Our Story at The Nest

Built before the community of Pelican Landing, our courses are truly special.

The original 18 hole public golf course, designed by master golf architect Tom Fazio, opened in 1985 and was ranked by Golf Digest as one of the country's top three new public courses of the year. That course was the interior of two courses planned for the site. A Golf Shop was the first structure to be built and later it was surrounded by a practice putting green and a separate, small clubhouse which contained a meeting room, bar and dining room. A small restaurant, called Redfish Point was built beside the eighteenth green over looking the back bay of Estero. 

Pelican’s Nest Golf Course is where the legends played. The course attracted an impressive A-list of golfers, including Gary Player, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino, Ken Venturi, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh and Bob Goalby just to name a few. Pelican's Nest Golf Course earned accolades as one of the top golf courses in the United States from Golf Digest, Florida Golfer, Golf Course Architects Association and others. The New York Times named the course "as one of the top nine places to play in Florida, a west coast gem."

Pelican's Nest reputation for outstanding golf grew and in 1988 Mr. Fazio sculpted an additional nine holes. In 1993, once again, nine new holes were integrated with the existing twenty seven holes to create four "new" nines with a balance of yardage and par among any of the nine-hole combinations. In 1999, some more changes were made and the 36 holes now play as two eighteen-hole courses, called Gator and Hurricane. The multiple facets of each hole, are easily appreciated by all who play. Regardless of tee choice, the strategy is as evident as the beauty. The par threes are showcased in spectacular settings. 

In 1995, 300 memberships were sold in one month raising the $9,000,000 needed to close the deal on the purchase of 27 holes from Westinghouse for $17,000,000. The remaining 9-holes were purchased in 1998 from the then developer WCI. The members assumed control on July 1,1999 and Pelican's Nest Golf Club was established. 
 
A new clubhouse was designed by Dietrich & Associates out of Atlanta and completed in May of 2001. A renovation of the Grill Room and terrace was completed in 2007. The private club experience was further enhanced by our newly renovated, multi-million-dollar clubhouse completed in June 2020.

Our two, beautifully conditioned 18 hole courses offer diverse shot values and consistent playability. To appeal to all golfers ability and age, scoring tees were added to both courses in 2015. In 2015 and 2016 the greens and bunkers on both golf courses and the practice facilities were reconstructed and the infrastructure to begin using reclaimed water was installed. Members enjoy full practice facilities and a state-of-the-art golf shop staffed by courteous personnel.

The Nest sits amidst a forest of live oaks and scrub pines and protected wetland marsh areas. Our commitment to maintaining and enhancing the natural Southwest Florida environment is recognized with designation by Audubon International as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" since 2001. In season, bird tours are available once a month for our members enjoyment.