The Bear Course at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers is one of three championship layouts at this established Southwest Florida facility. Designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1976, the course takes its name from the natural character of the region, where dense Florida vegetation and native wildlife create a secluded playing environment. Hills, known for his work throughout Florida during the 1970s and 1980s, routed the Bear through mature pine and palmetto forests typical of the area's inland terrain. The layout features tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy off the tee, with strategic bunkering and water hazards coming into play on several holes. The course's design reflects the era's emphasis on target golf, where positioning and course management often matter more than pure distance. Elevation changes are modest, as is typical for Southwest Florida courses, but the dense vegetation creates natural corridors that define each hole distinctly from its neighbors. The Forest Country Club serves as a private equity club with a membership drawn largely from seasonal residents and year-round locals in the Fort Myers area. The facility's three courses—Bear, Fox, and Panther—allow members variety in their regular play, with the Bear generally regarded as the most challenging of the trio. The club's amenities include traditional country club dining and social facilities that complement the golf offerings.

The Bear Course at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers is one of three championship layouts at this established Southwest Florida facility. Designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1976, the course takes its name from the natural character of the region, where dense Florida vegetation and native wildlife create a secluded playing environment. Hills, known for his work throughout Florida during the 1970s and 1980s, routed the Bear through mature pine and palmetto forests typical of the area's inland terrain. The layout features tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy off the tee, with strategic bunkering and water hazards coming into play on several holes. The course's design reflects the era's emphasis on target golf, where positioning and course management often matter more than pure distance. Elevation changes are modest, as is typical for Southwest Florida courses, but the dense vegetation creates natural corridors that define each hole distinctly from its neighbors. The Forest Country Club serves as a private equity club with a membership drawn largely from seasonal residents and year-round locals in the Fort Myers area. The facility's three courses—Bear, Fox, and Panther—allow members variety in their regular play, with the Bear generally regarded as the most challenging of the trio. The club's amenities include traditional country club dining and social facilities that complement the golf offerings.