Construction began in 1999 and by November 12, 2000, the first official rounds of golf were being played on the Gordon Lewis designed golf course.
The community was the fastest bundled community to be sold out by Bonita Bay and so turnover to the members took place in January, 2003.
In July of 2003, the new Board of Directors hired David Dore-Smith to maintain the golf course and common grounds consisting of over 140 acres. With the help of many members including Tom Bowles, Ed McCoy, Joe Rudolph, Mike Galla, Frank Keck and others, a plan was developed to improve the golf course for all to enjoy.
One of the memorable comments from our first meetings was that "Copperleaf consisted of 18 greens and one fairway". The golf course lacked character and in particular color for all members to enjoy their round.
A golf course improvement fund was approved in 2004 and the Golf Course Maintenance crew set about planting over 500 Hardwood trees and Palms; 50,000 Native grasses and thousands of native shrubs and plants. Holes were framed by creatively eliminating 'out-of-play' areas and adding year round colors from a variety of native flora. In fact, over the next 3 years, 30 acres of maintained turf was eliminated throughout the community. This not only improved the aesthetic value but also had an immediate affect on reducing water, chemical and fertilizer use.
During this time, Copperleaf obtained Audubon Co-Operative Sanctuary status for the golf course by demonstrating education of the membership through one of the many guided wildlife tours; showing a reduction in water, chemical and fertilizer use; providing a habitat for native animals to exist; reducing maintained turf and improving water quality throughout the community with the use of aquatic plants. The certification is renewed every two years and the plaque is proudly displayed in the Copperleaf clubhouse. The guided wildlife tours continue each year in March and April and are conducted by local Ornithologist, Brian Beckner.
In 2015, the course underwent a complete renovation. Golf Course Architect, Kipp Schulties, was engaged to provide improvements to the overall playability of the course by reconstructing all greens complexes, bunkers and modifying tee complexes. The golf course was re-grassed with Celebration Bermudagrass which provides a dark rich green color and quick recovery time. Greens were re-grassed with TifEagle Bermudagrass and provide a high quality putting surface year round. The course opened on time and to rave reviews by all members.
The Copperleaf Green and Grounds Committee meet monthly and take regular tours of the golf course to witness first hand the many projects being considered and the maintenance practices being implemented by the Golf Course Maintenance staff. Monthly reports are presented to the Board of Directors and a copy of the report emailed to both the Mens and Ladies Golf Associations as well as being available on the Copperleaf website; www.copperleafgc.com. There is an incredible amount happening on a daily basis through the Maintenance Department. It is the intention of this website to provide timely updates to the membership so that all members can be informed about what is happening at their Club.
In 2021, Dore-Smith was hired as General Manager of Copperleaf after 18 years as Golf Course Superintendent. Parker Ferren was hired in August of 2021 to become the next Golf Course Superintendent at Copperleaf.
Copperleaf Members are encouraged to attend the various Board of Director and Green Committee meetings to hear what is happening on the golf course and to express their opinions on ways to maintain and improve Copperleaf's number one asset.
Ferren can be contacted in his office located at the maintenance facility between holes 3 and 4; his office number is 239-390-3491 and email address is parkerf@copperleafgc.com. Please feel free to contact Parker at any time.
