Having been open for a relatively short period of time compared to other noteworthy and historic golf courses in the United States, there’s a Southwest Florida course that continues to flex its muscles and appear year after year in different ratings and rankings for the best golf courses in the land.
On Feb. 14 Golf Digest released its “50 greatest courses built since 2000” list and one of the dots on the map was in Naples, home of the Calusa Pines Golf Club on Calusa Pines Drive. It’s a member only private club that opened in 2001.
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Out of the 50 courses ranked by Golf Digest, Calusa Pines came in at No. 20 on the list, higher than the other three Florida golf courses in the ranking.
One its website, Calusa Pines says: “It takes a very special golf course to attract much attention in south Florida mainly because there are so many built with high budgets, big egos, and on relatively featureless sites. Calusa Pines distinguishes itself from its brethren because it goes to excess, some would say; but in such a subtle way that it becomes memorable.”
Calusa Pines was designed by golf architects Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry.
For perspective, Calusa is ranked one spot of Canyata Golf Club, a private course in Illinois, and one spot below Old Macdonald a public course in Bandon, Oregon and part of the famed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
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What else to know about Calusa Pines Golf Club
From its website:
Calusa Pines features outstanding vistas generated by sweeping ridges that influences ten golf holes.
The landforms are so soft, and flowing that they blend in well enough to appear natural and unique.
Combined with extensive native plant vegetation it is difficult to imagine the golf course was built, instead of simply laid out on this superb piece of land.
Calusa Pines was founded to provide an exceptional golf experience for its members in a relaxed atmosphere that promotes camaraderie among those who truly love the game.
The club doesn’t release membership information, has no tee times, and features a strong caddie program as members and guests are encouraged to walk the course.
What Golf Digest said about Calusa Pines in Naples
The inaugural Calusa Cup college golf tournament, held at Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples, ended on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
Here’s what the Golf Digest story about the “50 greatest courses built since 2000” said about Calusa Pines, easily the most decorated golf course in all of SW Florida.
“Admittedly, our system of tracking overall trajectory does Calusa Pines no favors: it’s climbed 28 places over the last five rankings from a high of 96 in 2017, though only gets credit for climbing three spots. Regardless, it’s one of the most creative and consistent courses built in the last 25 years.”
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To determine the 50 Greatest Courses of the 21st Century, Golf Digest analyzed the 105 new courses that appeared on its America’s 100 Greatest and America’s Second 100 Greatest Courses ranking since 2001 (the rankings are published in odd years, and Golf Digest expanded its list to 200 courses for the first time in 2013).
Next, Golf Digest said it determined the average ranking of each of them over its tenure, so if a course appeared twice, once at No. 170 and once at No. 190, its ranking average would be 180. The lower the average ranking, the closer to the top of the list it appears.
There’s more about the intricacies of the rankings and you can learn about that here and also see details about all 50 courses.
Other Florida golf courses in the Golf Digest rankings
Calusa Pines has some company on Golf Digest’s “50 greatest golf courses built since 2000” list.
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Three other golf course in the Sunshine State made the prestigious list, including a public course not far from SW Florida, and one (private course) owned by the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers:
Streamsong (Red)
Location: Bowling Green
Private or public?: Public
Rank: 44
What Golf Digest said: The courses at Streamsong would have to qualify among the most popular in the U.S. built this century, but only the Red has had, briefly, the scores to touch the 100 Greatest, showing how difficult it is to garner the consensus opinion needed to remain in that rarified company.
Note: Streamsong Resort, which has the Red and a Blue and Black course, is 86 miles north and east of Fort Myers.
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The Dye Course at White Oak
Location: Yulee
Private or public?: Private
Rank: 48
What Golf Digest said: “It’s difficult to see how White Oak, one of the most exclusive courses in the U.S. built for Los Angeles Dodgers owner and conservationist Mark Walter, can climb higher since so few people, including our panelists, play it. It takes data to change data.”
The Concession Golf Club
Location: Bradenton
Private or public?: Private
Rank: 49
What Golf Digest said: “Though Concession has fallen overall since its debut, dipping to No. 141 in 2021, it’s actually climbed 14 spots since then and is experiencing momentum. It’s reasonable to believe there is more room to advance.”
Calusa Pines Golf Club golf bag tag. Calusa Pines is in Naples.
What course was No. 1 in the Golf Digest rankings?
Course: Pacific Dunes | Bandon, Oregon
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Private or public?: Public
Rank: No. 1
What Golf Digest said: “No course built this century has charted in more rankings than Pacific Dunes, a testament to the impression and impact it made from the beginning. It leapt from No. 47 to No. 14 in three cycles and camped out in the top 20 until 2023. Because anyone can play it, (architect Tom) Doak’s ocean bluff design has done more than any course in American to evangelize walking links golf and lay-of-the-land architecture.”
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Naples golf course named one of 50 greatest courses bult since 2000