Lely Resort's Mustang golf course closed in May. The main focus of the project was to regrass the fairways, the rough and tee boxes. Minor changes were also made to the current layout that included additional irrigation, tree trimming and par-3 tee box expansions.
The existing greens, which are only a few years old, are in excellent shape, so the Club decided to just replace the collars around the greens. The golf course was closed for the summer and reopened on Saturday, Nov. 11 to glowing reviews.
The 21-year old Mustang course, designed by Lee Trevino, now has new Bimini grass. Last summer The Classics golf course, designed by Gary Player, was regrassed with two grasses — Bimini and Celebration grass. On the Classics project, Bimini grass was used in the rough only. However, due to all of Bimini’s great qualities, the Mustang course now flourishes with this specialized turf grass in the rough, fairways and tee boxes. The Club determined that Bimini grass can be cut at a higher length, takes less water and requires less fertilization than the other turf grass. In addition, Bimini grass stays greener than other grasses and divots recover faster.
“With this resilient and hearty turf grass, we created some of the best fairways and rough in Naples” said Lely Regional Manager David Leverant. "Overall, the topography of the course did not change, but we enlarged, laser-leveled and widened some of the tee boxes and we also added some waste bunkers to enhance some specific holes," Leverant added. "This will be a major upgrade for our members and for public golfers because it will offer a premier resort golf experience for Naples residents and visitors."
The Mustang/Flamingo Clubhouse also received a facelift over the summer. This clubhouse is the hub for the Mustang and Flamingo Island golf courses and the golf-themed restaurant, Sam Snead’s. This restaurant now features new furniture in the restaurant and the bar, and the clubhouse now has new carpet, paint and tile in the entryway, the ladies' locker room and the men’s locker room.
Lely Resort Golf & Country Club is home to 54 holes of golf designed by three of golf’s most legendary names.
Naples residents can play golf on the Flamingo Island course and the Mustang course. These two layouts are designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Lee Trevino.
Classics members enjoy access to all three Lely golf courses.
American Golf operates more than 85 premier public, private and resort golf courses throughout the United States. American Golf manages the two Lely Resort courses and The Classics Country Club - a private country club. Members of The Classics enjoy 54 holes of championship golf, two clubhouses, tennis courts, bocce and a health club.
For more information contact Donald Sawin, Director of Sales at (239) 732-1200 or dsawin@lelyresortgolfandcountryclub.com