Egret/Heron at The Club at Pelican Preserve

The Club at Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers features two eighteen-hole courses designed by Chip Powell, known collectively as the Egret and Heron nines. Powell, who has designed numerous courses throughout Florida, created these layouts as part of a master-planned community in Southwest Florida. The courses opened in the mid-2000s as the centerpiece of the residential development.

The routing works through typical Southwest Florida terrain characterized by flat topography, native wetlands, and preserved natural areas that provide habitat for the wading birds referenced in the course names. Water features appear throughout both nines, integrated into the strategic design in ways that require thoughtful club selection and course management. The layout incorporates the region's characteristic palm trees, native grasses, and sandy waste areas.

As part of a private club within a gated community, Pelican Preserve serves primarily as a membership amenity for residents. The facility includes practice areas and clubhouse amenities typical of Florida country club developments. The courses are designed to accommodate a range of skill levels while providing enough challenge to maintain member interest over repeated play.

The Fort Myers area has seen considerable golf development over recent decades, and Pelican Preserve represents the style of residential golf community common to the region—courses integrated into neighborhood planning with an emphasis on playability and aesthetic appeal rather than championship-level difficulty or tournament hosting.