Course History
The Course was designed in the early 80's. The original architect was "Gentleman Joe Lee", whose fifty-plus year career earned him a reputation as a southern gentleman who designed and built player-friendly golf courses around the world. His courses are known to challenge all levels of golfers.
A native Floridian, Joe Lee designed and renovated more than 250 courses, first working alongside noted architect Dick Wilson. Among his more famous PGA tournament courses are Doral's Blue Monster, LaCosta, Bay Hill, Cog Hill (Western Open), and Warwick Hills (Buick Open).
In 2003, Travel & Leisure wrote a feature on the legacy of Joe Lee, commenting that
"…a craving for the comfort of old favorites [in golf design] is back in style. Many golfers are recognizing that the timeless, straightforward qualities of Joe Lee designs are worth savoring….No bells and whistles, no gimmicks. Thoroughly challenging, yet easy on the eyes and easy to get around. In other words, pure fun for every level of golfer."
–"Joe Lee's Legacy", Travel & Leisure Magazine, November 2003
Re-Design 2007
The $4 million Piper's Landing Championship Course renovation was completed in 2007 by renowned golf course architect Gene Bates and his staff at Gene Bates Golf Design.
In the 1980's, Bates served as Vice President of Design & Construction Services for Jack Nicklaus Golf Services. He has since become a top designer in the industry, and was named Golf Course Architect of the Year in 2004. His Top 10 designs have all received national recognition from publications such as Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, the Audubon Cooperative Society, Golf Week, America's Top 10 Golf Courses-Zagat Survey, Best Course in the West Magazine and Golf World Magazine.
Overall, Bates has provided professional service for the design and coordination of 150 golf courses around the world. Fittingly, he has renovated a number of Joe Lee courses, successfully modernizing the design while maintaining the original integrity and basic design principles.
Course Architecture
Beyond our course's reputation for challenging holes and exquisite tropical scenery, its gentle rolling terrain is engineered so that even if there is a 5-inch rainfall, we can reopen within hours, rather than days. Approximately 14 acres of native grass areas reduce our need for irrigation while creating a serene beauty with abundant wading bird and wildlife populations to enjoy.
With six tees available for any skill level, the course becomes six different courses to accommodate all of our membership and their respective skill levels. Coquina cart paths meander through South Florida's famous natural ambiance, specifically designed so that you can drive your cart to any ball across the fairway or in the rough. A custom-designed irrigation system creates the ability for each of our sprinklers to be individually controlled.