Courtesy of Calusa Country Club
Calusa Country Club in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, will introduce a new 12-hole golf course this winter. Designed by Gordon Lewis, the new course will offer a mix of par-3, 4 and 5 holes while providing a quicker alternative to a full 18-hole round.
Calusa Country Club opened its new 18-hole course, also designed by Lewis, to public play on February 1. The par-72, 7,400-yard layout features Tif Eagle greens, Bimini grass fairways and white sand bunkers with water in play on all 18 holes. The new 12-hole course will play to a par of 48 and can play as long as 4,895 yards.
The club’s list of golf amenities includes a nearly-one-acre practice putting course with an adjacent snack bar, fire pit and seating area; an aqua driving range; a short game practice area; and a golf simulator in the clubhouse. The “social golf” concept of the 12-hole course, large putting course and simulator are geared toward making golf fun and accessible for people of ages and abilities.
“The 12-hole course at Calusa has two of my favorite holes of all time,” Lewis said. “No. 2 is a ‘cape’ hole, which means bite off what you dare on the drive. It’s always been one of my favorite shots. I played one on my granddad’s home course a few times every summer — it just really makes you think, and isn’t that what golf is all about?
“And then there is No. 8 — it’s a little cutie. With a tee that is 200 feet wide, golfers will have a different angle of attack every day they play. Plus, it’s one of those tough, little, short ‘touch’ shots to a shallow green. I know golfers are going to enjoy this fun, quick to play, journey as much as we loved building it.”
The 12-hole course routing features a mix of par 3s, 4s and 5s, including:
- Short par 4 playing from 251 yards to 354 yards
- Long par 5 playing from 412 yards to 549 yards
- Par 3 playing from 97 yards to 212 yards
- Par 5 playing from 393 yards to 497 yards
- Short par 4 playing from 255 yards to 350 yards
- Par 4 playing from 305 yards to 385
- Par 4 playing from 220 yards to 400 yards
- Par 3 playing from 84 yards to 117 yards
- Par 4 playing from 276 yards to 409 yards
- Par 5 playing from 365 yards to 505 yards
- Par 3 playing from 109 yards to 187 yards
- Short par 4 playing from 211 yards to 314
“The golf amenities they are creating at Calusa are making the game more fun and accessible for all,” Troon COO Bruce Glasco said. “Troon is proud to partner with a forward-thinking organization and honored to help them execute the vision.”
Calusa Country Club is a Lennar Homes master-planned golf community and part of the Lakewood Ranch area. The club is open to public play with Annual Golf Pass memberships.
