Treylan McDuffie Special to the Daily News
Each week we will introduce you to one of the toughest holes golfers will face playing in Southwest Florida. Not only will we tell you which holes are most challenging but also give you how-to tips to conquer these beasts, or at least not have to color a solid square on your scorecard.
Course: Kensington Golf & Country Club
Address: 2700 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, 34109
The Hole: No. 2, 362 yards, Par-4
About the course: Kensington is known for its pristine conditions and challenging layout. It offers a walkable course, allowing golfers to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings fully. Designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., it features lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and challenging greens. The front nine and back nine each provide a distinct set of challenges, ensuring a well-rounded golfing experience.
About the hole: a dogleg left, Hole 2 would be considered fairly short for some but for others, this challenging hole requires all of your focus. It includes water hazards running down the left side and strategically placed bunkers demanding accuracy and thoughtful shot placement.
Tee Shot: Aim your drive towards the right center of the fairway. This strategy helps steer clear of the water hazard that runs along the left side and positions you well for the dogleg. Avoid missing to the right of the fairway, you will not enjoy the next shot. Depending on your driving distance and accuracy, a driver or 3-wood is advisable. Accuracy over distance is key here.
Approach Shot: The green is guarded by bunkers at the front and left. Aim for the middle of the green to avoid these bunkers and give yourself the best chance for a safe landing. Consider the elevation of the green. You might need an extra club, especially if playing into the wind. A mid-iron or long iron, depending on the distance remaining after your tee shot, should be selected to ensure you reach the green. Factoring in wind conditions and the lie of the ball is crucial.
On the Green: The green features subtle undulations, so focus on speed control and aim for the high side of the hole to account for the breaks. Taking your time to read the slopes and plan your putt is essential for success.
Read about the Key Challenges and catch up on previous holes on naplesnews.com.
Summer Buyers Enjoy More Options as Inventory Picks Up in June
Naples, Fla. (July 26, 2024) – Despite a 59 percent increase in overall inventory during June (compared to June 2023), overall closed sales during the month decreased 17.3 percent to 710 closed sales from 859 closed sales in June 2023. Data reflected in the June 2024 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), showed the overall median closed price decreased .8 percent to $595,000 from $600,000 in June 2023. Broker analysts say a steady number of list price reductions each month coupled with more realistic prices set by sellers will help the Naples market find its new “sweet spot” for home buying.
Price reductions occur for many reasons: nearby comparative homes are priced lower, there have been no recent showings or offers on the home, the home has received a low appraisal, or to attract more buyers.
The June report showed 1,351 price reductions compared to 94 price increases. Coupled with a 95 percent list to sale price ratio, the data appears to indicate that sellers are making headway to adjust their initial asking prices to better reflect today’s market and, to some degree, are entertaining negotiations to secure a buyer.
A Bounty of Options
Summer buyers will enjoy more home options as the inventory of properties continues to rise compared to the last three years. In June, the 59 percent increase in inventory resulted in an available pool of 4,680 properties compared to only 2,943 properties during June 2023. Plus, confidence in the market remains steady with overall new listings in June increasing 1.5 percent to 896 new listings from 882 new listings in June 2023. Driving this influx of inventory was the number of new listings in the condominium market, which increased 9 percent compared to a 3.9 percent decrease in new listings for the single-family home market.
While inventory is nearly split between single-family homes and condominiums, the median close price in the single family home market decreased 3 percent in June to $730,000 from $752,500 in June 2023, while the median closed price in the condominium market increased .8 percent to $485,000 from $481,250.
The NABOR® June 2024 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. NABOR® sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings for 2024:
Geographic Standouts
The South Naples area (34112, 34113) reported the highest percentage of inventory increase in June (+80 percent) compared to other geographic areas tracked by NABOR®. The median closed price in South Naples increased 1.1 percent in June to $477,500 from $472,500 in June 2023. Alternately, the North Naples area (34109, 34110, 34119) showed the highest decrease in median closed price in June (-15.2 percent) to $627,500 from $740,000 in June 2023.
For more information about buying a home in the Naples, Florida area contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
A Rolls-Royce dealership could replace a decades old retail plaza in Naples.
The city’s Design Review Board expects to get its first look at the redevelopment plans later this summer.
The project appeared on a board agenda for preliminary review on June 26, but the hearing got continued to August. 28, without discussion.
Asked about the plans, Nick Berndt, a representative for the petitioner, Automotive Management Services, said: “I don’t have anything that I can share at this time.”
