Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club, which recently topped Venice Gondolier‘s “Best Golf & Country Club” category for 2002, has expanded its Ted McAnlis-designed golf course from 18 to 27 holes. The new nine holes, which measure approximately 3,500 yards, will open for play in November 2002 and will enhance the original 7,192-yard Pelican Pointe course, which is rated at 75.1 with a slope of 138.

Situated in the Hatchett Creek nature preserve, the new nine features old-growth Florida forests and abundant foliage. The first three holes are heavily tree-lined, with nature as your only companion. The natural theme is carried throughout the course by the use of shell pathways which meander through the course and expand adjacent to wetland areas to form waste bunkers. The greens are generally large but heavily guarded by the many elements of water, sand and wetlands.

True to the integrity of the original course, where the nineth (Meadows course) & 18th (Preserve course) are considered the toughest holes, the last hole on the Hatchett Creek nine is a demanding par-5. A double-dogleg, the tree-lined fairway is a visual challenge, creating an illusion from the tees of a very narrow fairway landing area. Even big hitters will consider this a three-shot hole to the small green with water framing the back.

Buena Vista Hospitality Group, Inc., a Tampa-based international resort and golf club development and management company, acquired the club in late December of 2001. Other Buena Vista properties include Tucker’s Point Club in Bermuda, Chateau Cartier Resort in Canada, and LPGA International, home of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club is a semi-private club conveniently located in Venice off Center Road, just minutes from I-75 and US 41.