The Dunes Golf and Tennis Resort

Sanibel Island, Florida's Audubon Certified Golf Course

Mar 28, 2007

A review of The Dunes Golf and Tennis Resort, Sanibel Island, Florida.

Sanibel Island sits six miles off Fort Myers,on Florida's southwest coast where direct flights from Toronto have recently been introduced. Accommodations on the island can be pricey, but camping is a viable option. Those seeking more comfort and full service amenities should try the Sundial Inn and Beach Resort, the largest resort on the island with low season rates starting at $169.00, while winter rates start at $263.00.

Sanibel's citizens, fearing runaway development, established the Manhattan -sized island as a city state in 1974, enacting strict conservation ordinances. You won't find billboards, fast food joints nor street or stoplights. Cars, traveling no more than 30 miles per hour, yield to cyclists traversing 25 miles of bike trails that wind through palm shaded woodlands dotted with subtropical flora in yellows, pinks and reds that attract over 230 species of birds from the nearby J.N.Ding Darling National Wildlife Preserve.

The island's Audubon Society certified golf course is home to several species of native birds. On this beautiful and very challenging PGA rated track, water comes into play on every hole.The holes are quite short, but golfers are often hitting to an island tee. An extra supply of golf balls is highly recommended.

Description

Pros

Cons

By mid April, the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club golf course gets uncomfortably humid, a staple of Florida courses. Typical also of many Florida tracks, water hazards abound. While the length of the course is quite manageable, the water is intimidating, especially when shooting to the island greens. Even accurate, but short - off - the - tee kind of golfers will face serious challenges hitting the greens in regulation.

The birds offer a welcome and calming presence. This is important as frustration levels grow with every ball lost. The aqua driving range (the only one on Sanibel Island) is lots of fun and should be utilized by all golfers before attempting a round of golf at the Dunes. Management claims there are alligators on the course, but sightings thankfully, are a rare occurrence.

While a post round of golf swim seems like a good idea, the pool is only available to members. The clubhouse, however, is open to all. Here is where golfers, tennis players, locals and visitors all congregate. Because of the upscale nature of Sanibel Island, only the best of restaurants survive. The Dunes' Rassa Steak and Seafood Restaurant, under the direction of executive chef, Michael Price, is one of them.

Rates

A round of golf, including cart ranges from a twilight rate of $58.00 to a weekend rate of $98.00.

The copyright of the article The Dunes Golf and Tennis Resort in Luxury Golf Travel is owned by Sherel Purcell. Permission to republish The Dunes Golf and Tennis Resort in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.