An affiliate already owns the new site at 710 Ninth St. N.
Plans involve demolishing the one-story plaza and replacing it with a two-story building on a 1.73-acre plot.
The current retail building spans a little more than 24,000 square feet. It’s home to seven businesses: Up for Grabs, Patio Outlet, Tara’s Hair Studio & Spa, American Mattress, Naples Optical, Napoli on the Bay Pizzeria and Skyline Chili.
The proposal is to build 20,000 square feet of air-conditioned space, including a showroom, offices and a service center.
Additionally, there would be roughly 37,000 square feet of unairconditioned space, including second floor and rooftop parking for vehicles in inventory, with ramp access.
An outdoor ground-level parking lot would include 68 spaces for customers and employees, and another 13 spots to display cars.
All of the required city departments completed their site plan review in March, finding the project sufficient to move ahead.
The project will require both preliminary and final review by the Design Review Board.
Read the full article and see photos on naplesnews.com.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
Ave Maria will soon be home to another large manufacturer.
On Tuesday, Barron Collier Cos. announced the sale of a 10-acre plot in the burgeoning town to Dialum, a Chilean-based glass manufacturer.
The manufacturer specializes in glass processing for commercial and residential applications. The new plant would serve as its U.S. headquarters.
The TALBA Group acted as Dialum’s broker for the transaction. The choice to locate in Ave Maria followed a year-long search across the state, noted Roberto Alvarez Vela, the group’s CEO.
Ave Maria emerged as the “clear winner” due to its location, the local workforce, the university – and the overall community, according to a press release by Barron Collier Cos.
The collaboration with Collier County’s economic development team and the support of Barron Collier Cos. also influenced Dialum’s final decision.
Barron Collier Cos. is the force behind the town, in partnership with Tom Monaghan, the creator of Domino’s Pizza and founder of Ave Maria University.
Plant to be built in Innovation Zone
The finishing plant for Dialum would be built within Ave Maria’s Innovation Zone. The company has been awarded $1.5 million in county incentives, which would come from property taxes generated in the zone.
The county created Innovation Zones in 2010 to promote economic development and diversify the local economy by encouraging the construction of corporate headquarters and manufacturing plants. There are three such zones.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Phoebe Wall Howard | Detroit Free Press
The Hoffmanns gobbled up the second of two ferry services that shuttle visitors to Mackinac Island from the mainland of Michigan.
The Naples-based Hoffmann Family of Companies closed on the deal with Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company near midnight on Friday.
It follows the family’s purchase of competitor Shepler’s Ferry two years ago.
Billionaire David Hoffmann, a Naples resident and the company’s founder, came from humble beginnings. He has shared stories of working as a child with his father, a milkman who made early morning deliveries door-to-door in tiny Washington, Missouri.
Employees of Star Line learned of the sale Saturday morning.
It will be business as usual for the company, and the jobs of all 200 employees are secure, said Jenny Gezella, president of Hoffmann Marine, which includes Shepler’s and Sip n’ Sail Cruises on Mackinac Island, as well as marine operations in Naples and elsewhere in the country.
“All employees are staying on,” she said. “We’re looking forward to ensuring a first-class and efficient ride to and from the island. All pricing is under a licensing agreement. All the pricing will stay the same.”
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News
Mercato this month will begin a reboot that we first told you about two years ago at the Naples destination near Vanderbilt Beach Road and U.S. 41.
Most anyone will tell you it can get a bit uncomfortable in the 450,000-square-foot shopping and restaurant district when cars converge with pedestrians or bicyclists, and its new owners a couple of summers ago promised us a reposition as part of “elevating Mercato (to) a people-oriented entertainment hub.”
Well, here’s what to know about what the honchos have tabbed as a more “walkable, experiential oasis (in) strengthening Mercato’s relevance and relationship with the community.”
What is Mercato in Naples, Florida missing? How will it be addressed?
“While Mercato does have a few small social gathering spots, it’s missing a central space that can host large-scale events and encourage guests to stay a while,” said Nick Lombardo, vice president of development at North American Properties, also known as NAP. “We’re looking forward to redefining the Piazza and creating a lively experience for our guests.”
The “reinvention” plans call for tripling the size of the 3,000-square-foot Piazza adjacent to Bravo Italian Kitchen and Narrative Coffee Roasters, and “creating a more connected, pedestrian-friendly environment” throughout the center, Lombardo said.
Get all the details, read the full story on naplesnews.com.
Find a home convenient to great restaurants and entertainment in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
