.

Why Naples Florida Is The Golf Capital Of The World

By Jony Mozen


Situated on the southeastern shore of the Gulf of Mexico lies the golfing capital of the entire world. This is Naples Florida, a short drive south of Fort Myers. Here, you will find as many as 80 golf courses of championship standard. Naples is a principal city of the Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area of Naples-Marco Island .

While there is no clearly-defined golf season in southwest Florida, one of the best times to go is during the months of November and December, before the winter prices set in and the links are thronging with vacationers. Whatever your budget, there is a plan to suit you. During the off season, at least three dozen public and a handful of private courses remain open for the hard core enthusiasts. Green fees are somewhat high, although it is possible to save money by using an online booking service.

Near to Eagle Lakes Community Park and adjacent to Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve lies a particularly challenging course. It bears a lot of water features and some immaculately crafted bunkers. Expect to run through a lot of golf balls. A particularly challenging course lies north of the city's botanical garden. This course has been sculpted with undulating greens, tight fairways and stacked, sod wall bunkers. Also nearby are vineyards and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

For serious scenery junkies who do not like their golfing view tainted by homes and other indicators of civilization, there are courses with certification by the Audubon International Gold Certified Signature Sanctuary. At these courses, you will find natural wetlands, thick vegetation and wildlife, including the odd spotting of a snowy white heron.

Some people can barely wait to get through baggage claims before they hit the links. For these people, there is a course adjacent to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). While the golfers are getting their fix, the rest of the family can visit Naples Zoo, the Museum of Art or the Teddy Bear Museum, which boasts more than 2,100 furry residents. Also nearby is the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp and other aquatic preserves, Estero Bay and San Carlos Bay.

Spare some time for topping up your suntan. Naples Beach is considered by some of the travel media to be the best beach in the United States. It runs for 10 miles from Gordon Pass to Seagate Drive. Noted for its unblemished white sands and cleanliness, amenities include a 1,000- fishing pier, shops and snack bars, restrooms with outdoor showers and parking meters.

For some gentle southern scenery, rent a canoe at Collier-Seminole State Park and paddle down the Blackwater River and gasp at the beauty of one of the most expansive mangrove swamps on the planet. Also within the park is the Bay City Walking Dredge, which was built in 1924 and used to help build part of US Highway 41. Campground amenities in the park consist of electricity, restrooms with hot showers (some with laundry facilities) along with grilling equipment and picnic tables.

The climate is officially described as tropical wet and dry, or tropical savannah. Daily mean temperatures run from the mid-60s to mid-80s. Summers can get thundery. The area is serviced by two airports, Naples Municipal (APF) and Southwest Florida International (RSW).




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment