FORT MYERS, Florida – Just in time for the new year, Legends Golf & Country Club celebrated its grand reopening after a nine-month renovation project led by Ron Garl and Rickie Nix of Garl Nix Golf Course Design..
The course, which closed mid-April 2025 for a comprehensive modernization project, has been reimagined to meet 21st-century playing standards while addressing critical infrastructure needs. The renovation, a common trend for golf courses in 2026, focused heavily on “hidden” improvements—most notably a state-of-the-art new irrigation system designed by Tony Altum.
Legends Golf and Country Club’s golf course was designed by Joe Lee and opened in early 1999. The golf course was renovated in 2010 by Kipp Schulties and finished its newest renovation by Garl & Nix Golf Course Design.
Legends Golf & Country Club is a 650-acre gated, golf community featuring lush landscaping, tranquility and beauty and par 72 championship course. Residences (1,291) range from condos to estate homes. Amenities include 7 Har-Tru Tennis Courts, 4 Bocce Courts, 4 Pickleball Courts, Resort Style Pool, Fitness Classes and unlimited social activities.
The fairways are spacious and forgiving with mounding around the generous-sized greens. Lakes, ponds and creeks set picturesque scenes around 14 of the Legends holes. The Garl Nix Golf Course Design team reimaged the layout, design, and did full updates to the entire golf course under budget of $9.6 million
Key upgrades to the course include:
* Reimagined greens: The greens have been completely transformed, with all 18 putting surfaces fully stripped and reconstructed to USGA construction standards using TifEagle Bermuda grass. The result is faster, firmer, and more consistent greens that elevate roll quality, responsiveness, and the overall playing experience.
* Strategic bunker refinement: Bunkers were reshaped for improved visibility from the tee and upgraded with capillary concrete liners to maintain sand integrity and playing quality.
* Enhanced practice facilities: An expanded driving range tee showcases premium practice mats formed by decorative concrete and lush planters with palms and seasonal flowers. The expansive short game area offers a large, two-tiered chipping green and two separate practice bunkers, creating an ideal setting for members to elevate their short game skills.
* Landscape improvement: The project included selective vegetation removal and a comprehensive redesign with new landscaping to improve playability, support long-term sustainability, and enhance the course’s overall visual appeal.
* New irrigation system: The golf course has upgraded to a state-of-the-art irrigation system that improves turf quality while significantly increasing water efficiency. The new technology delivers precise, data-driven watering across the course, reducing water use, minimizing runoff, and supporting long-term environmental sustainability while ensuring consistently excellent playing conditions.
“The course has greater depth now,” noted the project’s lead architect, Ricky Nix, during the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The more you play it, the more you will appreciate the subtle strategic shifts we’ve introduced.”
While the newly established turf exhibits a uniform and visually mature canopy, course management has advised returning players to exercise caution. “The surface appearance does not yet reflect full root-zone development,” said Golf Course Superintendent Mark Thomas. “Root mass and lateral stability are still in the establishment phase, and the turn remains susceptible to shear and compaction. We appreciate the community’s patience as the stand continues to mature and achieve optimal playability over the coming growing season.”
Of the approximate 150 private, gated, golf courses sprinkled around Southwest Florida, from Punta Gorda to Marco Island, about 40 clubs are actively engaged in renovation or redesign projects.
