoes (suitable for golf courses) are to be worn at all times.

60 mile drive - $40 w/cart first round, $20 replay

Colonial Golf Club

http://www.colonialgolfclub.com/index.php
 $130/110


Copperhead Golf Club ***
http://www.copperheadgc.com/golf/proto/copperheadgolfclub/index.htm

Close to airport.  Looks relatively intereresting and looks like a lot of empty lots

7 Day - (239) 369-8200
CopperHead is in the Lehigh Acres area, but not at all like the golf normally found here. Lehigh is one of those planned Florida communities that's been around 40+ years, and still has lots for sale. It's just east of Ft. Myers, east of I-75. The course was designed by Gordy Lewis and has the typical Florida water throughout, including island tees, and pine tree lined fairways playing to raised greens. From the back tees it's 6680 yards, with a 136 slope, but four other sets of tees. The front is more difficult with tighter tree and wetland lined fairways, while the back is more open off the tee, but both sides are not all that forgiving around the large greens, either protected by bunkering or hazards. Nice course, in good shape, reasonable rates.

Eagle Ridge Golf Club
http://www.playeagleridge.com/

$69 – 5 day advance

Eagle Ridge is more of a old standard locals course, off Daniels Road, just west of the airport and I-75. It's routed through an upscale residential community, parkland style course with a lot of water or wetlands, and sand bordering the fairways. From the back tees it's 6535 yards, 123 slope, and was designed by Gordy Lewis in 1985.
TwEagle Ridge is one of the best golfing values in the Ft. Myers area, and is a favorite for local golfers. The 6 ,500-yard championship layout is framed by native pine and cypress trees, and laced with lakes and waterways.  The terrain is fairly level, making this a good experience for average players and beginners. There is enough water and sand to make the day an interesting one from the tips for skilled players as well.

Eastwood and Fort Myers CC

1 Day advance times
http://www.cityftmyers.com/Default.aspx?tabid=440


Heron Creek Golf & Country Club
http://www.heron-creek.com/fees.htm

4 day advance tee times

Heron Creek is a 27 hole Arthur Hills designed course routed through an upscale residential community just south of Sarasota. Oak, Pine and Palmetto, each similar, and all very good solid layouts. A little bit of topography change here, unusual in Florida, and good mounding on the fairways as it's routed through stands of oak , pine and palmetto, and around the homesites, but pretty much has the feeling of a protected wetlands/wildlife area. Five sets of tees, and from the tips all combinations of courses could play to 6800 yards or so with slope ratings of 140 on the Oaks/Marsh, 143 on the Marsh/Creek, and 141 Creek/Oaks all from the back tees.

Magnolia Landing
$75 am
$60 after 1
2 Day advance

https://www.memberstatements.com/login/login.cfm?destination=%2Fhome%2Fhome%2Ecfm


Old Corkscrew Golf
http://www.1stopforgolf.com/golf-courses/usa/florida-golf-courses/naples-golf-courses/old-corkscrew.htm
Old Corkscrew is a Jack Nicklaus design through the Florida swamp in Estero, off I-75 between Ft. Myers and Bonita Springs. It's probably the toughest, most expensive, and well conditioned course open to the public in Southwest Florida. They're trying to be a private club so the rates at high, trying to keep the public play down, and it might be worth it to play it once. Just a gorgeous design with water on almost every hole, and sculptured long and deep bunkers along the fairways and greens. The greens are mid to large sized, somewhat elevated, and with good undulations and fast for Florida Not that many play it from here, but the tips are 7393 yards,142 slope with three other tees, no houses or development, just golf in a pristine environment. Mostly parkland style with tree lined or natural areas bordering the undulating fairways. A pleasure to play in this environment, well conditioned, won't be available for public play long.
River Hall

http://www.hamptongolfclubs.com/RHall.html#

$75
1 Week advance -  (239) 313-GOLF
 Private club, designed by Davis Love, routed through what's trying to be a housing development, and open to the public while they build their membership base. 7200 yards from the back tees, 136 slope, flat, a lot of water and sand, and an interesting design, but on the expensive side. Mostly straightforward course, roomy off the tee, challenging around the greens. Conditions are starting to suffer, but still worth play, at least for now.
 


Riverwood Golf Club
Edit this info
Riverwood is a semi private course on the way to the Gulf, about five miles west of Port Charlotte off US 41. The course is routed through an upscale residential community and is a very high quality design, excellent clubhouse facilities, and maintained in good condition. The front nine is more parkland style, while the back is through the marsh and wetlands. It was designed by Gene Bates and is 7,000 yards from the black tees, 137 slope and 74.2 course rating. Typical of Florida development, there's water on every hole except the three closing holes. Best option for an upscale course in this area of Port Charlotte.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - In an area considered one of the top metro areas in the country for golf, River wood Golf Club is almost certainly the best course in the Punta Gorda area.
Riverwood is a Gene Bates design that is thoughtfully laid out, consistently demanding throughout with a handful of spectacular holes. The conditioning is first-class and - get this - it's cheaper than a roadside corn dog. Green fees range from $30-$50 for the public and $21-$25 for member guests. Get a summer card and it will set you back only $24, any time of day.

