History
Edward Callahan and Blaine Eynon invite five colleagues to join them at The Naples Beach Club to discuss their ideas on building a golf club. All participants agreed that it was an outstanding idea and within weeks the decision was made to lease for 7 years, with the option to purchase after the 7th year, the average owned by Mr. Callahan at a land value of $1,500 per acre. Another option of purchasing an additional 80 acres east of the original plot would allow them to consider a total of thirty-six holes of golf- two distinct eighteen-hole courses- if Membership sales went well.
By December, only 10 months after their first meeting, Royal Poinciana Golf Club had 401 Members eager for opening day.
The Founders of Royal Poinciana are: William Allyn, Douglas Bathey, Paul Beich, Edward Callaham, Wesley Downing, Blaine Eynon, Larry Martin, Durward Packard, Dr. David Palmer, Clint Schattgen, Ed Warner, Henry Watkins Sr.
On November 26th, newly appointed board president, David Palmer, welcomed members of the Naples Star Press to a champagne breakfast at the Club's Halfway House to confirm that the North Course would be open for play on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, 1969. The Dining room was completed in December and had a seating capacity of 400.
The first of two golf courses officially opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1969, with the first tennis play on the courts happening during the same month.
President Palmer and social chairman Robert Moates and his committee set January 14th, 1970 for the Inaugural Champagne Gala. The response was so great, they added an additional evening on January 15th to accommodate all of the members. President Palmer officiated both evenings and welcomes special guests Florida Governor Claude Kirk, Jr., baseball celebrity Stan "The Man" Musial, and professional golfer Gene Sarazan and his wife. Four hundred elegantly dressed ladies and tuxedoed gentlemen danced to the music of Miami's George Kristi and his orchestra each evening. The red ribbon was cut by President Palmer and Governor Kirk, and our Club was officially open to a full membership.
Spring 1970: The back nine of the South Course, then called Tangerine, and then the front nine, named Tangelo, were finally ready for play. March 24, 1970. The Ladies 18-Hole Ladies' Golf Association was organized. May of 1970, a heated swimming pool , which included a diving board opened to the membership.
Both golf courses are renamed. The South Course became the Cypress and the North Course is called Pines. RP's first reciprocal club arrangement is with the Naples Yacht Club.
Under the supervision of the Greens Superintendent Clint Smallridge, RP completed the planting of 4,000 trees (80 percent from seedlings planted earlier) on the property. According to the Division of Forestry, the Club then had a total of 65,000 trees, with an average of 825 trees per acre, or one tree every 52.8 square feet. To ensure the beauty of RP for the next generations, the Tree Planting and Replacement Program was implemented in 1979. In addition, the Fishing Committee was established to protect RP's lakes.
The club's first duplicate bridge game was held at the club, and by the end of March, the game was accredited by the American Contract Bridge League.
Driven by their dedication to remain the leading club in Naples, RP's Board of Directors adopted the "Commitment to Excellence" program in 1993, and this philosophy continues to be the backbone and beating heart of our club today.
In 2019, Royal Poinciana proudly celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a memorable Gala Event. This milestone honored the Club's rich history since its founding in 1969, paying tribute to the traditions, vision, and dedication that have shaped its journey. The celebration reflected not only on the past but also embraced a bright and promising future, reaffirming the belief that excellence is not merely a goal, but the standard by which the Club shall always be measured. With continued growth and a clear vision, Royal Poinciana and its Members remain united in the enduring spirit that has defined the Club for over half a century.
Royal Poinciana Golf Club was given the coveted Platinum Club designation. This award is sponsored by the Club Leaders Forum and is voted on every three years by private Club Managers and Club Presidents. The distinction is awarded to the top 200 clubs among the 6,000 clubs in the country. It represents excellence of services to membership, quality of club facilities, heritage, and an enlightened leadership from management and the Board of Directors.
Members vote to renovate the Pines Course by Fazio Design Group. Project to begin Spring of 2025.
On April 8th, the membership held a Special Town Hall Meeting for a Facility Master Plan. The proposal was approved by the membership for the design, construction, and furnishing of a new clubhouse with Architect Peacock + Lewis.