Changes to TwinEagles golf course complete

Modifications to The Aerie, the Gary Player designed championship golf course at The Club at TwinEagles, appeal to members, who say the changes improve the course's playability while maintaining the original challenge and integrity.

The work, which was completed during the summer, affected 15 holes and included the redesign of the third green, said Nathan Groce, head golf professional for The Club at TwinEagles.

"The changes make The Aerie more playable," he said. "We eliminated a lot of waste areas and grassed them in to create more effective playing room. Some of the holes involved just a little tweaking."

The modifications were recommended by a committee of nine members and representatives of Bonita Bay Group, which is developing the 1,115-acre TwinEagles, and were overseen by Gary Player Design.

"Bonita Bay Group did a great job," said resident and club member Chuck Pilkey. "They did everything the members had requested plus a little more and they stood behind what they said they would do, even in this downturned market."

Member Frank Romeo agreed.

"The extent of the course enhancements was more than I expected," he said. "Companies are doing less not more these days. Everyone is very pleased with the 'new' course."

The project also included replacing turf which didn't survive last winter's lingering drought, extending fairways, eliminating some waste areas and adding formal bunkers - all with the goal of making the course less penalizing, according to Jeff Burgoyne, director of golf course operations. The most noticeable change, he said, is the third green, which was redesigned and rebuilt. "We lowered it and reconfigured it to better accept shots," he said.

The changes, however, haven't made the course easier or lowered scores, said several golfers. "It's more playable but still very challenging," said long-time member Russ Berkoben. "Before, you could hit a good shot and be penalized."

"The course is very fair now," said Mr. Pilkey. "It's more playable but it's still a challenging course. It's never going to be easy because of the greens, but now if you mishit a shot, you can usually find it and hit it again."

Burgoyne and Groce said the modifications were designed to enhance the TwinEagles community's natural appeal and were completed in accordance with The Aerie's status as an Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary. The project also included littoral plantings along lake shores and waste areas were sodded with bahia grass, which requires less water and maintenance.

The 1,115-acre Naples community was named to Golf & Travel magazine's list of the 12 Most Intriguing Golf Communities in America, was included in Travel + Leisure Golf's list of the top 100 golf communities in America for two consecutive years and received a top award from the Council for Sustainable Florida. The Club at TwinEagles is certified by Audubon International as a Signature Sanctuary and is the only private club in Florida with courses designed by two living legends, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.