Birth of Audubon Sanctuary Golf
Collier’s Reserve made golf history in 1994 by officially becoming the world’s first Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary, setting the tone for eco-friendly golf long before it was trendy.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Collier's Reserve Country Club
Naples, Florida
Established
1993
Architect
Arthur Hills
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
4,378 – 6,785 yds
The verdict
A Private Oasis With Audubon Roots
Collier’s Reserve is a polished Arthur Hills design that balances strategic shotmaking with preserved riverfront scenery. The course shines with its Audubon Signature Sanctuary status, rewarding smart play over brute strength in a peaceful, exclusive setting.
Course DNA
Difficulty
74
Scenery83
Conditioning86
Shot Variety77
Walkability65
Green Complexity72
Wow Factor71
Design Quality76
Don't miss
Don’t skip the river patio after your round—sunset views and an abundance of native wildlife make it a secret favorite among members.
At a glance
Quick facts
Architect
Arthur Hills
Audubon Signature
World’s first Certified Audubon Signature Sanctuary (1994)
Riverfront Holes
Course winds beside Cocohatchee River
Course Restoration
Completely restored in 2022
Course Style
Florida parkland with natural wetlands
Wildlife Spotting
Birds, turtles, and native flora thrive
Practice Facility
Fully renovated with teaching center
The design
The architecture
Arthur Hills' routing at Collier’s Reserve blends classic Florida parkland elements with a strong emphasis on environmental integration and shot value. The fairways trace natural wetlands and the Cocohatchee River, with strategy shaped by water hazards, subtle bunkering, and thoughtful green placements. The site’s flat contours are enlivened by forced carries, angle-based approach demands, and plenty of mid-length par 4s. Following a major restoration in 2022, every green, tee, bunker, and water feature was refined for playability and sustainability, while keeping the natural character and Audubon priorities at the course’s core.
Hills’ legacy is evident in the course’s environmental reserves and the way each hole rewards thoughtful play over brawn, reinforcing the Audubon identity over raw length.
Defining features
- Multiple water crossings and wetlands shaping drives and approaches
- Subtle but penal bunkering characteristic of Arthur Hills
- Risk/reward reachable par 5s balanced by tough long par 4s
- Blended native landscapes and palm groves bordering fairways
- Walking routes mostly flat but often interrupted by wetland transitions
- Recent restoration with all new greens and tees, improved drainage
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
Windward Short Iron Test
PAR
3
YARDAGE
173
A quintessential Florida par 3 demanding a precise strike over native grasses to a well-defended green. Wind can swirl from the river, amplifying the challenge beyond the distance.
Play it smart
Favor the center of the green and allow for crosswinds, as the flanking hazards make chasing tight flags a risky proposition.
Where it bites
A miss long or to the wrong side can tumble into marshy trouble—precision beats bravado.
Course management
Shots to think about
Facing the long approach on 6
Take enough club and favor the fat part of the green—any miss left will mean a dreaded penalty or brutal recovery.
Par 5 second shot decision
On both 1 and 13, trust your yardage—only go for it if your layup leaves a truly comfortable number, not just your ego.
Wind picks up on par 3s
Don’t chase the flag; stick to a center-green target and let par be your friend.
Risk-reward tee boxes on 14
This tempting short par 4 lures big hitters, but lay back for a better angle and catch the reward with wedge control.
Final hole pressure
Play within yourself—river and gallery combine for drama, so trust your game plan off the tee and on the layup.
Approaches from soggy lies after rain
Pick your cleanest stance and remember new drainage helps—but use extra spin and less rollout than usual.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Consistently firm, lush private-club turf—recently regrassed and rebuilt greens, with minimal wear due to membership-only play.
Pace
Relaxed and brisk by Naples standards; member tee times mean little waiting except during busy holiday events.
Vibe
Low-key, affluent, neighborly—no resort bustle, just tranquil focus on golf and natural surroundings.
Dress code
Traditional country club standards: collared shirts, tailored shorts or slacks, golf shoes—no denim or cargo-wear.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Control your spin
With new greens and well-protected approaches, practice landing your ball softly and favoring safe angles—especially on windier days.
02
Bring straight, not long
Brute force takes a back seat to accuracy—tee balls setting up center-green thinking will earn more points than heroic carries.
03
Pack for sudden weather
Florida afternoons can change fast; have a rain layer and spare glove ready, especially in the wet season.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1993
Course opens as Collier’s Reserve Country Club, designed by Arthur Hills
- 1994
Earns status as world’s first Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary
- 2017
Celebrated over two decades of environmental stewardship and strong member engagement
- 2022
Complete restoration: new greens, tees, bunkers, and practice area
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Family Land with Heritage
Before the club’s founding, the property was a Collier family parcel with ties to early Southwest Florida history, the Calusa people, and even the famed Orange Blossom Express railroad.
Nature at Every Turn
Golfers don’t just see wetlands and palm groves—they regularly spot turtles, abundant birdlife, and riverside flora, making the on-course walk feel like a day at a private preserve.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
First golf course in the world to achieve Audubon International Signature Sanctuary recognition.
2
Collier family heritage traces back to the Orange Blossom Express and early Florida pioneers.
3
Major restoration in 2022 included complete regrassing and new green complexes throughout.
4
Over 30 species of birds have been spotted from the course and clubhouse.
5
Lush privacy—many holes feel as if you have the river and marsh entirely to yourself.
Build the trip
If you're planning a Naples-area golf swing
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Tiburón Golf Club
Public
A premier public/resort venue and stage for pro events—playable, polished, and memorable.
Old Corkscrew Golf Club
Public
Challenging Nicklaus design, pure championship test for visiting golfers seeking top-tier public golf.
Stoneybrook Golf Club
Public
Affordable, accessible, and welcoming to the casual visitor or family four-ball.
Grandezza Golf & Country Club
Private
A well-regarded local private club—consider if you have a host or reciprocal access.
Club at Mediterra
Private
Elite area private golf, available if you have connections—a barometer for Naples high-end member experience.
North Naples, Vanderbilt Beach, or Mercato district for easy access to Collier’s Reserve and top Naples/Estero courses.
Course DNA
If You Like Collier's Reserve Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Thornapple Pointe Golf Club
Grand Rapids, MichiganConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Thornapple Pointe Golf Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Collier's Reserve Country Club.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Colleton River Club (Nicklaus Course)
Bluffton, South CarolinaConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Colleton River Club (Nicklaus Course) offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Collier's Reserve Country Club.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Reynolds Lake Oconee – the Preserve
Eatonton, GeorgiaConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Reynolds Lake Oconee – the Preserve offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Collier's Reserve Country Club.
The architect's other work
More from Arthur Hills
Inverness Club
Toledo, OhioThe ultimate Midwest championship shotmaker’s test
Barton Hills Country Club
Ann Arbor, MichiganA timeless Donald Ross parkland test revisited
Shadow Wood Country Club
Bonita Springs, FloridaMember-focused, architectural golf set in natural Florida beauty.
Persimmon Ridge Golf Club
Louisville, KentuckyArthur Hills’ championship Kentucky test
Edgewood Country Club
River Vale, New JerseyClassic parkland test with risk-reward drama late
Manor Country Club
Rockville, MarylandFlynn pedigree, classic test, pure private club turf
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?