Wilderness Country Club
Wilderness Country Club offers a private, scenic Arthur Hills-designed 18-hole golf course through forested terrain. Members enjoy four Har-Tru tennis courts, five heated saltwater swimming pools, and a full-service clubhouse. Additional facilities include bocce ball courts, a regulation croquet court, group fitness classes, and a dog park. The clubhouse hosts both formal and casual dining, social events, and vibrant themed activities throughout the year. Surrounded by native landscaping and wildlife, the club is certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
Wilderness is a gated, member-owned residential enclave of about 300 condominiums set around natural lakes and fairways. It was developed as Naples’s first gated community in 1974 and retains a close-knit, self-governed atmosphere. Condos range from two to three bedrooms, many renovated, with views of lush tropical surroundings and sweeping greens. This Bundled Golf Community includes club membership with property purchase and enjoys low-density, wildlife-rich surroundings. Located centrally in Naples, it provides convenient access to Old Naples, Fifth Avenue South, Waterside Shops, and nearby beaches.
Description of Wilderness Golf Course
Wilderness Country Club features a challenging, private 18-hole golf course designed primarily by Arthur Hills. The greens are surfaced with Tif Eagle grass and fairways with Paspalum grass. The championship Black tees extend approximately 6,505–6,506 yards, with a slope of 141 and rating of 72.9. The course par is 71 with well-groomed conditions throughout the year. Deep bunkers and mounded greens enhance play and visual appeal.
Water hazards appear on several holes, offering both challenge and scenic variety, though total water-holes count is unspecified. The scorecard yardage for other tees includes Blue at about 6,105 yards, slope 135, rating 70.9, and White at about 5,725 yards. Signature holes include “Sunrise,” requiring a precise tee shot into a two-tiered green. Other notable holes are “Great Egret,” “Heron’s Roost,” and “Hole In The Wall.” Each offers unique strategy and memorable play.
Wilderness Club Greens Fees and Membership Costs
Wilderness Country Club does not publicly list daily green or cart fees for non-members. Members may walk the course without trail fees. Guests riding in a member’s cart typically incur no additional cart rental fee. If a second cart is needed for multiple guests, a rental fee applies. Day-play options appear limited to members and their invited guests.
Golf membership requires a significant one-time initiation fee and annual dues. The initiation fee is about $65,000. Annual golf dues are approximately $24,000. Leasing, as a lessee member, ranges from $1,700 to $3,000 monthly based on anticipated rounds. These costs apply exclusively to members, not to-of-residence guests.
Wilderness Golfing Staff and Members
Wilderness Country Club golf staff includes Assistant Professionals Mathew A. Sawicki, Nicole M. Triano, Robert L. Harpster, and Sara Dickson. Leadership features a Director of Golf, Golf Superintendent, General Manager, Executive Chef, and Clubhouse Manager. Golf Pro Josh Hershoff supports member play and instruction. The Executive Chef ensures culinary excellence across dining venues. Staff roles underscore the club’s sophisticated and service-oriented structure.
The course resides in a uniquely preserved, Audubon-certified sanctuary, rich in native flora and wildlife. It was renovated in 2015 with John Sanford collaborating alongside original designer Arthur Hills. Approximately 22,000 rounds of golf are played annually, reflecting active member engagement. Condominiums surrounding the course foster a tight-knit, permanent-resident community. The average resident age is 74, with most retired and many living year-round.