SW Florida Living

The Bonita Bay Golf Club in Bonita Springs is updating and improving itself once again. Recently the club spent $11.5 million on the golf course and the clubhouse, changing out the pro-shop for a new 4,700 SF open air bar and casual grill. Now, with nearly 2,000 social, sports, and golf members, the association purchased (for $4.25 Million) the 60,000 SF Bonita Bay Medical Centre, located just to the back of the Creekside's golf course and next to The Promenade. The three story building will give the club plenty of room for expanding its services to its members.

Plans for the space, which will be called the Bonita Bay Lifestyle Center, include a new 18,000 SF fitness center with spa and a new high-tech golf training studio. The lifestyle center will…

The Florida Open golf tournament has not been held in SW Florida since the Florida State Golf Association took over the Florida Open in 2010. That will change this weekend as the Bonita Bay golf club will host the annual event at its Bay Island Course at Bonita Bay in Bonita Springs, and the Cypress Course at Bonita Bay East in North Naples.

The Florida Open dates back to 1942 and has been won over the years by such notables as Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant.

The three-day, 54-hole tournament will host 156 players and have a cut to the low 60's plus ties after Saturday's second round. The final round will be played on the Cypress Course on Sunday. Locals teeing it up on Friday include: Charles…

In SW Florida? For how much? Did you say $650K? Really now - that's amusing. I basically busted out laughing at this request - couldn't help myself. Was probably not the best thing to do on the phone with a potential client. However, after almost 16 years of hearing every type of request under the sun, I just could not hold the laugh in any longer. I guess with the fact that so many have missed their buying opportunity with the housing downturn (4 years too late now) and others from up north thinking they can try and duplicate what they have up there here in Florida, I'm due one minor faux pas. And quite frankly, I'm too busy to try and chase something I know for certain does not exist - we don't have Tudor style homes here unless you spend three to…

Fort Myers Beach hosts the 27th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship next week. Beginning November 22nd through December 1st, hundreds from around the World will gather at the Holiday Inn on the southern end of the Beach to concoct whimsical, ornate, and just fun designs in this long honored competition.

This year’s theme is “Go Big or Go Home for the Holidays" will feature solo, duos, and singles and doubles divisions – competing for the top performance arts awards. Ten and twenty-two tons of sand will be used by singles and doubles to create the sand sculptures – promising to be HUGE this year!

Next week’s event is a combination of both the Florida State and American Championship and there will be daily sculpting with both teams and…

Miromar Outlet Mall in Estero, Florida is celebrating its 15th year anniversary this month! Some of the best shopping in all of Southwest Florida is located here with a wide selection of stores in the outdoor mall that is graced by dramatic Tuscan fountains, potted flowers, dramatic wrought iron work, and atrium gardens everywhere you look - this is a beautiful location to shop.  Click here for a list of the stores that include Tommy Hilfinger, Saks, Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, and Calvin Klein to name just a few!

Featuring more than 140 stores and restaurants, the Mall is a favorite of both residents and visitors alike to our area. Developer Margaret Antonier, who owns retail and commercial in Canada came to our area and developed not only the Mall,…

The Champions Tour announces its 1,000th winner last month and added three new events to their schedule.

However, the most exciting news for all of us here in Southwest Florida, was that ACE renewed their sponsorship of the Champions Tour event at TwinEagles again through 2017. The tour has been present in Naples since 2011 and their contract was coming up for renewal.

Last season Bernard Langer was the winner in February of 2013 capturing his second ACE Group Classic title - the first golfer to do so since 1999 for The Champions Tour. This year's tournament will also occur in February and will be played on the Talon Course again at TwinEagles.

The Waldorf Astoria in North Naples has a new owner! An affliate of Northwood Investors paid about $200M for the hotel on the beach with 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space, three outdoor pools, private beach area, tennis, fitness, and spa. The hotel currently has 474 rooms which the new owners plan to renovate, along with their corridors. Featuring six restaurants and bars and is a very popular destination for Naples' visitors, and business clientele, with its central location.

Northwood Investors have offices in New York, Los Angeles, and London and is a privately held real estate investment firm. The sellers were an affilliate of Blackstone Group who bought the Hilton Hotels, including all the Waldorf Astoria chain, in 2007 for $26…

Tropical Storm Karen formed in the Yucatan Channel  this morning and now has a defined area of circulation. Winds are measured between 50-60 MPH and must reach 74+ to be a named hurricane. The potential of Karen to bring unstable weather to our area of the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast does exist! It's time to be sure your hurricane preparation is in effect and ready to go.

Karen is not expected to be a strong and long lasting storm as it approaches the US, but it's Mother Nature and always better to be prepared rather than not.

It's expected that a strong wind shear is expected to hold over the Northern Gulf of Mexico and should weaken Karen. Tropical storm watches are in effect for New Orleans and Lake Ponchartrain. Hurricane watches are in effect…

Hertz will begin hiring about 100 workers in October and December of 2013 for the first phase of the opening of their World Headquarters relocation to Estero. The Fortune 300 company expects several thousand job seekers to show up from a diverse level of experience and professions.

The second largest rental car company, announced the move from Park Ridge, NJ to Estero in May, and expects to generate 700 jobs over the next few years. Hertz temporarily has taken up headquarters in North Naples at the Fifth Third Center, the largest office building in Collier County. Hertz is looking to hire managers, team performance leaders, and sales specialists. If you can’t attend the job fair, then you can apply online at www.hertz.jobs.

Stan's Idle Hour, a Southwest Florida favorite in Goodland re-opens September 28th and 29th. Long time owner, Stan Gober passed away last year, but his family and friends decided to keep the tradition alive. You can arrive by either car or boat - be ready for a BIG crowd whenever you go. It's been quite a while since Stan's was open and it's been sorely missed. Be prepared to do the "Buzzard Lope" when you get there - plenty of cold beer might help with the steps!

For more information, visit the website for Stan's - in November the family will post a new schedule of operations and more information...