http://www.riverwoodgc.com/

$100 – looks nice

Royal Tee
http://www.1stopforgolf.com/golf-courses/usa/florida-golf-courses/naples-golf-courses/eagle-ridge.htm

Shell Point **

Looks like a pretty simple design

http://www.shellpointgolf.com/golf/proto/shellpointgolf/course/course.htm

30 day advance tee times

On property is a simple clubhouse with pro shop and snack bar/patio, and practice facilities that include a grass range and practice green. UpLink GPS - one of the best systems available, is standard on all golf carts. Lessons are available, and the course and facilities make this a popular tournament venue. The best part however are the incredibly competitive rates (green fees including cart top off at $79 in 2005/06) - a great value for a course of this stature in the Sanibel/Fort Myers area.


Stoneybrook Golf Course ***
7 Days advance $105/$90/$60 after 1
Looks Wide – 20 minute drive
Conveniently located at I-75 and Corkscrew Rd (exit 123), Stoneybrook lies mid-way between Naples and Ft. Myers, FL, and just two exits south of Southwest FL International Airport.
7353 yards from the tips, 141 slope, designed by Jed Azinger and Gordy Lewis and located south of Ft. Myers in Estero in Stoneybrook a residential development. It's one of the longest courses in Florida and has seven sets of tees. The routing is through wetland mitigation areas and forests of pines, oaks, and cypress heads with water and bunkers throughout the layout. Good stiff challenge depending on the tees you select, well kept, and reasonable rates, more of a locals course though.
http://www.stoneybrookgolffm.com/


TIBURON GOLF CLUB
2620 Tiburon Drive, Naples, Florida 34109

http://www.1stopforgolf.com/golf-courses/usa/florida-golf-courses/naples-golf-courses/tiburon.htm



Valencia

http://www.valenciagolfandcountryclub.com/

7 Day - $79


Westminster
http://www.westminster-golf.com/

[Rory Connaughton]

Old Corkscrew is quite good.

[Rick Shefchik]

Wow, Jason. I should have just called you. I always had you down as the Arizona go-to guy. Thanks for all the help.

[Bryan Izatt]

Of the ones Jason has listed I'd second Old Corkscrew and River Hall.  Stoneybrook is OK - the price is good for the area and it has the widest range of tee blocks, if your wife is playing.  Tiburon is nothing special and expensive. 

Pelican Preserve is decent and pretty reasonable.  Old Orange is pretty good.

If you want to drive a bit, Venetian Golf and River is very entertaining - interesting architectural features.

[Andy Troeger]

Eastwood is usually pretty well priced and a very worthwhile track. Unfortunately, everyone down there knows it and getting a tee time can be very difficult. You can only call one day in advance.

Old Corkscrew is a better course, very tough, but much more expensive. Still recommended.

Royal Tee is pretty awful.

[Jason Topp]

Has anyone played Bobcat Trail?

[Ron Csigo]

I'll second Tiburon at the Ritz Carlton.  Both courses are good.

Although I have not played it in quite some time, Naples Grande, a Rees Jones design, is pretty good.

[Billsteele]

A few years ago, I spent a couple of days in Venice and played some of the courses Jason mentioned and a couple he did not.

If you are adventurous and don't mind driviing about an hour, I would second Bryan's recommendation of the Venetian Golf and River Club. It's been mentioned a few times on the board and is pretty interesting (a Biarritz green, some interesting green sites, some target golf aspects... but in Florida you are typically going to get that on many public golf courses).

I enjoyed my round at Riverwood. When I was there, it was fairly windy and there is a lot of water and some target golf elements present. However, it was well done and I did not feel like my time there was wasted.

I also played the Old Orange course at the Verandah development in Fort Myers. This is the Bob Cupp designed course (I believe there is also a Nicklaus course on the property now). While falling into the stereotypical Florida golf course category (flat, lots of water hazards, built through a housing development), I enjoyed it and would not hesitate to play it again. The plan was for these courses to be private but access was not too difficult a few years ago and I doubt that has changed given the economic realities of current times.

I played all 27 holes at Heron Creek and it was okay. Solid, not spectacular nor memorable. I would place it behind the others that I mentioned playing. The best thing about it is that it is pretty reasonably priced and when I was in Venice over this past Chrismas the local paper had coupons for the course every day.

I have not played Bobcat Trail but I did drive over to the course to see if it piqued my curiosity. From what I saw from the clubhouse area and driving around the perimeter of the course, I was not very impressed and made no effort to get back and play it during my stay. It seemed pretty uninspired but that is certainly not based on an exhaustive analysis of the course.

Eastwood has a fairly good reputation (I think it's a Devlin-Von Hagge design). However, as noted by everyone, it is the Southwest Florida version of Bethpage Black as far as getting a tee time. However, the course is now on Facebook so it has that going for it.   http://www.facebook.com/#!/EastwoodGolfClub?ref=nf

[Evan Fleisher]

I would personally NOT bother with Eastwood, did not care for it at all.

I have played both Old Corkscrew and River Hall and would highly recommend both.