Fort Myers club approves huge renovation

Colonial Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida, will undergo a full golf course renovation beginning April 1, 2025. Members recently approved the multimillion dollar project that will focus on enhancing the overall golf experience for members and visitors, including improving playability, aesthetics and sustainability. The club has collaborated with Gordon Lewis, the course’s original architect, to lead the renovation. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2025.

Key highlights of the project include:

• Regrassing of the course with Bimini Bermudagrass
• New greens throughout the course
• Building an additional practice putting green and chipping green
• New irrigation system
• Tee and bunker renovations
• Cart path reconfiguration
• Bulkhead replacements
• Waste area and drainage improvements

By transitioning to Bimini Bermudagrass, Colonial Country Club will benefit through lower water usage, higher resiliency and low maintenance requirements on fairways. The 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 USGA spec greens with TifEagle Bermudagrass. An additional 6,000-square-foot practice putting green will be built to provide members with more area to practice. The practice green will coincide with a new chipping green area with triple the amount of practice space.

The new irrigation system will be installed to efficiently manage water distribution across the course. During construction, crews will lay 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. 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 OB posts. These areas will also see dramatic landscape improvements to add to the aesthetics of the course. 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," Colonial Country Club President Dan Casciano said. "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."