The 1479 residents of the Lexington Country Club community in Ft Myers, FL can consider themselves lucky for several reasons. Forget the obvious; it’s a wonderful community in the Sunshine State. I’m talking about the great golf course that lies within this private community and their close proximity to one of the nicest beaches in all of Florida – Sanibel/Captiva. Not to mention the Southwest Florida International Airport is about 15 minutes away as is the City of Ft Myers’ business and entertainment districts.
Lexington Country Club consists of both a Golf Village and a Lake Village. Other outdoor activities at Lexington include 12 lighted hydro-grid tennis courts, 6 heated swimming pools (consisting of 2 large heated community pools and several neighborhood pools), a fitness center and 3 bocce courts. With a tropical climate year-round, residents are sure to find something to fit their schedule.
The main clubhouse was recently renovated; it is elegantly decorated and offers a variety of dining experiences and menus. With many scheduled events and functions you are sure to meet neighbors as well as new friends. The beautifully appointed dining rooms, lounge, and verandah overlook the 9th and 18th holes, adding to a picturesque experience and are available to members as well as non-members for private functions.
The Island Club features an outdoor Tiki Bar, fitness center, pool with a Jacuzzi, and sandy beach and is usually the venue chosen for many informal social events and numerous activities within the community.
The 18-hole Gordon Lewis designed championship golf course opened in 1996 and plays 7,123 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 74.6 with a slope rating of 138. Lexington plays on Bermuda grass and is a private non-equity golf course with an ‘Accompanied by Member’ guest policy.
The golf course itself features wide fairways with subtle undulations. The pitch and undulation of the greens vary from hole to hole. As a rule, the longer and lower handicapped holes will have large, flat greens while shorter holes have smaller and severely undulating greens. Water hazards come into play on seventeen holes as well as eighty-eight sand bunkers that need to be avoided.
Memorable Holes
Number 3: Par 5, 565 yards. Water down the left side of the fairway can quickly come into play on shots pushed that way. For most it’s a three shot hole. Drive it in the fairway, hit your layup short of the water that cuts across the fairway about 90 yards short of the green, chip it on and two putt for par. Easy!
Number 5: Par 4, 406 yards. Water on either side of the fairway will keep you honest off the tee as will the nasty pot bunkers that dot the fairway on your way to the green. The green is open on the front with pot bunkers short right and behind the green. This hole seems to play longer than the yardage would indicate.
Number 9: Par 4, 245 yards. A nice dogleg left per 4 to finish off the front nine. Keep your tee shot on the right side of the left fairway bunker; a good drive can easily leave a 100 yard pitch shot to the large green that is shared with the 18th hole. Water in front of the green keeps you honest with your approach shot and eliminates the bump and run. A tee shot pulled long and left can easily find the water. The green slopes back to front with sand short and right.
Number 11: Par 3, 213 yards. Water down the right side makes this long par 3 an interesting hole. There is very little trouble on the hole outside of the water; it’s the length that makes it a challenge.
Number 15: Par 4, 327 yards. Although driver is not a necessity off the tee, the landing area is wide enough that it probably won’t get you in trouble. Whatever you hit off the tee, odds are you will have a fairly shot chip shot to a green fronted by a couple of pot bunkers.
Number 18: Par 4, 358 yards. You’ll need a well-placed tee shot down the left side and right of the fairway bunkers to open up the dogleg and take as much of the water out of play as possible. Be wary of the sand to the right of the green and you can easily end your round with a par or better.
Last Word: If water isn’t your thing, then you could be in for a long, forgettable day. Lexington is a great layout and Gordon Lewis was on his game when he designed the course; it’s a great use of water, sand and more water. Even with all the water that comes into play off the tee there are no overly long carry shots required.
The course is immaculately maintained. The numerous sand traps are well manicured and groomed, the rough around the water is well-trimmed and the green complexes are impeccable. Mounding is primarily on the periphery – and there is a lot of it.
The greens are a thing of beauty. Lots of slope and undulation; even the shortest putt imaginable can have some break to it. They are in tremendous shape and roll true. Lexington is very laser rangefinder friendly; not only do the pins have reflectors, so do the 150 yard markers.
If you get the chance to play at Lexington Country Club, you will find the staff warm and friendly; from Jim Nucherino, the head professional all the way to the starters and course rangers. For more information on becoming a member at Lexington, please visit the website at www.lexingtoncountryclub.com.