OVERVIEW
With stacked, sod-wall bunkers, coquina-shell waste areas and impeccable customer service, Tiburón is a unique golfing experience.
It doesn't have the jaw-dropping effect of a stroll down Magnolia Lane, but a final turn onto the slightly inclined Tiburón Drive sends a message that you're in for something special.
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 Tiburón.
"The goal was to disturb as little as possible," Tiburón 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."
Tiburón Golf Club, host of the Merrill Lynch Shootout since 2001, 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, Tiburón will leave a golfer digging in the bag for another piece of ammunition.
The first 27 holes opened in November 1998. The fourth nine opened Oct. 8, 2002 completing Tiburón's 36-hole routing.
