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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.

While there is no clearly-defined golf season in southwest Florida, one of the best times to go is during the months of November and December, before the winter prices set in and the links are thronging with vacationers. Whatever your budget, there is a plan to suit you. During the off season, at least three dozen public and a handful of private courses remain open for the hard core enthusiasts. Green fees are somewhat high, although it is possible to save money by using an online booking service.

One reason for Naples' popularity with golfers is the awesome scenery that accompanies the links. A lot of effort has gone into creating interesting, three-dimensional courses in what is essentially very flat topography. For example, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve and Eagle Lakes Community Park surround a course with beautifully-formed bunkers and numerous water features. This is a challenging course, so come with extra golf balls. A similarly-endowed course, with tight fairways and undulating greens, exists north of Naples' botanical gardens, blessed with undulating greens and tight fairways.

Nature-lovers who like to combine birdwatching with their golf will find numerous courses certified by Audubon International. Here, you will find thick vegetation and abundant wildlife. You may get a glimpse of a showy white heron. Driving east along Interstate 75 takes you through three nature reserves. These are Picayune Strand State Forest, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve and Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.

If you absolutely can't wait until you have checked into your hotel to hit the fairways, there is a popular course right next to the airport. The family can visit one of the two aquatic preserves or the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Other attractions a Naples Museum of Art, the Teddy Bear Museum (with more than 2,100 specimens) and Naples Zoo.

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 climate is officially described as tropical wet and dry, or tropical savannah. Daily mean temperatures run from the mid-60s to mid-80s. Summers can get thundery. The area is serviced by two airports, Naples Municipal (APF) and Southwest Florida International (RSW).




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