$20 million golf club renovation in Lee County almost finished

A big part of a $20 million renovation of the Copperleaf Golf Club in Estero is nearly complete.

The private golf community is replacing its 23-year-old clubhouse with a 28,000-square-foot dining and entertainment venue, along with a “vastly remodeled outdoor dining facility surrounding its swimming pool,” according to a statement. 

The revitalized clubhouse will offer a reconfiguration of the Main Dining Room with vaulted ceilings that tower to 25 feet at their peak, plus larger and more functional kitchens, along with expanded menu and bar offerings, say club officials. “Unique to other clubhouses in the area, the spaces in the clubhouse can be adjusted with operable partitioning features to suit all types and sizes of events,” the release states. 

"In recent surveys, over 80% of our members indicated a desire for additional covered and protected outdoor seating areas," General Manager of Copperleaf at The Brooks David Dore-Smith says in the release. "We expect that Ospreys, our new poolside cafe — featuring a 22-seat oval-shaped bar with multiple TVs overlooking the golf course and lakes — will become the star of the renovation and a favorite dining venue when it opens in March, followed by the entire clubhouse in August." 

Copperleaf created an "Experience the Future" strategic plan for the construction project in 2019. The design was completed in November 2022 and work began in June 2023. Knapp Construction Management was the project manager. 

Built by Bonita Bay Group and Pulte Homes in 2000, Copperleaf Golf Club is a gated 460-acre master-planned development featuring 570 single-family and carriage homes. Neighborhoods overlook emerald fairways, picturesque greens and vibrant lakes. The 18-hole golf course was designed by Gordon Lewis and redesigned in 2015 by course architect Kipp Schulties.