Back
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. - There are "golf resorts," and then there's "resort golf." There are clear differences between the two.
Hardcore golf resorts - think the Bandon Dunes and Pinehursts of the world - are centered around the playing of the game as the main reason why people visit. Sure, there are spas and (increasingly strong) F&B options along with other amenities, but golf is the main focus. Increasing levels of course architectural sophistication, plus the other golf trappings, drive the best of these destinations.
"Resort golf" reverses the word order and changes the meaning completely. These are properties where the clientele's agendas are much more varied. The hotels are big and probably cater more to families, corporate business or a mix of both. Golf is not an afterthought so much as it is a part of the offering, but perhaps not the heart. Design-wise, such courses tend to be milder and less taxing, more geared towards business groups of varying abilities and individuals who are looking for a few relaxing hours.
Just north of Naples, Saltleaf Golf Preserve sits squarely in the "resort golf" category and points to how that genre of course has improved in recent years. Opened just before the calendar turned from 2023 to 2024, it represents a total overhaul of the former Raptor Bay Golf Club and remains closely associated with the nearby Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa.
Raymond Floyd designed Raptor Bay, and he was brought back in to advise when more than half of the routing was commandeered in order to accommodate the construction of a new Ritz-Carlton Residences complex. As a result, Floyd repurposed nine of the holes and dipped into a flat, forested parcel where holes 11 through 17 now sit. His team also fashioned a breezy 9-hole walking-only par-3 course, The Leaf, out of Raptor Bay's former 10th and 11th holes. As a result, Saltleaf Golf Preserve has increased its complement of golf, albeit at the cost of its driving range (now a large multi-station warmup net).
Raptor Bay was rather unconventional among Florida golf courses in that it was technically bunkerless. Waste areas of tan sand and crushed shells lined many of the holes, adding interesting visual texture. There was no formal long grass rough. Saltleaf is similarly devoid of formal sandy hazards, but has acres more grass to provide cushy landings, even off the fairways. The waste areas have mostly been de-emphasized, although many that remain are bordered by intriguing berms of stacked artificial sod, often placed to prevent a low running ball from straying into wetlands. These features figure prominently on the shortish par-4 2nd hole, where their verticality obscure the landing area, which is angled away from the tees.
Saltleaf upholds another of Raptor Bay's interesting traits. The greens are mostly elevated to just above eye-level, such that judging distance on one's approach shots is trickier than normal. On a couple of occasions, I hit a shot that looked like it was within 10 feet of the cup, only to find it 30 or more long or short. This visual trickery adds some challenge for the lower-handicap player while keeping things friendly for the more casual-golf visitor.
The best hole at Saltleaf Golf Preserve is the first of the totally new ones. After a lengthy cart ride across preserved wetlands, golfers arrive at the sub-300-yard 11th, whose fairway bends around tall, skinny pines. The characteristically elevated green teases golfers, perched above two of the stacked-sod walls set just far enough back to goad players into having a go at the green from the tee. Many short par 4s are drivable in name only, but from the correct set of tees, many golfers can get an eagle putt or short chip on this one.
Saltleaf Golf Preserve's green fees top out around $289 in the peak winter season. For golfers who play the 18-hole "Preserve" loop, a trip around the 9-hole par-3 Leaf course costs $30.
SALTLEAF GOLF PRESERVE (PRESERVE)
— Tim Gavrich (@TimGavrich) March 28, 2024
Bonita Springs, Fla.
Raymond Floyd, 2001/2022
$289
Course #612
A land-swap forced a total overhaul here. Still no formal bunkers but long rough has replaced most of what sand came into play before. Eye-level greens still make for some intrigue. pic.twitter.com/7FO0TpATa9
More golf course news and notes
LANDMAND SISTER COURSE REVAMP - Trevor Dormer, who has helped build several courses for Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw, will embark on his first solo project starting this fall: a complete rebuild of Old Dane Golf Club, a rural Nebraska nine-holer owned by the Andersen family, who oversee nearby Landmand Golf Club. Dormer will turn the flat 93-acre tract into a 12-hole walking course with quirky features including a green "that is going to be like a loaf of bread." [LINK: Golf Course Industry]
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG REVERSAL - Spotswood, the shuttered short course beside Colonial Williamsburg's Golden Horseshoe Gold and Green courses, will be revived as The Shoe, a 9-hole par-3 course that is part of an evolving development scheme for the property. [LINK: Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily]
GARY PANKS (1941-2024) - The golf course architect known for several appealing desert layouts - The Raven Golf Club in Phoenix; Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico and more - passed away March 19. He was 82. [LINK: ASGCA]
NEW RESORT NEAR ST. ANDREWS? - Plans for Feddinch Golf Club has been proposed and deflected multiple times. Will they come to fruition this time? [LINK: The Courier]
GOLF-ADJACENT - Las Vegas is alt-golf-crazy, with four new golf-themed food/drink/entertainment venues coming online in 2024, including a PopStroke and something called Swingers Crazy Golf. [LINK: Eater Las Vegas]
Comments (0)