Colonial Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla. (pictured) will undergo a full golf course renovation beginning April 1, 2025. Members recently approved the multi-million dollar project that will focus on enhancing the overall golf experience for members and visitors, including improving playability, aesthetics, and sustainability.
The club has teamed up with Gordon Lewis, the course’s original architect, to lead the renovation. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2025, with an anticipated grand reopening celebration to showcase the enhanced facilities.
Key highlights of the project include re-grassing of the golf course with Bimini Bermuda grass; new greens throughout the course; building an additional practice putting green and chipping green; a new irrigation system; tee and bunker renovations; cart path reconfiguration; bulkhead replacements; as well as waste area and drainage improvements.
By transitioning to Bimini Bermuda grass, Colonial Country Club will benefit through lower water usage, higher resiliency, and low maintenance requirements. This environmentally conscious decision aligns with the club’s commitment to preserving natural resources and embracing sustainability.
All 18 holes as well as practice greens will feature state-of-the-art USGA spec greens with Tif Eagle Bermuda grass. These enhancements promise to elevate the quality of play and ensure consistency throughout the course. An additional 6,000 square foot practice putting green will be built to provide membership with more area to practice. This will coincide with a new chipping green area with triple the amount of practice space.
An entirely new irrigation system will be installed to efficiently manage water distribution across the course. During construction, crews will lay all new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, install nearly 2,000 new high-efficiency sprinkler heads throughout the entire course, add a new central computer irrigation control system and a new weather station. HDPE piping is very strong and is corrosion and impact resistant.
The new computer system will allow Colonial Country Club’s agronomy team to operate the watering system remotely from mobile devices or desktops, while high-tech sensors measure soil moisture and salt levels to allow for precise watering.
The renovation will also entail the revitalization of tees and bunkers, enhancing their aesthetics and functionality. Players can anticipate improved tee box conditions and strategically redesigned bunkers to elevate the challenge and enjoyment of the course. Cart paths will also be reconfigured to improve cart traffic flow and improve playability.
A new 650 linear-foot bulkhead surrounding the 18th green will be installed, ensuring structural integrity and enhancing the visual appeal of the course’s signature finishing hole. Three additional bulkheads will be placed at other green complexes to help with safety and playability.
Waste areas will be raised and cleaned out to provide playable conditions throughout the areas between the OB posts. These areas will also see dramatic landscape improvements to add to the aesthetics of the course. And, finally to address historically difficult-to-drain areas, additional drainage will be installed, improving the course’s response to rain events and ensuring optimal playing conditions year-round.
“We are excited to embark on this transformative journey to elevate Colonial Country Club to new heights,” said Dan Casciano, President of Colonial Country Club. “This renovation underscores our dedication to providing an exceptional golf experience for our members and guests while preserving the rich heritage of our beloved course.”
Colonial Country Club’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the course itself, with plans to minimize disruptions during the renovation process and keep members informed of progress every step of the way.
Colonial Country Club was recently named one of ‘America’s Healthiest Clubs’ by Prevo Health Solutions; a Top 100 Golf Shop by the AGM Platinum Awards; achieved Top-Ranked status in culinary and racquet operations from Club and Resort Business Magazine.
Established in 2002, Colonial Country Club has been a premier destination for golf enthusiasts in Florida for over two decades. Colonial Country Club is a Troon Privé–managed facility. For more information on Colonial Country Club, visit www.colonialgolfclub.com
