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| Sports and Recreation Karen T. Bartlett and Nisha Barlow |
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Many of the lush, palm-fringed golf courses along the Gulfshore bear the signatures of the greatest golfers and course designers of our time. New and noteworthy is the Captiva Golf Club’s oceanfront course at South Seas Plantation, recently named one of the top five short courses in the world. Greg Norman’s Tiburón, at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, is the home of the annual PGA Tour and the Merrill Lynch Shootout; and the Old Corkscrew Golf Club is the only Jack Nicklaus stand-alone golf course in the region. Boston Red Sox fans flock to Fort Myers for their team’s spring training games at City of Palms Park, while Minnesota Twins fans can be found cheering their team on at Hammond Stadium in the Lee County Sports Complex. And when the majors head back up north, our own boys of summer, the Fort Myers Miracle, keep baseball fans in cheering shape all summer long. Cycling enthusiast? You’ll find spectacular scenery on primary roads and on hundreds of miles of scenic trails. The views are even more breathtaking from the vantage point of a sightseeing plane or a parasail. Then, of course, there are the water sports: power boating, sailing, paddling, personal watercraft—even surfing, skim boarding and kite surfing. Boat Tours and Charters, Watersports and Marinas EVERGLADES CITY Everglades National Park Boat Tours, S.R. 29, Chokoloskee Causeway, (800) 445-7724. See mangrove forests, manatees, dolphins, bald eagles and roseate spoonbills. $21 adults, $11 children. www.nps.gov/ever. Jungle Erv’s Airboat World, S.R. 29, (800) 432-3367. Everglades airboat ride. www MARCO ISLAND Caxambas Park, 909 S. Collier Court, (239) 642-0004. Boat ramp, restrooms, fuel, bait, tackle, refreshments and picnic area. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Eagle Excursions, 3200 San Marco Road, (239) 642-1925. Dolphin and manatee tours. www Marco Island Ski and Water Sports, 400 S. Collier Blvd. at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, (239) 642-2359, or 560 S. Collier Blvd. at Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, (239) 642-3377. Parasailing, WaveRunners, eco-tours and more. www.marcoislandwatersports.com. Sea Excursions, 705 E. Elkcam Circle, (239) 642-6400. A conventions services company offering support services to meeting planners for fishing, sailing, shelling and sunset tours. Dinner cruises, dolphin watching. www.seaexcursions.com. Stop’s Marine Charters, 385 Angler Drive at Calusa Marina, (239) 394-8000. Fishing, shelling, sightseeing, eco-tours and snorkeling. www.stopsmarinecharters.com. Marco Island Princess at Port-O-Call Marina, 550 Port-O-Call Way, (239) 649-2275 or (239) 642-5415. Daily cruises include lunch buffet, sightseeing, sunset hors d’oeuvres and sunset dinner buffet cruises. www.naplesprincesscruises.com. NAPLES All Water Excursions, (239) 594-0213. Customized sunset charters, eco-tours, fishing excursions, luxury charters, party boats trips,water activities and regularly scheduled tours. www.allwaterexcursions.com. Bayview Park, Danford Street off Thomasson Drive, (239) 353-0404. Two-lane boat ramp, restrooms, picnic shelters and playground. $3 ramp fee. Sunrise to sundown. Collier Boulevard Boating Park, S.R. 951 at C.R. 952, (239) 353-0404. Two-lane boat ramp. Sunrise to sundown. Day Star Charters, 1221 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 417-3474. Private boat charters deep-sea and backwater fishing, dolphin watches, sightseeing cruises, restaurant trips and sunset cruises. www Double Sunshine/Lady Brett/Capt. Paul, U.S. 41 at Tin City, (239) 263-4949. Double Sunshine offers nature cruises, dolphin watching, sightseeing through Port Royal and sunset cruises. $28.30 per adult; half price children under 12; Lady Brett offers offshore fishing and half-day trips. $60 per adult; $50 children under 12. Capt. Paul runs bay fishing excursions twice every day. $60 per adult; $50 children under 12. www.tincityboats.com. Grand Slam Charters, Port-o-Call Marina, Port-o-Call Way, (239) 793-0969. Backcountry and offshore fishing. Capt. Mike Friday, (239) 593-4357. In-shore backcountry guide. International Yachting Services of Naples, 3295 70th St. W., (239) 262-8411. Cruisers, yachts and sport boats from 40 to 130 feet. Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 435-4353. Beach chair, umbrella, cabana, pedal-boat, kayak, double-kayak and sailboat rentals. www.naplesbeachhotel.com. Naples City Dock, 12th Avenue South on Naples Bay, (239) 213-3070. Fuel dock, Naples Landing, 1101 Ninth St. S., (239) 213-7120. Public boat ramp. Metered parking. Nautilus Boat Tours, 179 S. Bay Drive, Vanderbilt Beach Marina, (239) 597-4408. Lunch, sunset and dinner cruises; kids programs; private charters available. www.nautilusboattours.com. South Bay Marina, 179 S. Bay Drive, (239) 597-2063. Marina with fuel, bait, tackle and boat rentals. Sweet Liberty, at the City Dock, 880 12th Ave. S., (239) 793-3525. Beachcombing, dolphin tours and sunset sails on a 53-foot catamaran. www.sweetliberty.com. BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Boat Rentals, 26395 Hickory Blvd., (239) 992-2137. Twenty-two-foot pontoon boats for rent. Choose either 35 horsepower with seating for up to 10 passengers or 50 horsepower with seating for up to 12 passengers. Rates start at $70 for two-hour charter up to $200 for a full day. Bonita Jet Ski and Parasail, 27908 Hickory Blvd., (239) 992-0487. Jet skis, chairs, cabanas, umbrellas and parasailing. Estero Bay Boat Tours, 5231 Mamie St., (239) 992-2200. See dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, ospreys and wading birds. Shelling, lunch or dinner cruises, fishing and private parties. $15 adults, $10 children. Fish Trap Marina, 4794 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 992-6055. Bait, tackle, rod and reel repairs, and backwater charter fishing. Hickory Bay Charters, 4242 Mariner Lane, (239) 947-3851. Bay and pass fishing and sightseeing. Imperial River Boat Ramp, 27551 Tamiami Trail S., (239) 949-4615. Restrooms, grills, fishing pier and more. Parking $5 per vehicle. Sunrise to sunset; boat ramp open 24 hours. CAPE CORAL/PINE ISLAND Matlacha Boat Ramp, 4577 Pine Island Road N.W., Matlacha, (239) 283-4110. Two-slip boat launch with parking. Access to Matlacha Pass. Parking $5. 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. ESTERO Estero River Outfitters, 20991 Tamiami Trail S., (239) 992-4050. Canoe or kayak the Estero River to Estero Bay. Rentals and launch. www.all-florida.com/swestero.htm. FORT MYERS Adventures in Paradise and Port Sanibel Marina, 14341 Port Comfort Road, (239) 472-8443. Fishing; trolley; canoe and kayak; dolphin, shelling and snorkeling tours; sunset cruises; and boat rentals. Back Country Fishing Charters with Capt. Paul Hobby, 13371 Electron Drive, (239) 433-1007. Light-tackle and fly-fishing for snook, redfish and tarpon. Davis Boat Ramp, 2227 Davis Blvd., (239) 690-5030. Community boat ramp with parking $3 per day. Dawn to dusk. Delta Lady Riverboat Excursions at Manatee World, 5605 Palm Beach Blvd., (239) 694-4042. Sightseeing tours, dinner and dancing aboard a 149-passenger historical riverboat replica. Mullock Creek Marina, 18501 Mullock Creek Lane, (239) 267-3717. Bait, tackle, fuel. Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, 18500 McGregor Blvd., (239) 461-9422. Trailer and car parking $1 per hour, $5 per day for up to 72 hours. Restrooms, two boat slips. www.leeparks.org Underwater Explorers, 12600 McGregor Blvd., (239) 481-4733. Scuba instruction, snorkel lessons, service, sales and rentals. www.underwaterexplorers.net. FORT MYERS BEACH Fish Tale Marina, 7225 Estero Blvd., (239) 463-3600. Full-service marina with dry or wet storage, ship’s store, rentals and service. www.fishtalemarinagroup.cc. Fort Myers Beach Marina, 703 Fisherman’s Wharf, (239) 463-9552. Gulf access, wet and dry storage, service center and rentals. Fun Rentals, 1901 Estero Blvd., (239) 463-8844. Rent Harleys, WaveRunners Getaway Marina, 18400 San Carlos Blvd., (239) 466-3600. Deepwater marina specializing in fishing trips aboard the 90-foot Great Getaway. Private charter, jet skis, boat rentals. www.getawaymarina.com. Paradise Parasail, 1160 Estero Blvd., (239) 463-7272. $47 to $75. Frequent flyer discount offered. Rebel Watersports and Southern Parasailing, 1010 Estero Blvd., (239) 463-3351. Tours and watersports. Salty Sam’s Marina, 2500 Main St., (239) 463-7333. Waterfront dining, fishing and sailing