Gasparilla Inn & Golf Club

The Gasparilla Inn Golf Course in Boca Grande is an old exclusive club and resort, started in the early 1900's, on Gasparilla Island in Boca Grande, on the Gulf coast, just west of Port Charlotte. It might be the more laid back equivalent of the Breakers in Palm Beach, less pretentious, a little more laid back, except when the Bush's are staying there for their annual Christmas trip, and tarpon fishing. The course opened in the 1933, and was reportedly designed by Barron Collier, Sr. who purchased The Inn in 1930, he also had previously developed the golf course on Useppa Island in 1916, more of a land baron than a golf course architect. The course was recently redesigned by Pete Dye, and is a par 72, layout of 6,811 yards routed over the barrier island. There's a good collection of holes, 12-17 along Charlotte Harbor. The course rating is 73.5 and slope is 129, and you can tell Pete Dye had a hand in the redesign. Challenging, mounded and undulating fairways, well guarded greens, and plenty of water, always wind in play, and the only way you can play it is if you're staying at the lodge, both somewhat expensive. Classic old resort.