Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News
Golf is dying? Get your head out of the bunker.
Newly arriving and redeveloping golf courses and country clubs are major drivers for the Naples area’s booming construction industry fueling the local economy.
And 105 years after the first Collier County course that eventually became part of Naples Airport, there’s good reason for that: The sport is hotter than ever after last decade’s lull led to widespread predictions of pending doom.
Established in 1936, the National Golf Federation found that more rounds were played in 2023 than at any other time in its history, and it’s trending even higher this year and more than 10% ahead of where it was in leaner times prior to the pandemic, when new and younger enthusiasts discovered the hobby and others returned to it.
“COVID hit, and it was a run on golf,” said Jason Becker, who is founder of Naples-based Golf Life Navigators, which inspired by the E-Harmony concept matches prospective members with clubs, and makes appearances on Golf Radio Network podcasts geared toward private club managers. “What happened was all the golf courses became full.”
And that hasn’t subsided, with projected 2024 U.S, revenues of $31.3 billion and a growing number of millennials in an industry that had struggled after “aggressive construction” in the 1990s and early this century resulted in more golf courses than golf players, according to IbisWorld, which has been doing market research since 1971.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Do you want to find a home in Southwest Florida, close to many places to golf? Contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to find home.
Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News
Long pants? Check.
Long-sleeved shirt? Check.
Mosquito repellant? Check.
The biggest decision: Sneakers or rubber boots?
I opted for beat-up sneakers that had previously survived a summer deluge.
On what was predicted to be a real-feel day of 107 degrees, I was dressing for a visit to Jacques and Lysielle Cariot’s swamp farm, where they unwind after 70-hour work weeks.
The couple is famous for Bleu Provence, arguably Naples’ most prestigious restaurant, which has achieved global recognition for its astounding wine offerings.
Yet unlike several regional restaurants that list local food purveyors — a wonderful thing to be encouraged— Bleu Provence’s menu does not mention their farm as a source. Eggs, fruit, vegetables and herbs grown there are ingredients at the restaurant.
Why?
It’s a work in progress.
“Two years ago, we started to plant vegetables every week, and serve what’s in season,” said Lysielle.
The jam accompanying foie gras is the farm’s papaya. Black grouper’s citrus-papaya sauce and sweet potato chips garnish are harvested there, too.
Just-picked berries adorning a luscious pavlova or meringue? The tuna tartare’s mango and passionfruit coulis? Peppers, squash and tomatoes in ratatouille?
All from the farm.
Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.
Would you like to own a home in Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island area of Southwest Florida? Contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
J. Kyle Foster | Naples Daily News
After months of conversations and arguments about an entryway befitting Naples and a five-star beach resort, the city’s Design Review Board has approved site and landscaping plans for the porte-cochere at the Naples Beach Club on Gulf Shore Boulevard.
The beach club, a Four Seasons resort, is under construction on the beach facing the Gulf of Mexico. Its 216-luxury rooms are replacing the 319-room Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, which stood on the site since 1946.
City manager tasked with decision on entry covering
City Council put the fate of the “porte cochere” in the hands of City Manager Jay Boodheshwar in January after members failed to come to consensus on a design during that meeting – and that was after considering three proposals in three months from Beach Club architect Hart Howerton. Council members couldn’t decide on whether to allow the developer to build the driveway cover because the designs all required encroachment on setbacks, which are minimum distances required around a building set forth in the city’s Land Use Ordinance.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
A cottage-style luxury estate near downtown Naples will be sold to the highest bidder.
Unless it sells before a scheduled auction.
The nearly 5,000-square-foot home, built in 2022, is described as “absolutely superb,” sitting on a quiet street in the “heart of town.”
“It is spectacular. The sellers moved to a condo on the beach for personal reasons,” said Randy Haddaway, founder and CEO of Elite Auctions.
The newest one at 739 5th Avenue N. in Old Naples is headed for auction in a few weeks. As usual, it’s without reserve, meaning the sellers don’t have a minimum price.
The home, with five ensuite bedrooms, includes a total of seven bathrooms and a study.
The current listing price is $5,995,000.
Read more about this “Superb” property and view photos and video on naplesnews.com.
Contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 for more information and to view this luxury property.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
Southwest Florida is home to some of the fastest-growing companies in America.
Once again, a handful of private companies made it onto the Inc. 5000 list.
The 2024 list includes 27 companies from Lee and Collier counties. The rankings are based on revenue growth from 2020 through 2023.
With a median growth rate of 351% over the last three years, the local companies generated 1,114 jobs. Nearly half of them have appeared on the list before, so they come as no surprise to those who follow the annual rankings.
To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit and independent, with revenue of at least $2 million in 2023. Revenue figures are not disclosed in the list.
The local group of honorees includes businesses in diverse industries, from advertising to software.
Estero-based XIL Health ranks the highest – coming in at No. 117. It’s revenue growth rate? A whopping, 2,874%.
The pharma-tech company attributes the explosive growth to its sister company Visory Health, which offers a prescription discount card.
Read about other Southwest Florida companies that are on the list on naplesnews.com.
Jonah Hinebaugh
Jason Bays, general manager for the lodge, shows off teh adventure park area during a tour at the Great Wolf Lodge in Naples on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.
View all the photos on naplesnews.com.
