Source: The News-Press (Fort Myers, Fla.)
The Preserve golf course at Shadow Wood Preserve recently reopened as a more gentle, forgiving course than the original design by noted architect Arthur Hills.
The changes, also designed by Hills, include less severe slopes, re-contouring of greens, larger landing areas, landscape changes and revision of bunkers and hazards.
Golf course superintendent Kenyon Kyle said very little dirt was moved during the site work on 17 of the 18 holes.
"The course was designed to put placement shots at a premium, and that's still the case," Kyle said.
"Many of the revisions, particularly to the greens, were done to hold the ball better, so players are rewarded for well-placed shots. The risk of roll is less."
Two holes at The Preserve changed their par, the 18th from a par 4 to 5 and 15 from a 5 to 4.
The 18th hole features a lake protecting two-thirds of the fairway and the right side of the green. A large bunker protects the left of the green and an out-of-view bunker hugs the rear.
Players still have two choices, laying up off the tee or driving the ball to a smaller landing area and going for the green in two.
Other noticeable changes include lowering the crown at the front of the eighth green and building up the back left to hold the ball better and to control the roll off the back.
The landing area on the par 5 llth was increased by reducing the width of a lake on the right side of the fairway and shortening the lake by 15 feet softened the approach area near the green.
The Preserve is the third course for members of Shadow Wood County Club. The course was built according to Audubon International guidelines and winds through wetland and natural preserve areas, restored marshes and wildlife habitat.
"Members were surveyed and comments solicited, and the responses were used as the foundation for the course revisions," said Bill Harley, the director of golf.
"The routing remains the same, and the changes do not intrude on the integrity of the golf course," Harley said. "Instead, the revisions accomplish what we set out to do, and that's challenging the players, low-handicappers in particular."
The mangrove fringes of Estero Bay, the Estero Bay Preserve State Park and historic Mullock Creek surround shadow Wood Preserve.