15 Oct 2013
Golf enthusiasts looking for a new holiday destination can head to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in south west Florida which has over 30 courses set against a backdrop of award-winning beaches and beautiful nature reserves. The courses benefit from year round sun and differ in size and difficulty to suit beginners, experts and families.
According to the National Golf Foundation, the area has one of the top holes-per capita rankings, with a variety of choices and layouts, many of which have been designed by famous golf architects. Golfers can play on award winning sea view courses, private island courses and even walk in the footsteps of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford by playing on the classic 1917 course.
Many of the courses are set out around nature reserves and fragile environments with protected wildlife, which the courses are committed to preserving, meaning the golfers can explore the area's stunning scenery and wildlife whilst playing a round of golf.
Top golf courses to visit in The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel area include:
Resort courses
Raptor Bay Golf Club at The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs
Raptor Bay Golf Club is the first resort golf course in the world to be certified by Audubon International as a Gold Signature Sanctuary. The 18 hole course is nestled within the resort's 500-acre property which has 22 acres of lakes and more than 200 acres of native vegetation and nature preserves. Each hole was designed to blend with the environment, leaving a course that accentuates its natural surroundings. The course is available to resort guests, as well as the public. Green fees range from £60 (October, May)- £104 (December- April). For more information: http://bit.ly/LL4W2a/
South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island
The Captiva Island Golf Club at South Seas Island Resort is ranked as one of the Top Five Short Courses in the world by the Professional Golfers Association. The nine hole, par 27 course has stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound from any hole. Green fees are £35 before 11am and £26 after 11am. For more information: www.southseas.com/ +1 239-472-5111
The Gasparilla Inn & Club, Boca Grande
Located on Gasparilla Island, the Gasparilla Inn & Club features a Pete Dye signature 18-hole, par 72 championship course on the scenic Charlotte Harbor. Situated on its own private island, the Gasparilla Golf Club is considered the crown jewel of this historic resort and has sea views from every hole. The course is only available to resort guests and green fees are £72. Course is open from 10 October- 1 July. For more information: www.gasparillainn.com/ +1 941-964-2201
Open to the public
The Dunes Golf Course, Sanibel Island
The 18 hole, par 70 championship Dunes Golf Course at the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club was designed by 10-time PGA winner, Mark McCumber. Set against a wildlife preserve, the course offers incredible views and the only practice range on Sanibel and Captiva islands. Green fees range from £31 (June- September) - £75 (January- April). For more information: www.dunesgolfsanibel.com/ +1 239-472-2535
Beachview Golf Club, Sanibel Island
The 18 hole, par 70 golf course wraps around Sanibel River, offering a challenge for advanced players. Green fees are £59 from January to April, £30 (18 hole) or £24 (nine hole) from April to October and £43 in November. For more information www.beachviewgolfclub.com/+1 239-472-2626
The Old Corkscrew Golf Club, Signature Jack Nicklaus Course, Estero
Designed by golfing great, Jack Nicklaus, Old Corkscrew rests on 275 acres of natural preserve with cypress, tall pines, mature oaks and nesting colonies of wood storks, egrets and herons. It was listed as a “must play” by Golf Magazine in 2011 and is the area's only stand-alone Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Green fees are £53 (£31 after 1pm) from June- October; £77 (£52 after 1pm) from 25 October- 24 December; £111 (£49 after 1pm) from 25 December- 31 March. For more information: www.oldcorkscrew.com/+1239-949-4700
Country Creek Golf Course, Estero
The 18 hole, par 61 golf course has an island green at hole 18. Green fees are from £11 from April- October. For more information: www.villagesatcountrycreek.org/ +1 239-947-3840
Fort Myers Country Club, Fort Myers
This classic 1917 Donald Ross walking course was enjoyed by Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in the 1920s. Built in the heart of Fort Myers, the club is one mile from the famed Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Green fees are £9 (walking)/ £18 (riding) from May- October; £14 (walking)/ £24 (riding) in November, December and April and £21 (walking)/ £37 (riding) in January, February and April. For more information: www.cityftmyers.com/+1 239-936-3126
