Site Cleared for Brand New Clubhouse at Wilderness Country Club

After years of planning and anticipation, the former clubhouse at Wilderness Country Club has been demolished to make way for a new and expanded clubhouse at the private country club community.

Designed by McWard Architects Inc. of Naples, the two-story, 26,000-square-foot building will showcase an Old Florida architectural style with panoramic views of the club’s championship golf course. It will replace the original clubhouse, which was completed shortly after Wilderness was founded in 1974.

Before it was razed, the old clubhouse was used by local firefighters and other first responders for the unique opportunity to train on an existing structure. The Greater Naples Fire Rescue District used the building for search-and-rescue training exercises over two weeks during the month of September.

The new Wilderness Country Club clubhouse will provide an expanded outdoor dining experience, a larger bar area and a new pro shop. There also will be a private Wilderness Room dedicated for small group gatherings like card playing, family parties, wine tastings and other club member events.

The interior of the new building will feature an island inspired classic design by renowned interior designer Amanda Lindroth. With offices in Palm Beach, Charleston and Nassau, Bahamas, Lindroth has provided design services for a number of high-end residential and country club projects worldwide.

The exterior of the building will feature lush landscaping by renowned landscape designer Fernando Wong, who has been called “one of the most influential landscape designers in America” by Elle Décor.

“We are very excited about the team we have built for this project. Our general contractor D. Garrett Construction plans to start vertical construction soon with the new clubhouse opening to our members by the end of 2023,” said Alan Raulerson, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer for Wilderness Country Club. “This keeps us on pace to celebrate the Club’s milestone 50th anniversary in 2024.”

Located on 200 forested acres, Wilderness Country Club is an established community featuring an 18-hole, Arthur Hills golf course and a full practice area where golfers of all skill levels can work on their game at the driving range, short-game area, and putting green. Each club member has the option to walk the course any time of day or take their own private golf cart, and there are never any trail fees.

Other amenities include a vibrant tennis and POP Tennis program and a complete schedule of seasonal activities. Five salt water and heated swimming pools are conveniently interspersed throughout the community, which promote social interactions of all residents as they are not segregated by building.

Residents also enjoy Frank Park, a private five-acre site dedicated to the pioneering Frank family. The park includes numerous specimen trees and shrubs from around the world as well as four Har-Tru bocce courts and a regulation-size croquet court where members can enjoy spirited competition. Also, within the property is a dedicated Dog Park area where members and their four-legged friends can mingle.

Wilderness Country Club. has been designated as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for over 20 years, making it the ideal place to photograph more than 80 species of birds, including Bald Eagles, Ospreys, White Ibis, Anhingas, Great Blue Herons, Red Shouldered Hawks, Barred Owls and Swallow Tail Kites. The lush surroundings provide an ideal location for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to use as a safe place to return rehabilitated animals, such as turtles, hawks and owls, to their native environment.

Located on the east side of Goodlette-Frank Road just north of Golden Gate Parkway, Wilderness Country Club holds the distinction of being the very first private, gated golf course community with a mandatory membership built in Naples. It is conveniently located just minutes from the restaurants, shops, arts and entertainment on Fifth Avenue South and white, sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.

For additional information or to view available properties for sale within this private, gated golf course community, call Wilderness Country Club at 239-261-6060 or visit online at www.wildernesscc.com.