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Jan 01, 2024

Golfweek: Gasparilla, Hammock Bay two of best public access courses

The Southwest Florida landscape is filled with amazing golf courses. The trick

The Southwest Florida landscape is filled with amazing golf courses. The trick is getting access to a high majority of them.

The reality is the bulk of golf courses here are in gated communities and unless you are a resident of the community and a member of the golf club, the first tee and everything else that goes with it is off-limits. There are also a fair amount of standalone golf clubs that are members only.

In short, unless you know someone who can bring you in as a guest, you are not playing those courses.

There are two courses in Southwest Florida that gets high marks from various golf publications and evaluators and they are considered public-access golf courses. They are the Gasparilla Golf Course located on Boca Grande in Lee County and the JW Marriott Marco Island (Hammock Bay) golf course in Collier County.

Golfweek has selected both layouts for its 2023 Top U.S. public courses. Golfweek ranked courses in all 50 states. Hammock Bay was ranked No. 14 in Florida and Gasparilla came in tied for 29th with The Breakers located in West Palm Beach. Hammock Bay moved up from No. 17 in 2022 and Gasparilla dropped down two spots. A total of 30 courses were ranked.

Full list of U.S. courses:Golf course rankings: This is Golfweek's 2023 list of the 30 best public-access layouts in Florida

The public access at the Gasparilla course and Hammock Bay comes via being a registered guest both resorts. They are still considered public access by Golfweek's judges.

While Hammock Bay received minimal impact from Hurricane Ian last Sept. 28 and is open for play this summer, Gasparilla is not open.

High praise for this Naples course:Top 100 golf courses in America list from Golf Digest includes exclusive Naples layout

The Gasparilla golf course and the Inn were hit hard during the hurricane. The golf course is currently going through a restoration that is part having to do with damage caused by Ian and part of a planned restoration that was scheduled for 2024 but moved up a year. The golf course is traditionally closed during July, August and September.

Tyler Polulak, the assistant PGA professional at Gasparilla, said the course is expected to open the same day the Inn will reopen, which is Oct. 5. Poluak said Ian resulted in the loss of numerous trees and damage to the seawall on the property. As far as the planned restoration, the course is getting a new irrigation system and some other upgrades.

SEE THE FULL LIST: Golfweek's best public access courses for 2023

Nationally, prestigious golf courses like Pebble Beach Golf Links (California), Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean Course) in South Carolina, Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs Course) in Michigan, Bethpage State Park (Black Course) in New York and Bandon Dune Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes Course) in Oregon are on the list.

Location: Boca Grande (Lee County)

Address: 500 Palm Avenue Boca Grande, FL 33921

Phone: (941) 964-4500

Holes: 18 (Par 72, Will be just over 7,000 yards from the tips after restoration)

Architect: Pete Dye

Website: Gasparilla Golf Club

Location: Naples (Collier County)

Address: 1370 Borghese Ln, Naples, FL 34114

Phone: (239) 394-2511

Holes: 18 (Par 72, 6,995 yards)

Architects: Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy

Website: Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club