This is Naples National, in Naples, FL, designed by Michael
Hurdzan. Once a Top 100 course, this Pine Valley-like oasis
of sand (though on flat land) tried to attract the jet set crowd
to this retirement haven of SW FL. It also hosted the LPGA
Tour's World Championship of Women's Golf in 1994, won by
Dottie Pepper (mentioned previously).
The layout/color aerial is here (previously shown by Dan G):
and pics:
from the web site:
http://www.naplesnationalgolfclub.com/other clues include:
"cannoli" and "Bonjourno" are Italian terms, of
which "Naples" / Napoli is a major city in Italy. Also "The
city this course is in has a sister city by name where you can
get a very good original style pizza"
"a doctor leave his mark on this course" = "Dr. Hurdzan"
"Is this course a textbook design?" = Hurdzan wrote the
book "Golf Course Architecture: Design, Construction &
Restoration"
"has a name with similarities to a couple of recent AOTD's" = "National"
"National"
"First AOTD shown from this very retirement-centerred part
of this state" = SW FL
"Besides having part of the name in common with the AOTD
from 2 days ago, the CRs and slopes are also very close
(high, meaning this is a brute, too, though this one's about
230 yards shorter). Dallas "National" was 76.1, 155, NN is
76.2, 150.
"An alliterative name." = NN
"Gulf" of Mexico nearby
Hurdzan and Fry now have Calusa Pines nearby NN, which is
#62 on GW's Modern list.