Best of the Gulfshore

4 -- BEST ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS AND MEDIA

BEST LOCAL ENTERTAINER

Keith Raygor/Watermark Grille (Naples)

Finalists: Tim Poindexter/Pippin's Restaurant (Naples); Chris Foster/Tommy Bahama's Tropical Café (Naples); Jim Badger/Ridgway Bar and Grill (Naples)

The resident entertainer at Watermark Grille since 1999, Raygor engages audiences with sleight of hand and a sense of humor that has earned raves from corporate clients and casual diners. "He intrigues the audience with unbelievable magic," said Parent & Child Magazine.

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE

Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club

Finalists: Lely Resort Golf and Country Club (Naples); Valencia Golf Course (Naples); Legends (Fort Myers)

Prized by locals and touring professionals alike, the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club's course reigns as the oldest in Naples. Its original nine holes opened in the 1920s near what's now the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Third Street. In the 1950s, the course was relocated to Gulf Shore Boulevard, where it has hosted Women's U.S. Open qualifiers as well as Florida PGA and Florida Seniors Open play.

BEST PRIVATE GOLF COURSE

Tiburón at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Golf Resort

Finalists: LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort (Naples); Quail Creek Country Club (Naples); The Sanctuary (Naples)

Two 18-hole courses set in 800 acres of native foliage, Tiburón was designed by Greg Norman to play like a British Open links course-firm and fast, according to the Ritz . It's home to the annual Franklin Templeton Shootout, which has featured PGA tour pros Brad Faxon, Fred Couples, Mark O'Meara and Norman. The total purse for last November's event: $2.25 million, with proceeds benefiting the National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

BEST PRIVATE TENNIS COURTS

Naples Bath and Tennis

Finalists: Quail Creek Country Club (Naples); Pelican Bay (Naples)

One of the largest tennis resorts in the United States, the club hosts more events in a month than most clubs do in a year, according to Tennis Magazine.

BEST PUBLIC TENNIS COURTS

Cambier Park (Naples)

Finalist: Veteran's Park (Naples)

Awarded a perfect 10 for the zen of tennis, this city-sponsored project can be a ball. Just a couple of aces from Fifth Avenue South, it scores high with its dozen well-kept courts, and pro shop, tennis lessons and tournaments.

BEST LOCAL SPORTING EVENT

Swamp Buggy Races (Naples)

Finalists: Ace Golf Tournament (Naples); Hockey (Estero)

Delaware has Pumpkin Chunkin', Georgia has the Redneck Games and Naples has Swamp Buggy Races. Sure it's bizarre, but it's so much fun. And these towering, cagey vehicles with names like The Intimidator, Plum Crazy and The Outlaw bring the fans to their feet as they tackle the Mile 'O Mud to win cash and the right to give the Swamp Buggy Queen her annual mudbath.

BEST LOCAL TV NEWS STATION

CBS-5/WINK

Finalists: NBC-2/WBBH; ABC-7/WZVN

With longtime news staffers like Patrick Comer, Jim McLaughlin and Lois Thome, WINK continues to rate highly with readers.

BEST FITNESS CLUB

Gold's Gym (Naples, Fort Myers)

Finalists: Naples Wellness Center; Naples Fitness Center

With 3 million members worldwide and four locations in Southwest Florida, Gold's Gym sets the bar high for fitness facilities.

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

Karen at Naples Fitness Center

Finalists: Victoria at Hammerhead Beach Gym (Fort Myers Beach); DJ at Asylum Fitness (Fort Myers)

When it comes to fitness, personal attention rates high with readers. You crowned Karen queen of the Naples Fitness Center, the upscale health, fitness and racquetball facility.

BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP

Naples Philharmonic Orchestra

Finalists: Florida Repertory (Fort Myers); Naples Players, Sugden Theatre (Naples)

Established in 1983, the NPO performs classical, pops and chamber concerts and has accompanied such renowned artists as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Kiri Te Kanawa and Frederica von Stade.

5 -- BEST OF THE REST

BEST BLACK-TIE EVENT

Angel Ball, The Community School (Naples)

Finalists: Heart Ball, American Heart Association (Lee and Collier counties); Emerald Ball, Catholic Charities

It's one of the oldest balls in Naples, entertaining its patrons now for 18 years running. Even more rewarding is knowing that all of the monies raised go to the school's financial aid program, allowing more than just the wealthy to attend this independent, college preparatory school. This year a record $640,000 was raised.

BEST PLACE TO HAVE A WEDDING

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Finalists: The Beach; Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club

In addition to a romantic beach-front backdrop and opulent indoor settings, the finest linens, candelabras and cuisine are on tap for couples who tie the knot at the Ritz. In-house staff will help provide the perfect photographer, floral designer and entertainment.

BEST ANNUAL OUTDOOR EVENT

Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts

Finalists: Taste of Collier (Naples); Taste of the Town (Fort Myers)

This annual outdoor art fest has been attracting art lovers to Fifth Avenue South for 15 years now. This year, more than 300 nationally-known artists lured 50,000 people to the two-day event hosted by the Fifth Avenue South Association.

BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION

Caribbean Gardens, the Zoo in Naples

Finalists: Fifth Avenue South (Naples); the Everglades

Beat your chest and holler for the former Jungle Larry's, one of Naples' oldest yet most up-to-date attractions. Larry's sons (David and Tim Tetzlaff) and a dedicated staff keep giving visitors and locals something to roar about: a wondrous, noisy menagerie of exotic and native animals, including gangs of primates, reptiles and big cats, set off against a beautiful botanical backdrop of 52 acres.