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Course Profile
Tiburon Golf Club
This Greg Norman-designed course was carved from 800 acres of prime Southwest Florida real estate. However, the course sculpting was limited to 230 acres, preserving as many native areas as possible. Of that, only 90 acres are maintained as playable. As a result, Audubon International recently certified Tiburon.
"The goal was to disturb as little as possible," Tiburon Superintendent Matt Fancher said. "When it was built, we did a lot to preserve these areas. I'd say 80 percent of the work was already done because of the land."
Tiburon Golf Club, host of the 2001 Franklin Templeton Shootout, is a joint venture with the Ritz Carlton. Naples' second Ritz resort, a 295-room palace overlooking the golf course, opened in December 2001.
To the delight of those who spray the ball off the tee, there is nary a blade of grass cut above fairway level. While the absence of rough sounds appealing, head professional Bob Radunz said it has a dual effect. "It's almost more penalizing with no rough because the ball will roll further than if the perimeter areas were lined with thicker grasses."
Driving areas are relatively open, but it's still imperative to hit the ball straight. Unlike a poor lie that accompanies errant tee shots at other tracks, Tiburon will leave a golfer digging in the bag for another piece of ammunition.
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