Golf - The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel offer year-round, championship golf in a tropical paradise

LEE COUNTY, FL—The area is known for its award-winning beaches, world famous shelling, spectacular sunsets and all the best that Mother Nature has to offer. The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel also provides a golf mecca known for its rich golf history, championship courses designed by legends and an endless selection of choices available year-round in this tropical paradise.

From golf resorts to public municipal courses to exclusive clubs that allow public play, area courses provide opportunities for golfers of all levels. Many have views of the Gulf of Mexico, have won awards for their commitment to the preservation of the environment and all have worked to protect the area’s wildlife.

According to the National Golf Foundation, the area has one of the top holes-per capita rankings, with an endless list of choices and quality layouts that make golf easily accessible to visitors.

In addition to resorts known for their championship courses, most accommodations in the area will recommend nearby courses for their guests. Visitors may also select from the extensive list of public courses.

The "new" Old Corkscrew Golf Club opens Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
The recently-opened Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero is the area’s only stand-alone Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Open to the public, the course provides an outstanding golf experience that challenges players of all levels and is set in a natural environment. In addition to great golf, players enjoy an up close and personal encounter with the area’s unique landscape and wildlife.

Certified with the Audubon seal of approval, Old Corkscrew Golf Club’s location still reflects its original natural setting, complete with stands of cypress, magnificently tall pines, mature oaks and nesting colonies of wood storks, egrets and herons, just to name a few. Valuing wildlife and natural habitats as much as they value the game of golf, Old Corkscrew is committed to enhancing the environment. Audubon International is an environmental educational organization that focuses on sustainable development. Fewer than two percent of courses around the world have been named a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. For information and tee times, call 239-949-4700 or visit www.oldcorkscrew.com.

Local golf resorts
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs
One of the area’s newest courses, Raptor Bay is the first resort course to receive the Audubon International Gold Certification. Designed by golf legend Raymond Floyd, the 18-hole course is designed in harmony with its lush, natural setting. The course is available to resort guests as well as to the public. For information, call 239-444-1234 or visit www.coconutpointhyatt.com.

South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island
The newly redesigned Captiva Island Golf Club at South Seas Island Resort is designed by Chip Powell and ranked one of the Top-Five Short Courses in the world by the Professional Golfers Association. The course recently completed $4 million in upgrades and offers guests nine holes with stunning views on the Gulf of Mexico. Course is open to resort guests. For information, call 239-472-5111 or visit www.southseas.com.

The Gasparilla Inn & Club
Located on Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida, the newly renovated Gasparilla Inn and Club at Boca Grande recently received the designation as a "Historic Hotel of America." Golfers set their own pace on this Pete Dye, 18-hole course that offers views of Charlotte Harbor from every hole. Course is open to resort guests. For information call 941-964-2201 or visit www.gasparillainn.com.

Additional courses open to the public include:

Alden Pines Country Club, Bokeelia
Gordon Lewis-designed course
239-283-2179

Fort Myers Beach Golf Club
Only course on Fort Myers Beach
www.fmbgclub.com
239-283-2179

Beachview Golf Club, Sanibel Island
Member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program
www.beachviewgolfclub.com
239-472-2626

Bonita Fairways Country Club, Bonita Springs
New clubhouse
www.bonitafairways.com
239-947-9100

Bonita Springs Golf Club, Bonita Springs
Reopening in fall 2007 following renovation
www.bonitaspringsgolfclub.com
239-992-2800

Burnt Store Marina Golf Club, Punta Gorda
Championship layout
www.burntstoremarina.com
941-637-1577

Copperhead Golf Club, Lehigh Acres
Municipal course designed by Gordon Lewis
www.mycopperhead.com
239-369-8200

Coral Oaks Golf Course, Cape Coral
Named Best Course in Cape Coral by Fort Myers News-Press
www.coraloaks.com
239-573-3100

Country Creek Golf Course, Estero
239-947-3840

The Dunes Golf & Tennis, Sanibel Island
Abundance of wildlife
www.dunesgolfsanibel.com
239-472-2535

Eagle Ridge Golf & Tennis Club, Fort Myers
Championship layout
www.layeagleridge.com
239-768-1888

Eastwood Golf Course, Fort Myers
Championship layout
www.CityofFtmyers.com
239-275-4848

El Rio Golf Club, North Fort Myers
Walk or ride course
239-995-2204

Fort Myers Country Club, Fort Myers
Classic 1917 Donald Ross walking course enjoyed by Thomas Edison, Henry Ford
www.cityofftmyers.com
239-936-3126

Herons Glen Gold & Country Club, North Fort Myers
Recognized by National Audubon Society
www.heronsglenrecdist.com
239-731-4520

Myerlee Country Club, Fort Myers
Walk or ride
www.myerleecc.com
239-481-1440

Riverbend Golf Course & River Club, North Fort Myers
239-543-2200

Sabal Springs Golf & Racquet Club, North Fort Myers
239-731-0101

San Carlos Golf, Fort Myers
239-267-3131

Stoneybrook Golf Club, Estero
Glistening lakes and preserves
www.stoneybrookgolffm.com
239-948-3933

Terraverde Country Club, Fort Myers
Challenging nine-hole course
239-433-7733

For additional information on planning a golf vacation to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

Updated 7/07