So, the geniuses in Estero, Florida, are at it again. They're slapping up a new private golf club, Pandion Club, apparently named after some bird. Ospreys. Groundbreaking stuff. And where, you ask, is this avian-themed palace of putts going? Yep, right on top of the old Old Corkscrew Golf Club. The one that conveniently went belly-up earlier this year. Some things never change, do they? One course kicks the bucket, and a fancier one sprouts from its sandy grave. They've broken ground, which I guess counts as "progress" if your definition involves more perfectly manicured grass that most of us will never touch.
The architect, a chap named Kyle Phillips, is apparently channeling the spirit of English heathlands. He's building it on sandy soil, which is a good start – at least it won't be a swamp when it rains for the tenth time that week. He's done this before, apparently. Kingsbarns and Dundonald. Big whoop. This new monstrosity will be a par-71, a sprawling 7,220 yards. They're promising "firm and fast conditions," a phrase I suspect is golf-speak for "good luck with that slice." And naturally, you'll have to "think your way around." Because paying $280 for membership just to hack it into the woods isn't enough of a challenge.
The whole shebang is being bankrolled by the Hoffmann Family. They snagged the land for a cool $14.5 million, which is what I spend on coffee in a good week. These are the same folks who own the Pittsburgh Penguins. A hockey family building a golf course. Makes perfect sense. I can just picture it: "Alright boys, this ice is too predictable, let's go find some sand traps." They're aiming for a "unique, best-in-class experience." You don't say. They want you to feel like you've ascended to a higher plane of existence, a sanctuary of nature and perfectly struck irons.
They've even hired a new director of agronomy, Bob Wren, who's migrating over from another one of their gilded cages. Glase Golf is doing the actual dirty work of construction. So, a whole lot of very important people are involved in building another golf course most of us will only ever see on Instagram. It's slated to open in 2027. Circle that date. Or don't. We'll all still be topping our drives and looking for our balls in the azaleas, no matter what fancy bird name is plastered on the clubhouse.