charters, daily Key West ferry, boat rentals, fuel, dockage, ships store, service, storage and repair. www.saltysamsmarina.com. Seahorse Scuba, 15630 McGregor Blvd., Suite 104, (239) 454-3111. Private instruction and certification, summer camp. www.seahorsescubaftmyers.com. Snook Bight Yacht Club and Marina, behind Publix on Fort Myers Beach, Estero Bay, (239) 765-4371. Wet and dry storage, rental boats, fine dining restaurant, pool, hot tub, live bait. www.snookbightmarina.com. NORTH FORT MYERS Marinatown Marina, 3446 Marina-town Lane, (239) 997-2767. Overnight docking, laundry facilities, showers and restrooms, water and power hookup. SANIBEL/CAPTIVA ISLANDS Jensen’s Marina, Captiva Island, (239) 472-5800. Boat rentals and guided tours to Cabbage Key, North Captiva and outer islands. Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa Marina, 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive, ’Tween Waters Marina, 15951 Captiva Road, (239) 472-5161. Dockage, ramp, Ultimate Charters, (239) 542-9315. Fly- and light-tackle fishing and shelling cruises around Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island. www.ultimatecharters.com. Golf The Rookery at Marco, 3433 Club Center Blvd., (239) 793-6060. 18 holes, 7,180 yards, par 72 at the Marco Island Marriott. www.rookeryatmarco.com. NAPLES Cypress Woods, 7525 Northbrooke Drive, (239) 592-7860. Gordon Lewis-designed 18-hole course. www.cypresswoodsgolf.com. Forest Glen Country Club, 3855 Forest Glen Blvd., (239) 354-1898. An 18-hole, 6,532-yard, par-72 course. Hibiscus Golf Club, 5375 Hibiscus Drive, (239) 774-3559. Par-72 course with PGA instruction. www.hibiscusgolf.com. Eagle Lakes Golf Club, 18100 Royal Tree Parkway, (239) 732-0034. An 18-hole, par-71, 7,145-yard course. Riviera Golf Club, 48 Marseille Drive, (239) 774-1081. An 18-hole, par-62, 4,500-yard course. Nine- and 18-hole fees. www.rivieragolf.com. Valencia Golf and Country Club, 1725 Double Eagle Trail, (239) 352-0777. An 18-hole, 7,145-yard, par-72 course. Glen Eagle Golf and Country Club, 1403 Glen Eagle Blvd., (239) 353-3699. An 18-hole, 5,648-yard, par-70 course. Naples Lakes Country Club, 4788 Inverness Club Drive, (239) 732-6700. An Arnold Palmer Championship 6,804-yard, par-72 course. www.napleslakes.com. LaPlaya, 333 Palm River Blvd., (239) 597-3123. An 18-hole, par-72, 6,907-yard course open to guests of the LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. www.laplayaresort.com. Lely Resort Golf and Country Club, 8004 Lely Resort Blvd., (239) 793-2223. Two 18-hole courses. www.lely-resort.com. Naples Grande Golf Club, 7760 Golden Gate Parkway, (239) 659-3700. A 7,078-yard, par-72 course. Private instruction and clinics offered to all ages through Durland Golf School. www.naplesgrande.com. Quality Inn and Suites Golf Resort, 4100 Golden Gate Parkway, (239) 455-1010. An 18-hole, par-72 course with lighted driving range. www.naplesgolfresort.com. Tiburón Golf Club, 2620 Tiburón Drive, (239) 594-2040. Two 18-hole courses. Home of the Rick Smith Golf Academy. www.tiburongcnaples.com. Coral Isle Golf Center, 4748 Championship Drive, (239) 732-6900. Putting and chipping greens. Dedicated section for children. BONITA SPRINGS Hunters Ridge, 12500 Hunters Ridge Drive, (239) 947-6467. An 18-hole course. www.huntersridgegolf.com. Raptor Bay Golf Club, 23001 Coconut Point, (239) 390-4610. A 27-hole course open to guests of the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort. www.coconutpoint.hyatt.com. CAPE CORAL/PINE ISLAND Coral Oaks Golf Course, 1800 N.W. 28th Ave., (239) 573-3100. A 6,623-yard, par-72 course. www.coraloaks.com. Alden Pines Country Club, 14261 Clubhouse Drive, Bokeelia, (239) 283-2179. A 5,596-yard, par-71 course with 18 holes. ESTERO Grandézza Golf Club, 11471 Grande Oak Blvd., (239) 948-2900. A 7,089-yard, par-72 course. www.grandezzacc.com. Miromar Lakes Golf Club, 18520 Miromar Lakes Blvd. W., (239) 482-7644. An 18-hole, 7,400-yard, par-72 course. www.miromarlakes.com. Pelican Sound Golf and River Club, 4561 Pelican Sound Blvd., (239) 948-4333. A 27-hole private, championship course. www.pelicansoundgrc.com. Villages at Country Creek, 21131 Country Creek Drive, (239) 947-3840. An 18-hole executive course. www.villageatcountrycreek.com. FORT MYERS Riverbend Country Club, 6121 Rivershore Court, (239) 