Construction is underway on a new 18-hole championship golf course and practice facilities at Esplanade at Rivergrass, a new residential golf course community taking shape in Naples, Florida. The course is being designed as the central recreational element of the community, with the land and the golf experience driving the planning process from the outset.
Designed by Christopher Wilczynski, ASGCA, the course sits on former agricultural land that offered a rare open canvas. More than three million cubic yards of soil will be reshaped to establish movement, definition, and strategy, allowing the course to be built intentionally from the ground up.
“The vision was to create a unique and natural ‘rivergrass feel’ with an abundance of beautiful water features and a variety of landscape materials that together support and tie seamlessly into the design theme and overall course aesthetic,” Wilczynski says. “From a design perspective, the goal was to carefully balance the relationship between golf and water, with some holes that sit on the water and others designed adjacent to it.”
Playability and strategy guided the design throughout. A five-tee system will offer yardages ranging from approximately 3,500 to 6,700 yards, ensuring an enjoyable experience for newer golfers while still presenting a meaningful challenge for accomplished players.
“Each hole is designed at strategic angles to create options and risk-reward decisions,” Wilczynski adds. “Golfers will be able to choose how aggressive they want to play from tee to green, which keeps the course fun, interesting, and engaging for all skill levels.”
The golf course master plan was completed and approved in 2022, followed by a nearly two-year permitting process. Final approvals were secured in fall 2025. Wilczynski will remain closely involved throughout construction, with regular site visits planned through 2026 to oversee shaping, detailing, and execution.
The course is scheduled to open in early 2027 and will serve as the defining recreational feature of Esplanade at Rivergrass, anchoring the community around a golf experience shaped by strategy, balance, and long-term playability.
