PLACES LIKE NASA AND SPACEX RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. >> IF YOU’RE NOT A PART OF ITS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, EXCLUDES A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE ABILITY TO PLAY PLACES LIKE THIS. >> FRUSTRATION FOR SOME GOLFERS IN LEE COUNTY, THE OWNERS OF THE OLD CORKSCREW GOLF CLUB IN ESTERO ANNOUNCED THEY WILL BE TURNING IT INTO A PRIVATE CLUB. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER CASHMAN SPOKE TO SOME GOLFERS TO SAY THIS TAKES AWAY AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN’T MEMBERS AT A PRIVATE CLUB. >> YOU CAN GO OFF AT THE OLD CORKSCREW GOLF CLUB IN LEE COUNTY. AS LONG AS THERE’S AN OPEN TO TIME NOW, THIS PUBLIC CLUB MIGHT TURN PRIVATE, FORCING SOME GOLFERS TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO PLAY OF THE LACK OF PUBLIC GOLF PROBABLY IS GOING TO BECOME A CHALLENGE FOR SOME FOLKS AT SOME POINT IN TIME. FIELD CORKSCREW GOLF CLUB IN ESTERO HAS IMPRESSED VISITORS LIKE DAVID NARITA REALLY NICE COURSE TOUGH COURSE. BUT TIME COULD BE RUNNING OUT FOR PUBLIC PLAY. IF LEE COUNTY OFFICIALS APPROVED THE CHANGE, THE CLUB OWNER, HOFFMAN FAMILY OF COMPANIES IS TARGETING GROUNDBREAKING FOR THIS SUMMER. >> BY FALL OF 2027 AT THEY WANT TO OPEN THE PAN DION CLUB. DO PRIVATE COURSE KIND OF SAID BECAUSE A LOT OF THINGS ARE GOING PRIVATE AND LIMITS. GUYS WHO CAN’T REALLY AFFORD PRIVATE FOR ME. ONCE YOU ONCE YOU GET THE TASTE OF THE PRIVATE, IT’S JUST HARD TO GO BACK IN A STATEMENT SENT TO GULF COAST NEWS, JEFF HOFFMAN SAYS TRANSITIONING TO A PRIVATE MODEL ALLOWS US TO FOCUS ON QUALITY WALKABILITY AND THE TRADITIONS OF THE GAME. I CAN TELL YOU THAT PROBABLY GOLF IS NOT THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD BECAUSE IT IS. BUT LIKE I SAID, IF YOU’RE NOT A PART OF ITS KIND YOU KNOW, EXCLUDES A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM INABILITY TO PLAY PLACES LIKE THIS FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME PLAYS PUBLIC COURSES. I DON’T I DON’T SEE THE BENEFIT BECAUSE IT WOULD PRECLUDE ME UNLESS I KNEW SOMEBODY HERE THAT WOULD INVITE NEWS. GUESS THE LATEST LEE COUNTY GULF MAP FROM 2025 SHOWS THERE ARE 80 GOLF COURSES IN THE AREA OFTEN SAYS SIMILAR TO OLD COLLIER. ANOTHER HOFFMAN PROPERTY. OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A GOLF COURSE. MEMBERS LOVE AND WANT TO PLA
Hoffmann Family of Companies plans to make Lee County’s Old Corkscrew Golf Club private
Updated: 6:37 PM EST Feb 17, 2026
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The Old Corkscrew Golf Club may soon transition to a private course, leaving local golfers concerned about the potential lack of public golfing options.Golfer Adam Vargulick expressed concern, saying, “The lack of public golf is probably going to be a challenge for some folks at some point in time.”The club’s owner, Hoffmann Family of Companies, is planning to break ground this summer on the Pandion Club, a new private course, with an opening targeted for fall 2027, pending approval from Lee County officials.Steve Gennari shared his thoughts on the shift to private courses, saying, “It’s kind of sad because a lot of things are going private, it kind of limits guys who can’t really afford private.”Vargulick added, “For me, once you get the taste of the private, it’s just hard to go back.”In a statement sent to Gulf Coast News, Geoff Hoffmann said, “We had a unique opportunity to partner with Kyle Phillips and Matt Kragh (MHK Architecture) to create a one-of-a-kind golf experience in Southwest Florida.The property is free of surrounding development yet located in a fast‑growing area of Lee County, making it ideal for a true heathland or inland links-style design. Transitioning to a private model allows us to focus on quality, walkability, and the traditions of the game.Pandion Club is envisioned as a true home golf club—one members use often, with firm, fast conditions, a quick pace of play, and a genuine sense of community.It’s an exceptional site with enormous potential. Similar to Old Collier, another Hoffmann property, our goal is to create a golf course members love and want to play every day.”Gennari further commented, “I can’t tell you that private golf is not the best thing in the world. But like I said, if you’re not a part of it, it’s kind of, you know, excludes a lot of people from the ability to play places like this.”Narey, who plays public courses, said, “For someone like me who plays public courses, I don’t see the benefit because it would preclude me unless I knew somebody here that would invite me as a guest.”The latest Lee County golf map from 2025 shows there are 80 golf courses in the area. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
LEE COUNTY, Fla. —
The Old Corkscrew Golf Club may soon transition to a private course, leaving local golfers concerned about the potential lack of public golfing options.
Golfer Adam Vargulick expressed concern, saying, “The lack of public golf is probably going to be a challenge for some folks at some point in time.”
The club’s owner, Hoffmann Family of Companies, is planning to break ground this summer on the Pandion Club, a new private course, with an opening targeted for fall 2027, pending approval from Lee County officials.
Steve Gennari shared his thoughts on the shift to private courses, saying, “It’s kind of sad because a lot of things are going private, it kind of limits guys who can’t really afford private.”
Vargulick added, “For me, once you get the taste of the private, it’s just hard to go back.”
In a statement sent to Gulf Coast News, Geoff Hoffmann said,
“We had a unique opportunity to partner with Kyle Phillips and Matt Kragh (MHK Architecture) to create a one-of-a-kind golf experience in Southwest Florida.
The property is free of surrounding development yet located in a fast‑growing area of Lee County, making it ideal for a true heathland or inland links-style design. Transitioning to a private model allows us to focus on quality, walkability, and the traditions of the game.
Pandion Club is envisioned as a true home golf club—one members use often, with firm, fast conditions, a quick pace of play, and a genuine sense of community.
It’s an exceptional site with enormous potential. Similar to Old Collier, another Hoffmann property, our goal is to create a golf course members love and want to play every day.”
Gennari further commented, “I can’t tell you that private golf is not the best thing in the world. But like I said, if you’re not a part of it, it’s kind of, you know, excludes a lot of people from the ability to play places like this.”
Narey, who plays public courses, said, “For someone like me who plays public courses, I don’t see the benefit because it would preclude me unless I knew somebody here that would invite me as a guest.”
The latest Lee County golf map from 2025 shows there are 80 golf courses in the area.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.