Reader: Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero, Florida has it all

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Old Corkscrew Golf Club near Naples, Florida is a must-play, WorldGolf.com reader Elliot DeBear says. (Courtesy of Old Corkscrew G.C.)

Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero, Fla., designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son, Steve, was originally offered to another high-end designer who turned it down due to the location.

Nicklaus saw the land and knew what he could do with it. Wow! It's a beautifully designed golf course and one of the nicest and certainly most interesting and challenging I have ever played in Florida. It's 7,393 from the tips with a 76.9/148 slope rating and 6,617 yards from the blues with a rating of 73.4/140 slope ... and this is in Florida, folks.

The course has everything: wild terrain, multiple lakes separating holes, tall pines framing most holes, wild flowers, fescue and the most multi-tiered, undulating greens I have ever seen. So far, no development, so there are no buildings in sight, with the exception of one hole where you see a large equipment shed.

At $80 for the round with cart and access to the practice facilities, it was a bargain. Compared to Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., this was half the price and twice the course. If you are traveling to Naples, play this course.

The course is located just south of Ft. Myers Airport, the airport used to fly into Naples. It's about eight miles inland from the highway in the middle of nowhere. What a find. You will not be disappointed. The staff is great and take great pride in how you enjoyed yourself. Mark in the pro shop helps in any way, and the cart girls are knock outs.

- Elliot DeBear
by e-mail

February 2, 2009

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.