The Plantation Golf and Country Club

The Plantation Golf and Country Club sits in Fort Myers on Florida's Gulf Coast, a region known for its flat, subtropical terrain and abundant residential golf communities. The course was designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, a partnership recognized for creating strategic layouts that balance playability with thoughtful design elements. Their work often emphasizes natural land features and environmental sensitivity, adapting routing to existing topography rather than imposing dramatic earthwork. The Fort Myers area presents design challenges typical of southwest Florida: minimal elevation change, sandy soils, and water management considerations. Courses here generally incorporate lakes, wetlands, and native vegetation into the routing, both for drainage and to define playing corridors. The Plantation likely reflects these regional characteristics, with water hazards and bunkers providing the primary strategic interest on a relatively level site. The subtropical climate supports lush fairway conditions and allows year-round play, making it a destination for seasonal residents and visitors escaping northern winters. Hurdzan and Fry's design philosophy typically produces courses that reward course management and accurate iron play over pure distance. Their layouts often feature multiple teeing grounds to accommodate different skill levels, and green complexes with subtle contours that require careful approach shots. The Plantation serves as the centerpiece of a private country club community, offering members a home course that emphasizes playability and consistent conditioning within the context of southwest Florida golf.