FORT MYERS< Florida – Known around Lee County as 'the friendliest club in the area,' The Club at Gateway in Ft. Myers, Florida was awarded "Best Private Golf Course & Country Club" in the Best of Fort Myers Golf Awards, which recognize businesses with excellence in product, performance, or service. The event was witnessed by many of the members at the Club and at home. "We are so honored to have won this award again. Our Club is a very special place because of our members and staff," said Matt Malloy, General Manager.
So many great things are happening at The Club at Gateway. The Club is now privately owned and remains private, but membership is not restricted to homeowners in the community. Under the new ownership of Florida Lifestyle Management Group, owned by Don Garrett of Garrett Construction, the Club has realized over $5 million in renovations with no assessments to the membership.
The new 300-seat dining facility, a fitness center complete with separate spinning and aerobics rooms, plus a reimagined new cardio, weight, and TRX training area are just some of the added amenities. Tennis is a big part of many of the members’ activities with six har-tru courts and a pro for lessons and matches. Pickleball and bocce are also available. The new resort pool features a zero-entry zone, lap lanes, and an outdoor bar. Along with the expanded dining area is a new display kitchen equipped with seating for cooking classes. For you Oenophiles, there is a 1600 bottle glass wine cellar with its own private tasting room for special pairing dinners and private events.
I enjoyed the wine so much I nearly forgot about the golf. The Club at Gateway is home to one of Tom Fazio’s finest Signature designs that opened in 1989 with instantaneous recognition as one of the Top new courses by Golf Digest. Fazio himself said the 10th hole, a 383-yard par 4 is probably one of the four finest holes he has ever designed. Early on Gateway was a regular stop on the Ben Hogan Tour.
The 7,047-yard course with slope/rating of 74.4/137 has a plentitude of water, over 100 bunkers, and dramatic stands of towering cypress trees. Oh yeah, there are well- manicured fairways to be found amongst all the other natural hazards with speedy greens to confront the best putters. One saving grace is the six sets of tees for all levels of players to enjoy this beauty.
Adding to a golfer’s perfect dream club is the 20-acre practice facility transformed in 2013 by Mr. Florida Golf, designer Ron Garl, into a trendsetting ‘Golf Improvement Center.’ This first-class facility features a double-sided range, four unique short game areas, a fantastic putting green that mirrors the speed and undulations found on the course’s greens, and two practice holes, a par 3 and 4 to test your mettle before challenging the pristine 18 holes. PGA Pro Bobby Clampett liked the facility so much, he moved his Impact Zone School here.
“Families in the community are enjoying the Club, especially this summer during these challenging times. The Summer Preview Memberships have given folks the opportunity to experience the Club and enjoy the new amenities and great food in the Grille Room, Patio or Pool Bar. We are offering the opportunity to join the Club at Gateway with complimentary dues until the end of 2020,” stated MJ Chappy, Director of Membership.
The Club is located near the Southwest Florida International Airport, shopping, entertainment and the beautiful Fort Myers Beach.
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