Southwest Florida’s Tamiami Trail – Highway 41 – between Naples and Bonita Springs is rich in golf. But as it is on the Southeast side of the Sunshine State, the sun shines brightest on the high-end private golf clubs and country club communities.
That’s why it’s a treat to find a place like Saltleaf Golf Preserve in Bonita Springs. Renovated in 2023, the former Raptor Bay Golf Course – just a short shuttle ride from the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point – is making its case as one of the top public courses in Florida.
“Saltleaf fills a public golf need in this area,’’ said Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Director of Sales and Marketing Rhett Wilson.
“All of the courses in this area are bundled golf communities lined by condos or homes,’’ Saltleaf Golf Preserve General Manager Mark Wilhemi. “Out here, it’s just you and Mother Nature. Players love seeing all the native wildlife.’’
Mother Nature and course designer Raymond Floyd – who did the original Raptor Bay layout 25 years ago – now provide the Bonita Springs area, which includes Fort Myers and Naples, a terrific daily fee golf course with the feel of a private club, located beside Florida’s oldest aquatic preserve, within the 500-acre coastal village of Saltleaf on Estero Bay.
Credit: Saltleaf Golf Preserve
London BayDevelopment Group, which owns the village, later this year is expected to offer some limited memberships in preparation for the 2026 opening of the first of two, 22-story Ritz-Carlton residences within the village of Saltleaf on Estero Bay. The second tower is expected to open in 2027.
In the course renovation, owner Saltleaf London Bay decided to use the original back nine of Raptor Bay for developmenT. So, Floyd and design partner Harry Bowers created the new back nine of what now is Saltleaf Golf Preserve from what was originally planned as a separate nine-hole layout – basically holes 19-27.
Floyd and Bowers also completely renovated the front nine, essentially creating an entirely new course that officially opened as Saltleaf Golf Preserve (7,075 yards, par 72) in January 2024 under the management of Troon.
The course, which features 22 acres of lakes and a 40,000 square-foot practice facility, is void of formal bunkers, but does have stacked sod walls on the first, second and 11th holes that help shape the fairways and keep balls in play. Cocina sand waste areas also help show off the Bimini Bermuda grass fairways and rolling terrain.The front nine has enough nooks and crannies to keep even the better players honest, while the back nine is more “bombs away’’ off the tee boxes.
“I think (Saltleaf) is more user friendly,’’ Wilhemi said. “It isn’t as tight as Raptor Bay. I think people enjoyed playing Raptor Bay, but Saltleaf is just so much better.’’
Sunset at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa (Hyatt Hotels)
The 462-guestroom guestroom Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, has been an almost hidden gem among Southwest Florida resorts since it opened in 2001. The resort features eight food and beverage outlets, including the locals favorite Tarpon Bay; Lazyriver water park; private island beach; private poolside cabanas; and Stillwater Spa. A nine-hole, par-3 course – The Leaf – is a fun walking to can serves as a nice warmup for The Preserve or an entertaining, judgement free, evening with family and rounds
The resort retains tee-times at Saltleaf Preserve for each of its guests. It also operates seamlessly with the course in providing services such as bag storage and shuttle service.
“Part of our ‘secret sauce’ is our slower pace and a kind of out of the way setting,’’ Wilson said. “The hotel has been on an evolution the past half-dozen years. People are starting to realize the luxury we have here. That’s why we think Saltleaf is such a good addition.’’
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point this summer is planning a $15 million renovation of its events and ballrooms.
“A cherry on top of everything else,’’ Wilson said. “We want to be more approachable, but with a luxury feel.’’
Feature Photo Courtesy of Saltleaf Golf Preserve