Once the exclusive hunting and fishing grounds of the Calusa Indians, Rotonda Golf & Country Club, with it’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife, still belongs to an elite fraternity- one that is made up of the very few golf and country clubs consisting of 81 holes under one flag.
Located on the Cape Haze Peninsula in western Charlotte County, close to the Gulf of Mexico, Rotonda is a comfortable, semi-private club catering to golfers looking for affordable golf without sacrificing quality. As the site of the Charlotte County Open for five of the the past seven years, the club proves its versatility and playability by being demanding enough for tournaments, yet ideal for recreational golfers.
Members and daily fee players enjoy the variety of playing two championship 18-hole par-72 courses, the Palms Course and the Hills Course, or the equally challenging Long Marsh course, which just last year expanded to 27 holes. The 18-hole par 64 Cape Haze Links course rounds out the group with a layout that is a fun place for beginners, junior and senior golfers, but worthy of serious golfers in the use of water and bunkers on 35 of the 80 acres.
As a perfect finishing touch, each of the four courses sports a clubhouse with a pro shop for golf merchandise, professional instruction at the practice centers and a 19th hole for a cozy lunch or drink after the round.
The Hills clubhouse is the largest of the four and is an elegant setting for a wedding, reunion, birthday celebration or corporate gathering. The Hills dining room opens to the public for popular “all you can eat” dinners Wednesday and Friday nights. Wednesday it’s prime rib for only $11.95, and people flock to Fish Fry Fridays for the great food and $10.95 price tag.
You don’t have to be a member to take advantage of these great amenities, but membership has it’s merits. A family pays $3150 annually to play all four courses for only a cart fee, and there’s no monthly minimum charge for food or beverage. In addition, members who visit Orlando may play two “sister” courses - Kissimmee Bay and the 4-star Golf Digest rated Remington Golf Club - absolutely free!
If you are an avid golfer and a membership isn’t logistically possible for you, then you'll want to explore using the Big Summer Golf Card® for the lowest summer prime time morning rates for golfers in the area - ranging from $24 at the Hills to $26 at Long Marsh for 18 holes. But be warned, once you play one of the courses you’ll want to chase that ball around another manicured fairway and another, then another. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this is to take advantage of their affordable weekly and weekend Stay & Play packages.
Rotonda offers a variety of choices of deluxe accommodations and play
options including a 3 bedroom, 2 bath luxury home with pool that
features views of a lake and golf course.
Seasonal packages through October start at $500 per foursome and include golf. The packages are available at www.rotondagolf.com.
While you are on the Web site, make sure you sign up for online specials and register to receive a free round of golf on your birthday. Rotonda’s site also offers the convenience of booking tee times on-line and ordering gift certificates or merchandise.
To get the most golf for your dollar this summer, Rotonda offers more than 81 reasons to come on out and play! You will see why the readers of the Charlotte Sun Herald awarded Rotonda the distinction of “the best course in Charlotte County”.
Easily accessible yet far from the crowded fairways, Rotonda Golf &
Country Club is conveniently located just south of Venice and
Englewood. Take exit 191, River Road to Pine Street.Turn left to
Rotonda Blvd West, then left, to Rotonda Circle. Go left to Palms,
right to Hills and Links, or straight to Long Marsh. For more
information, visit their web site at www.rotondagolf.com.