Santa Lucia River at Santa Lucia River Club

Santa Lucia River Club's course is a Jack Nicklaus design situated in Port St. Lucie on Florida's Treasure Coast. The layout occupies land along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, incorporating the waterway and surrounding wetlands into the routing. Nicklaus's work here reflects his approach to Florida golf design during the development boom of the region, balancing strategic shot values with the environmental constraints of low-lying coastal terrain.

The course moves through a mix of native vegetation, including palmettos and live oaks, with water hazards appearing throughout the round. Several holes play directly along or across tidal marshes, requiring carries over protected wetland areas. The flat topography typical of this part of Florida means that much of the challenge comes from wind exposure, water placement, and green contouring rather than elevation change. Nicklaus incorporated waste bunkers and sandy areas that echo the natural landscape while framing fairways and approach shots.

Santa Lucia River Club operates as a private equity club, part of the residential community development that characterizes much of Port St. Lucie's growth in recent decades. The club offers amenities beyond golf, including tennis and fitness facilities, and serves as a social hub for its membership. The course itself is maintained to standards consistent with upscale private clubs in the region, with Bermuda grass surfaces suited to the subtropical climate.