Colonial Country Club reopens following renovations

Colonial Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida, recently reopened following a nine-month, $9 million golf course renovation project. Gordon Lewis, the course’s original architect, led the renovation work and focused on improving playability, aesthetics and sustainability of the 24-year-old course.

During the renovation, crews installed 21 new USGA‑spec greens (18 greens plus three practice greens) with TifEagle Bermudagrass, increasing total green surface from 2.74 acres to 3.36 acres. As part of the project, Gordon redesigned each green to allow for additional strategic pin placements. He also added a new 6,000 square foot practice putting green, and a new chipping green to provide membership with more areas to practice.  Crews also installed an entirely new HDPE irrigation system with Rain Bird IC with nearly 2,000 high-efficiency sprinkler heads throughout the entire course. The new system allows 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.

In addition, tees, fairways and rough were re‑grassed with Bimini Bermudagrass, which uses less water, has a higher resiliency, and has low maintenance requirements. This environmentally conscious decision aligns with the club's commitment to preserving natural resources and embracing sustainability. The total number of bunkers across the course were reduced by 20, while total bunker square footage increased by .4 acres. All bunkers were renovated using capillary concrete on slopes for enhanced drainage and reduced maintenance. Crews also lifted and re‑established waste areas that previously held water during summer months, making them more playable. Cart paths were reconfigured to improve traffic flow and enhance the beauty of each hole. A new 650 linear-foot bulkhead surrounding the 18^th green was also installed, ensuring structural integrity and visual appeal of the course's signature finishing hole. Finally, to improve course aesthetics, more than 400 trees and 20,000 landscape plants were planted to elevate the overall look course.

“The renovation has transformed the course into something truly exceptional,” Colonial Country Club board president Dan Casciano said. “It is better than ever and raises the bar for the member experience across the entire club. This is a milestone we are proud of and one our members will feel every time they tee it up.”

“This renovation was about delivering on a promise to our members. It was made possible through the collaboration of our committees, the Board, and the outstanding leadership of Troon and our Associates most notably Director of Agronomy Pat Tohill and his team,” Colonial Country Club general manager and COO Robert D. Podley CCM, CCE, CAM, said. “From design through execution, every decision was guided by playability, sustainability, and the overall member experience. The result is a golf course that is better than ever and positioned to serve our community for many years to come.”