Shell Point Golf Club, Fort Myers
Designed by Gordon Lewis, the architect of some of the finest golf courses in Florida, the 18 hole course features challenging fairways, winding water hazards, and eight tees on every hole. Green fees are from £49 from January- March, from £22 from May- September and from £37 from November- December. Golf in October is for members only. For more information: www.shellpointgolf.com/+1 239-433-9790
Eagle Ridge Golf & Tennis Club, Fort Myers
The 18 hole par 72 golf course has a championship layout with plentiful wildlife and was designed by golf architect Gordon Lewis. Green fees are £19 from June- September, £28 in October, £30 from November- December, £45 from January- March, £40 in April and £28 in May. For more information: www.layeagleridge.com/+1 239-768-1888
Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club, Fort Myers
The 36 hole, par 72 golf course is open to the public from April to December. GPS systems have recently been added to all golf buggies. The course is only open to the public from May to November and green fees are from £23. For more information: www.hpgcc.com/ +1 239-278-9090
San Carlos Golf Club, Fort Myers
San Carlos Golf Club is a traditional golf course in a natural setting and is located five minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). Green fees are from £16 during the summer months. For more information: www.sancarlosgolfclub.com/+1 239-267-3131
Coral Oaks Golf Course, Cape Coral
Owned and operated by the City of Cape Coral, the 18 hole, par 72 course is sculpted around century-old oak trees and eight lakes. The contoured fairways, Tif-Eagle greens and the strategic placement of bunkers were designed to offer an exciting challenge for every golfer. Green fees are from £43 from January- March, £28 in April, November and December and £13 from May- October. For more information: www.coraloaks.com/+1 239-573-3100.
Del Tura Country Club, North Fort Myers
The 27 hole, par 61 golf course is one of the top executive golf courses in southwest Florida. Golfers will use most of the clubs in their bag. Water hazards and well-contoured greens create an excellent challenge. Green fees are £15- £28 depending on the month. For more information: www.delturagolf.com/+1239-731-7814
Westminster Golf Club, Lehigh Acres
Player-friendly 18 hole, par 72 course with few water features and sand bunkers. The club has a friendly but professional atmosphere offering free drinks after play. Green fees are £22 in October, £28 from November- January, £46 from January- March and £17 in the summer months. For more information: www.westminster-golf.com/ +1 239-368-1110
Additional courses open to the public:
Alden Pines Country Club, Bokeelia
Gordon Lewis-designed course
+1 239-283-2179
Bonita Fairways Country Club
New clubhouse
www.bonitafairways.com
+1 239-947-9100
Fort Myers Beach Golf Club, Fort Myers Beach
Only course on Fort Myers Beach
www.fmbgclub.com
+1 239-283-2179
Colonial Country Club, Fort Myers
+1 239-768-9421
Cross Creek Country Club, Fort Myers
+1 239-768-1922
Eastwood Golf Course, Fort Myers
Championship layout
www.CityFtmyers.com
+1 239-321-7487
Golfview Golf & Racquet Club, Fort Myers www.golfview-grc.com
+1 239-489-2264
Stoneybrook Golf Club, Estero
Glistening lakes and preserves
www.golfatstoneybrook.com
+1 239-948-3933
El Rio Golf Club, North Fort Myers
Walk or ride course
+1 239-995-2204
Sabal Springs Golf & Racquet Club, North Fort Myers
+1 239-731-0101
Majestic Golf Club LLC, Lehigh Acres
+1 239-561-8740
Mirror Lakes Golf Club, Lehigh Acres
+1 239-369-1322
Terraverde Country Club, Fort Myers
A walking-only course.
+1 239-433-7733
Herons Glen Golf & Country Club, North Fort Myers
Recognised by National Audubon Society.
+1 239-731-4520
Copperhead Golf Club, Lehigh Acres
+1 239-369-8200
Burnt Store Marina Golf Club, Punta Gorda
www.burntstoremarina.com/ www.bsgac.org
+1 941-637-1577
Pelican Preserve Golf Club, Fort Myers
www.pelicanpreservelifestyles.com
+1 239-985-1700
For more information and packages, visit www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/discover/on-land/golf-and-sports/. Follow us on Twitter:@ftmyerssanibel and Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FtMyersSanibel.
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For further information or images please contact Jules Ugo or Amelia Astley Birtwistle at Lotus UK on 0207 593 7470 or firstname@lotus-uk.co.uk
In the United States please contact Nancy Hamilton at The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel on 001(239) 338 3500 or NHamilton@leegov.com
EDITOR'S NOTES: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.
