Having just recently returned from a visit to my mother’s retirement home in Bonita Springs, I had a chance to get a couple of rounds in on two semi-private courses, recently opened to the public.

Palmira Golf and Country Club is located in Bonita Springs..just a stone’s throw from Mom’s place in Worthington…the course was in foreclsoure for a while until the exisitng home owners recently purchased the course and opened it up for limited public tee times. This 3, nine hole course is definitely a challenge…not for the high handicapper…a very tight course with lots of water…reminds me of how tight Cypress Woods is down the street from this property…while the course is well maintained and greens are good, I’d need a few more practice rounds before heading back out on this challenging course….

Pelican Preserve in Ft. Myers…what a gem!! I can’t tout this course enough…what an excellent course!!! Located in Ft. Myers off of Exit 136, this course is semi-private, a WCI 55+ planned community…the course is in pristine condition..one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I’ve ever had on Florida’s west coast…I would place this course as a very close 2nd to Tiburon at #1…huge fairways and great greens…although my only complaint is slow greens, but the layout is wonderful…some of the holes on the back side remind of the open spaces at Bandon Dunes…they’re running a special “2 For 1″ at $110 ($55 each..but here’s a little secret…if you check out the community and listen to the sales pitch, they’ll put you on for only $25!…and with a golf view 2 Bed, 2 Bath going for $99K!!! and 3 years of FREE GOLF, it’s more than worth it…the facilities are brand new and outstanding…I don’t know how, but I’ll be playing this gem again the next time I’m in the area…a must see and play for any golfer who lives or is visiting the area…I fell in love…