SW FL golf questions

[theo]

The subject of golf having arisen here recently, I'd like to ask for some input:

We will have an old friend visiting for a few days in the Fort Myers Beach area in February / March. While golf doesn't usually much interest me, I know that he'll want to play (at least once, with me). Here's what little I know, in hopes that someone can chime in with more useful info:

1. There is a course right on Fort Meyers Beach (I've bicycled past on the Bay side streets), but I don't recall it's name and I don't know if it's public or private.

2. At Lehigh Acres, where my buddy and I have a common friend we'll surely visit together one day, the Lehigh Resort & Club has recently purchased "another 9 holes". Having never played there to begin with, I don't know anything about the 9 holes which they apparently already had. I don't own there (and don't want to), but am wondering if non-owners can play there and if it's a full scale course or a "par 3" course.

3. Are there any other public courses near to FMB? Being far less than a devoted golfer, the less travel involved off FMB the happier I'll be.

Any input, comments, recommendations welcomed and appreciated.

 

[JLB]

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56419&page=2

Post 33 is right on point.

Unless something has changed recently, and it might have because the original Admiral Lehigh 18 holes that surrounded LRC was going to be torn down. The last anyone posted about it, the locals, those who have property on or near the course, were up in arms because they did not want commercial development coming into that area.

I believe a public meeting about it was scheduled. That was awhile back.

But, I would be very surprised if the timeshare resort wound up with it, which your wording indicates, although it would greatly enhance LRC, IMO. Running and maintaining a golf course is not something for the inexperienced.

But, whattya know, doing some googling, I see that course is now listed as Greentree Resorts!!!

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&u...atlng=26607696,-81606025,16567365630419264995

That would be worth a phone call to see what's going on.

I've never played the course on FMB, the one fairly near Tropical Sands. My experience is the same yours, having driven by it quite a few times, to get to other courses.

There are some established, decent-looking public courses in Ft. Myers.

If Lehigh Acres is a possibility, you don't mind the drive, here's a list of the courses there:

http://www.thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/FL/LehighAcres.htm

 

[JLB]

efloridagolf shows 206 SW FL courses:

http://www.efloridagolf.com/Region.aspx?Region=Southwest Florida

 

[theo]

Thanks

JLB, thanks for the input.

Re: >> Unless something has changed recently, and it might have because the original Admiral Lehigh 18 holes that surrounded LRC was going to be torn down. The last anyone posted about it, the locals, those who have property on or near the course, were up in arms because they did not want commercial development coming into that area.<<
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It is my understanding that as recently as just a very few weeks ago (October 1, 2007, to be precise), the Lehigh Resort and Club OPENED "the back 9" which they acquired earlier this year. It is my further understanding that the purchase was made via a special assessment imposed upon current LRC owners, supposedly after a "majority" vote to do so. This info (disclaimer here) originally came directly from the one fellow who runs the resale offfice at LRC, who was contacted about two weeks ago by a friend considering buying a week there (something I subsequently talked him out of pursuing, since one can rent or exchange into LRC virtually anytime, almost at will). The ownership claim also seems to be reinforced on the LRC web site....

 

[JoAnn]

JLB, thanks for the input.

Re: >> Unless something has changed recently, and it might have because the original Admiral Lehigh 18 holes that surrounded LRC was going to be torn down. The last anyone posted about it, the locals, those who have property on or near the course, were up in arms because they did not want commercial development coming into that area.<<
======================================

It is my understanding that as recently as just a very few weeks ago (October 1, 2007, to be precise), the Lehigh Resort and Club OPENED "the back 9" which they acquired earlier this year. It is my further understanding that the purchase was made via a special assessment imposed upon current LRC owners, supposedly after a "majority" vote to do so. This info (disclaimer here) originally came directly from the one fellow who runs the resale office at LRC, who was contacted about two weeks ago by a friend considering buying a week there (something I subsequently talked him out of pursuing, since one can rent or exchange into LRC virtually anytime, almost at will). The ownership claim also seems to be reinforced on the LRC web site....

Theo is correct that the Lehigh resort DOES OWN the back 9, and is open for play. From what I've read, (and hopefully John K aka Kozman will jump in here, since he comes here quite often).

The back 9 has been redone and is managed by someone who knows what he is doing. Not being a golfer, I don't keep up with the ins & outs of any of the courses in Lehigh.

The hotel/motel, and the rest of the complex (not the timeshare section) was sold to a local person/business and they are deciding what to do with the land. I've read that those buildings will be torn down, but for now, they are still up. There was talk of a hotel/motel going up in part of the location, but, as far as I know, nothing has been done or planned.

There are also other golf courses in Lehigh: Majestic; Mirror Lakes (both near us) Copperhead and Westminster. If any want any information, I would be happy to call around for you.

 

[rapmarks]

I only played the Admiral Lehigh course once, but i thought the resort bordered on holes on the front nine, and the back nine was further out. Am i remembering it incorrectly? what kind of assessment did the Lehigh Resort owners have topay to buy the nine holes. For golfers, that is a nice addition.

Also, in answer to the original question abouot golf courses near Fort Myers Beach, I think one of the Fort Myers city courses is along the river on MacGregor not really far from Fort Myers Beach.

 

[JLB]

I never played that course, either, but just plain common sense tells me that the front nine was the portion directly in front of the check-in area for the old Admiral Lehigh. The driving range was along the highway, heading back toward town from the resort, south or whatever direction that is.

My gut tells me the back nine wrapped around behind LRC and the Admiral Lehigh, back along the sinkhole lake I like so much. I believe that would be on the north side of the resort.

I used to take one of their rental boats out onto that lake and fish. Often it was a paddleboat, so I didn't exactly look professional like Jimmy Houston.

There was a tee box high on the bank above the lake, with the drive going over an edge of it. One day I was fishing in that area and I heard the guys up on the tee snickering at me. At exactly that time a big bass hit my Rapala topwater (black and gold #9).

The guys got quiet really quick.

Last I fished that lake they had a resident alligator and he and I got to know each other a bit.
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Coincidentally, if I'm not mistaken John is here in Branson this week. He had promised that we would get together and rekindle LRC memories, but I have not heard from him.

I had figured that whatever happens at Lehigh would be reported here by someone.

It would be nice if Lehigh got ownerships of the lake and the former office/rec center.

I assume the resale guy referred to is Brian.

 

[LynnW]

Shell Point Golf Club is located close to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. They do have a website. No rates are posted past the end of Oct but you could call.

Lynn

 

[JLB]

http://lehighresortclub.us/

http://lehighresortclub.us/Golf.html

Free summer weeks on the resale link!