Naples, Florida private club embarks on largest course transformation in its history, led by renowned golf course architect Forse
NAPLES, Florida – Quail Creek Country Club, a private and member-owned club in North Naples, Florida, announced a $26 million golf course renovation, the first large-scale course project in the Club’s 44-year history.
Led by renowned golf course architect Ron Forse of Forse Design, Inc., the project scope includes wall-to-wall renovation of the club’s 36 holes, modernized golf course infrastructure, a redesigned practice facility and enhanced course amenities.
Originally designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1981 as one of North Naples’ original golf course properties, Quail Creek’s long-range plan includes back-to-back renovations of each of its 18-hole courses. Construction begins on the 18-hole Creek course in April 2026, followed by The Quail in April 2027.
The renovated Creek course is slated to reopen after construction in December 2026, and The Quail course will follow the same cadence with reopening scheduled for December 2027.
“This is not just a renovation, it’s more of a reimagining,” said Forse. “We’re working with a solid footprint with a lot of natural beauty existing on the golf holes. Unlike many courses in Florida, Quail Creek is roomy with expansive golf corridors and a mature native pine landscape; we are going to build on Art Hills’ foundation, creatively incorporating the principles of classic golf architecture on a modern Quail Creek canvas. The course will feel familiar but new to the Members, with more strategic interest, added distinction and striking naturalness.”
Most notably, Forse’s improvement plans include a complete reconstruction of every green, aiming for playable designs that reward well-struck shots and ensuring no two holes play alike.
“The new course will deliver its own unique experience, and like timeless and distinguished designs, each hole will be worthy of a name,” said Forse.
“We saw a course that was too difficult for some golfers but wasn’t hard enough for the scratch player; it accommodated too few types of golf shots,” he continued. “This will change with the renovation; it will be more strategic and interesting for the better golfer and more playable for an average player or short hitter, as well offering more ways to creatively play the hole.”
In addition to golf course architect Forse, the construction team includes Quail Creek Country Club General Manager Chris Evans; Director of Golf Courses & Grounds Gregg Caspio; Turf Consultant Mark Burrows; Clarke Construction Group of Fort Myers, Florida, to lead the course work; and Nutt Construction of Tullahoma, Tennessee, to install the new irrigation system.
After securing resounding approval from the membership in March of 2025, the Club’s Board of Directors, Construction Committee and Green Committee will actively oversee the assembled construction team and the implementation of the Club’s vision, culminating years of their meticulous planning, financial stewardship and strategic foresight.
During the summer of 2025, to prepare The Creek course for renovation, Caspio and his golf course maintenance team successfully initiated a strategic termination of the existing turfgrass. This advanced measure allows the course to accept the installation of the new playing surfaces, including TifEagle putting surfaces.
The Creek course was then temporarily overseeded with ryegrass to accommodate Member play throughout the 2025-2026 Southwest Florida golf season before being closed for construction in April.
The golf course renovation builds upon a history of significant club improvements, including the completion of a 33,000-square-foot Sports Center & Spa in 2019, which was part of an $18.5 million investment.
Recently reaffirmed as a Distinguished Club with Exceptional Status by Boardroom magazine, Quail Creek opened this golf season with a complete interior refresh of the clubhouse, a fully subscribed leadership roster, a newly introduced young executive membership, and brand and website refresh, all reflecting the Club’s palpable evolution.
“The golf course renovation is the beginning of our next chapter, and it’s truly a reaffirmation of Quail Creek’s legacy as a premier private club in Naples,” stated Evans. “With Ron Forse’s vision, supported by our agronomy and construction teams and our Board, we are building a golf course of enduring, championship quality that will be immensely enjoyable for generations to come.”