Spanish Wells - Gateway to the Golf

Founded in 1979, a full 20 years before the Southwest Florida city of Bonita Springs officially became a city, Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club is one of Lee County’s finest and most established private golf clubs.

Entering its 30th year of operation, Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club, a member-owned and operated club, is situated within the 600-acre gated community of Spanish Wells. The club has 27 holes of championship golf, a new 32,000-squarefoot clubhouse with several fine and casual dining venues, an excellent tennis program, occe courts, swimming pool and a technologically sophisticated fitness center.

Spanish Wells is tucked away in the consistently expanding city of Bonita Springs, which is conveniently located between two metropolitan areas, Naples and Fort Myers, and equidistant from Tampa to the north and Miami to the east.

Fondly referred to as the “Gateway to the Gulf,” Bonita Springs boasts a cheerful tropical climate, and combines a smalltown charm with cosmopolitan amenities.

Centrally located on Bonita Beach Road, Spanish Wells is just a few miles from the white sandy beaches of Bonita Beach and Barefoot Beach, the outstanding Coconut Point Mall, the Southwest Florida International Airport and an assortment of shopping and dining establishments. A number of swamps, wildlife sanctuaries and nature preserves are also nearby for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.

While there is a long list of activities to explore as a member of Spanish Wells, the most common question within the walls of the gated community is “How is your golf game.”

As one of the oldest golf facilities in the area, the 27-hole facility at Spanish Wells has been gradually maturing into one of the finest layouts in Southwest Florida for the past 30 years. The three nines are interchangeable, but all equally classic featuring small greens and offering a big challenge.

Lined with towering palms and complete with a new ultramodern irrigation system, the 27-hole course ensures a low member-to-hole ratio, and a variety of play options that creates plenty of tee time opportunities. Play ranges from 4,300 yards to 6,800 from a multitude of tee positions.

Practice facilities include a new practice range, a pitching and chipping area, a separate practice area for sand play and two large putting greens. As you make your way from tee to green, stroll through the pro shop or sample the fine cuisine at one of the club’s enticing restaurants, you’re sure to run nto an interesting mix of members and guests. One of the added benefits of joining a community that has been developing for 30 years is the healthy variety of members, in terms of age, interests and position in life.

“Most communities are built up in five years,” said Spanish Wells’ General Manager, Doug Burnham. “Everyone who buys does so at the same time, and they’re around the same age.”

Not at Spanish Wells, where the membership is a more accurate representation of the community as a whole. As the club likes to quote, “Spanish Wells is the cure for the generation gap.”

More than half of the residents of Spanish Wells live in the community full-time, evenly divided between those who are retired and upwardly mobile professionals and business people, plus their families. The remaining balance are seasonal residents.

Non-Resident Memberships Available

It’s fair to say that all country clubs are not created equal, and you’ll agree after exploring the variety of membership options offered at Spanish Wells.

While most private golf course communities offer just social and golf memberships to residents only, Spanish Wells has embraced the concept of inclusivity within an exclusive setting by offering non-resident memberships as well. The club offers very reasonable rates that put them at the bottom of the price pack, making Spanish Wells the most affordable choice in the region.

Prospective members can choose from nine different membership categories that range from a basic dining membership, all the way up to a full equity golf membership. Each category also offers a single option.

“We’re in a position to take care of everyone’s needs,” said Burnham. “Whether it’s just the dining atmosphere or a full-blown equity golf membership, we give everyone an opportunity to become a member. It’s comfortable and it’s tailored to suit your specific needs.”

There are a number of ways to test drive a Spanish Wells membership including a weekly passport, which consists of golf and all club amenities and the Member for a Day program, which features golf and lunch for $100.

The nine membership options at Spanish Wells are as follows (F&B Deposit not included):

• Dining Membership – The most basic membership option will provide access to Spanish Wells’ resplendent dining facilities. Only dining privileges are included in this membership. Initiation fee is $100 and Annual dues and fees are $200 (Family) and $165 (Single).
• Social Membership – One of the most popular memberships includes dining privileges, use of the clubs’ five Har-Trutennis courts, swimming pool, bocce courts, plus access to special events and the card room. Initiation fee is $844 and Annual dues and fees are $800 (Family) and $584 (Single). That breaks down to only $2.97 per day.
• Resident Membership – This membership includes everything listed in the social membership plus unlimited use of the club’s fitness equipment and classes. Initiation fee is $1,000 and Annual dues and fees are $1,680 (Family) and $1,159 (Single).
• Activity Membership – You’ll stay busy with this package that includes dining, use of tennis courts, swimming pool, bocce courts, access to special events and card room, unlimited use of fitness equipment and classes, plus unlimited golf in the summer for cart fee only as well as two-day advance tee time reservations. Initiation fee is $3,250 and Annual dues and fees are $2,100 (Family) and $1,449 (Single).
• Associate Membership – This membership offers all of the amenities of the club, plus unlimited golf in season for family guest rate and four-day advance tee time reservations. Initiation fee is $10,000 (100 percent refundable if recalled by club) and Annual dues and fees are $4,680 (Family) and $3,378 (Single). A payment plan is available with this membership.
• Intermediate Membership – One of the elite membership options. Includes everything found in the associate membership plus unlimited golf in season with special rates before noon and afternoon and one week advance tee time reservations. Initiation fee is $20,000 (50 percent refundable when sold by club) and Annual dues and fees are $6,540 (Family) and $4,587 (Single).
• Equity Golf Membership –This is the elite membership of the club. Privileges include all club activities plus private golf cart use, discount for guest play, voting rights and two weeks advance tee time reservations. Initiation fee is $50,000 (80 percent refundable when sold by club) and Annual dues and fees are $8,400 (Family) and $5,796 (Single).
• Convertible Membership – This membership includes all Equity Golf membership privileges except members must be a resident of Spanish Wells to own their own golf cart and has no voting rights. Initiation fee is $19,900 (five years) and $14,900 (three years) and Annual dues and fees are $8,400 (Family) and $5,796 (Single). One-hundred percent of your initial investment can be applied to an Equity Golf or Intermediate membership.
• Annual Membership – This membership includes all club activities, with the exception of private golf cart use and voting rights. Payment is required up front, but there are no other fees or charges after that. This membership runs from October 1 until September 30 and costs $8,800 annually.