Saturday, July 18, 2015

Why Naples Florida Is The Golf Capital Of The World

By Jony Mozen


The Naples-Marco Island, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, is located a short hop from Fort Myers on the Sunshine State's southwest coast. Naples Florida considers itself to be the golfing capital of the world. This is hard to contest, considering the area boasts no fewer than 80 championship golf courses.

Barring the occasional hurricane, the area is suitable for golfing all year round, although the quietest months are November and December, before the winter peak season begins. Whatever your budget, you can find prices to suit. Green fees can be on the high side, although using an online booking system can also save you money. During the off season, you can still find a few dozen public courses and the occasional private course still open for serious golfers.

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 those who want to get really down to the nitty gritty with nature, canoe rentals are available on the Blackwater River in Collier-Seminole State Park. Here, explorers can get up close and personal with one of the world's largest mangrove swamps. Also located within the park is the Bay City Walking Dredge, a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Campground amenities include electricity, grilling equipment, restrooms with hot showers and a laundry facility.

The Neopolitan climate is regarded as tropical savannah, or wet and dry. This means it experiences warm, short winters and hot, humid summers punctuated by thunderstorms. In addition to RSW, the area is serviced by Naples Municipal Airport (APF).




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