543-2200. An 18-hole, executive, par-60 course. Summerlin Ridge Golf Center, 16750 Pine Ridge Road, (239) 432-0000. An 18-hole, lighted, executive course. Terraverde,17000 Terraverde Circle, Fort Myers. (239) 433-7733. A nine-hole course. Fort Myers Beach Golf Club, 4200 Bay Beach Lane, Fort Myers Beach, (239) 463-2064. An 18-hole, par-60, 3,091-yard course. www.fmbgolfclub.com. Colonial Country Club, 9181 Independence Way, (239) 768-2825. An 18-hole, 7,385-yard, par-72 course. www.colonialgolfclub.com. Cross Creek, 13040 Cross Creek Blvd., (239) 768-1922. An 18-hole, par-60 executive course. www.crosscreekcountryclub.com. Crown Colony Golf and Country Club, 8985 Crown Bridge Way, (239) 590-9860. An 18-hole, 7,013-yard, par-72 course. www.crowncolonygcc.com. Eagle Ridge, 14589 Eagle Ridge Drive, (239) 768-1888. An 18-hole, par-72, 6,660-yard championship course. www.playeagleridge.com. Fort Myers Country Club, 3591 McGregor Blvd., (239) 936-3126. An 18-hole, par-71, 6,421-yard course. Gateway Golf Club, 11360 Championship Drive, (239) 561-1010. A par-72, 18-hole golf course. Heritage Palms Country Club, 10420 Washingtonia Palm Way, (239) 278-9090. A 36-hole championship course. Par 72 on both courses. Sable: 6,837 yards. Royal: 6,756 yards. www.heritagepalmscountryclub.com. Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, (239) 275-5581. An 18-hole, par-67, 5,078-yard course. Open to the public in summer. Legends Golf and Country Club, 8600 Legends Blvd., (239) 561-7757. An 18-hole, par-72 course. www.legendscc.com. Lexington Country Club, 16257 Willow Crest Way, (239) 437-1442. An 18-hole, par-72, 7,123-yard course. www.lexingtoncountryclub.com. San Carlos Golf Club, 7420 Constitution Circle, San Carlos Park, (239) 267-3131. An 18-hole, par-71, 6,465-yard course. NORTH FORT MYERS El Rio Golf Club, 1801 Skyline Drive, (239) 995-2204. An 18-hole, par-60 executive course. Lake Fairways Country Club, 19371 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 731-5220. An 18-hole, par-60, 3,142-yard executive course. Sabal Springs, 3347 Sabal Springs Blvd., (239) 731-0101. 18-hole, 3,279-yard, Pelican Reserve Golf Club, 9802 Pelican Reserve Blvd., (239) 985-1707. A 27-hole, 10,416-yard, par-108 (combined) course. SANIBEL/CAPTIVA ISLANDS Beachview Golf Club, 1100 Par View Drive, (239) 472-2626. An 18-hole, 6,320-yard, par-71 course. www.beachviewgolfclub.com. The Dunes Golf Club, 949 Sandcastle Road, (239) 472-2535. An 18-hole, Tennis MARCO ISLAND The City of Marco Island Racquet Center, 1275 San Marco Road, (239) 394-5454. Two hard-surface courts and six Har-Tru clay courts, all lighted. Two indoor racquetball courts. NAPLES Arthur Allen Tennis Center at Cambier Park, 735 Eighth St. S., (239) 213-3060. Full-service center offering USPTA-certified instruction. Twelve lighted courts. www.cambiertennis.com. Golden Gate Community Park, 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., (239) 353-0404. Four lighted tennis and racquetball courts. www.goldengateparkconcourse.org. Greater Naples YMCA, 5450 YMCA Road, (239) 597-8431. Ten lighted tennis courts and full-service pro shop, a fitness center, basketball courts, heated swimming pool with diving boards, and child watch. www.ymcapalms.org. Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 435-4351. Six Har-Tru clay courts and pro shop, open to the public. www.naplesbeachhotel.com. Naples Tennis Club and Resort, 4995 Airport-Pulling Road N. (239) 261-5777. Thirty-seven Har-Tru clay courts. www.tennisnaples.net. Pelican Bay Park Tennis, 764 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 598-3025. Eight lighted Har-Tru clay courts. www.pelicanbay.org. Veterans Community Park, 1895 Veterans Park Drive, (239) 566-2367. Vineyards Community Park, 6231 Arbor Blvd., (239) 353-9669. Four lighted tennis courts; four racquetball courts. Hosts Ralleyball for kids. FORT MYERS Bay Oaks Community Park, 2731 Oak St., Fort Myers Beach, (239) 765-4222. Two lighted tennis courts. Brooks Community Park, 50 South Road, (239) 432-2005. Four tennis courts. Dawn to dusk daily. Fort Myers Racquet Club, 1700 Matthew Drive, (239) 278-7277. Eight lighted clay courts. SANIBEL/CAPTIVA ISLANDS Beachview Tennis Club, 1101 Par View Drive, (239) 472-9099. Five Hydro-grid clay courts. |
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