The Green Scene

It's hard to think of a more qualified expert on Southwest Florida golf than Mark Lye.

The Golf Channel analyst has lived in the area for more than 20 years and he's been a pro just as long, earning about $2 million on the PGA Tour to date. Given his line of work, the California native couldn't have picked a better place to settle than the Gulfshore, which has more golf holes per capita than anywhere else in the country. "Life is good here for golfers," says Lye.

When we asked Lye to expand on that simple truth, he was happy to offer specifics-his guide, if you will, to what makes the Gulfshore a true golfer's paradise. And he even threw in a few tips to improve your game.

BEST COURSES

Calusa Pines Golf Club. I like Calusa Pines' wonderful layout, which features a lot of elevation changes, large mounding features and great movement from tee to green. The bunkering is spectacular, and the land is used perfectly, with plenty of tree trouble. The greens are among the fastest in town, and members are proud of the club. The clubhouse is first-class. 2250 Ridge Road, Naples; (239) 352-3330.

LaPlaya Golf Club. Better bring the straight ball out here; this Bob Cupp-designed course is tight. It's on a tiny piece of land, but there's plenty of mounding between most holes. Marvelous greens, too. Part of LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort, 9891 Gulfshore Drive, Naples, (239) 597-3123; LaPlaya Golf Club located at 333 Palm River Blvd., Naples, (239) 254-5001.

Naples Grande Golf Club. With lots of lakes and trouble, this course offers an impressive contrast in styles between the front nine and back nine. A challenging par-5 ninth hole has water all the way down the right side, and the hazard cuts into the front of the green for great risk-reward golf. The back nine has everything you'd want-long, with water and trees to foul you up. Part of the Registry Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, (239) 597-3232; Naples Grande Golf Club located at 7760 Golden Gate Parkway, (239) 659-3700.

Naples National Golf Club. The first of the big boys, Naples National is spectacular in every sense-somewhat reminiscent of Augusta National in its mystique. The course is virtually flood-proof; layers of rock and percolation soil went into the building of every fairway and every green. It was a huge expense, but worth it. Well-known tour player Fuzzy Zoeller is a member here. 9325 Collier Blvd., Naples; (239) 775-3468.

Old Collier Golf Club. A Tom Fazio masterpiece. The land is pristine, and the course is unusual because there are elevation changes-unlike most Florida courses, which are largely flat. Old Collier is manicured like a botanical garden, with plenty of lakes and white sand to offer a true sense of depth. The principals are experimenting with a new strain of salt-water-tolerant grass, which allows brackish water to be used for irrigation. So during the winter months, when the area is on water restriction, Old Collier is the greenest course in town. The service, food and atmosphere are right up there with the finest clubs in the world-and membership is equally exclusive. On Tamiami Trail North, between Immokalee Road and the Cocohatchee River, Naples; (239) 597-9898.

Sanctuary Golf Club. This course has

a number of spectacular water views. But most of the time, you wouldn't even know you're on a barrier island. Built on a sensitive part of

Sanibel Island, the Sanctuary is a superior example of land-use expertise. 2801 Wulfert Road, Sanibel; (239) 472-6445.

Tiburón Golf Club. This 36-hole wonder was designed by Greg Norman, who hosts the Franklin Templeton Shootout here every fall. Difficult and well-designed, it makes the most of natural elements such as coquina sand and pine-tree hammocks. While you're there, get your game in shape at the Rick Smith Golf Academy, located at the back of the range, along with Chris Nolan's equipment-fitting center, where I get my gear straightened out. Part of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, 2620 Tiburon Drive, Naples; (239) 594-2040.

UNDERRATED, BUT NOT FOR LONG

Fiddlesticks Country Club. Talk about a long, mean course. This one has been around for more than 25 years and is super-tough. Featuring a good layout with water in play on most holes, it's also tight with plenty of length. There's another course on-site for those with less skill. 15391 Canongate Drive, Fort Myers; (239) 768-1111.

Gateway Golf Club. With one of the best layouts in Lee County, this course was designed by Tom Fazio and is carved out of Florida wetlands. 11360 Championship Drive, Fort Myers; (239) 561-1010.

West Bay Club. Designed by Pete and P.B. Dye, this is one of the tougher golf courses I've played. Bring lots of balls; there's plenty of water to deal with. 22050 S. Tamiami Trail, Estero; (239) 948-9009.

GREAT PUBLIC COURSES

For "muni" players, I recommend Eastwood Golf Course (4600 Bruce Herd Lane; [239] 275-4848) in Fort Myers and Fort Myers Country Club (3591 McGregor Blvd.; [239] 936-2457). The latter is an old Donald Ross design, Florida-style; there aren't a whole lot of hills, but the greens are challenging. It hosts a pro event called the Becks Open every January.

TRICKIEST HOLES

18th hole at TwinEagles. This long par 4 has bunkers left and right off the tee. The second shot is a doozy, as the green is guarded by a huge lake short and right of the green. Anything hit left on the approach away from the trouble either catches a bunker or a collection area well below the level green surface.

12th hole at the Hideout. A par-5 dogleg right to left, and a great risk-reward hole. Water hugs the entire left side while bunkers guard the right off the tee. On the second shot, the lay-up is tight as the water sneaks up on the left. Anyone who goes for it in two deals with water in front and an extremely shallow green.

18th hole at Quail West, Lakes Course. Players must carry a lake on the left side of this long par 4. How much you chew off here depends on how long a hitter you are; players can bail out on the right side, but that leaves a longer shot in. The green is bulkheaded and guarded by a huge lake short and right of a smallish green. A bunker guards the left rear of the green, which catches the conservative shots.

THE 19TH HOLE - Favorite post-game hangouts.

The Hideout. Located at the far eastern end of Pine Ridge Road, it's a great place to go incognito-which is why Larry Bird is a member here. A first-class clubhouse. 3025 Brantley Blvd., Naples; (239) 352-4141.

Boathouse at Collier's Reserve. My favorite place to grab a bite after golf. It's a quaint little restaurant on the Cocohatchee River with an Old Florida flavor. 11711 Collier's Reserve Drive, Naples; (239) 597-7200.

Ritz-Carlton Lodge. Sitting above the golf course on the second floor, you can see much of the course and beautiful lakes that surround it. The décor is Grand Bahamian, and the food and drink are outstanding. Spotted at the Ritz: George H.W. Bush, Jeb Bush, former NFL quarterback Earl Morrall and former Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt. 2620 Tiburon Drive, Naples; (239) 594-2040.