Twin Isles Country Club

Twin Isles Country Club occupies a waterfront setting in Punta Gorda, a city on Florida's southwest Gulf Coast where Charlotte Harbor meets the Peace River. Ron Garl designed the course during a period when he was establishing himself as a prominent Florida architect, known for creating playable layouts that incorporate the state's natural water features and flat terrain. The routing takes advantage of the property's proximity to tidal waters, with several holes playing along or near the shoreline. The course reflects Garl's characteristic approach to Florida golf design: strategic bunkering, generous landing areas for average players, and greens that reward accurate approach shots without punishing moderate misses. Water comes into play on multiple holes, both as hazard and scenic element, while native vegetation frames fairways and defines playing corridors. The flat topography typical of this coastal region means elevation change is minimal, placing emphasis on horizontal design elements and shot placement rather than dramatic contours. Twin Isles serves a residential community in Punta Gorda, a city that has grown as a Southwest Florida destination while maintaining a more relaxed character than larger coastal markets to the south. The club provides a traditional country club experience for its membership, with the golf course as the central amenity. The layout offers a straightforward test suitable for daily play in Florida's warm climate, where afternoon thunderstorms and seasonal heat influence both maintenance practices and playing conditions throughout much of the year.