The golf course at The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club is to reopen later this month following the completion of a major redesign project.

The work on the course in south-west Florida has been a collaborative effort between Nicklaus Design and Sanford Golf Design.

Work commenced in April of this year, and has cost in the region of US$9 million to complete.

Architect John Sanford of Sanford Golf Design commented: “The course has been redesigned to challenge the best players but also be enjoyable for all golfers. The redesign takes advantage of the sandy soils so the course will play ‘firm and fast’. The ball will roll out so tee shots will be longer and approaches are open to accept running shots to the greens. The greens are gently contoured to allow for multiple hole locations but have continuous movement that will challenge all skill levels.”

Following the redesign, the course will have a par of 71, and range from 4,800 yards from the front tees to 6,900 yards from the back tees. A new 300-yard driving range has also been added as part of the project.

“We have a number of great new holes at the resort course, which includes the ‘signature hole’ on the sixteenth,” Sanford added. “It is a medium length ‘Redan’ par three. The green is a peninsula with water in front, on the right and behind the green. It’s not long but will require accuracy to hit the green.”

The course will reopen for play on 17 November.