Shell Point Golf Club
Fort Myers, Florida

Stand Out From the Crowd
In southwest Florida -- where there are more golf holes per capita than anywhere else in the world -- it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. The profusion of country clubs, gated communities, and seaside resorts seem to grow exponentially each year. How can golfers differentiate between one palm-tree-lined course and another?

Shell Point Golf Club in Fort Myers sets itself apart in many ways. To begin with, the course is integrated into a 400-acre retirement community, which operates residential and healthcare facilities for seniors 60 and older. While most such communities tend to advertise an executive course (or sometimes just a putting green), Shell Point determined that its population would benefit from a full 18-hole championship course.

"There are more than 2,000 residents who live at Shell Point," said Michael Mongoven, Shell Point's director of golf. "Many of them came from up north, where they played golf their whole lives. For them to have a championship course in their own backyard is an incredible amenity. It's like living at a resort."

The ties that bind the golf community and the retirement community are strong. The staff organizes special leagues, tournaments, lessons, and events for Shell Point's residents. Each hole has five tee lengths, so golfers of every skill and strength level can enjoy the course -- indeed, the ladies' league recently claimed a 90-year-old champion. Shell Point partnered with Uplink Golf to install their first cart-based Global Positioning System in the state of Florida; this locator system also allows quick notification of staff in case of emergency.

Best Environment for Golfers and Nature
Yet Shell Point Golf Club remains a public course, drawing thousands of golfers from the general public each year. The tropical location near Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island attracts snowbirds and tourists to turn to Shell Point for their vacation golf experience. "We pride ourselves on providing such a quality golf experience that first-time visitors will want to come back," said Mongoven, "and our regular customers will enjoy the course anew each time."

Surrounded by wetlands, Shell Point has taken extraordinary steps to ensure that the course does not disturb the environmentally sensitive land it inhabits. Before construction began, all non-native vegetation was eradicated, and historic water flow channels were restored. The design of the back nine was altered to include more than 10 acres of buffer preserve for a pair of nesting bald eagles. Shell Point also conserves resources by using reclaimed water to irrigate the course. Audubon International recently certified Shell Point Golf Club as part of its sanctuary system.

A Higher Purpose
What truly sets Shell Point apart is its original mission. Shell Point is a non-profit ministry, founded in 1968 by The Christian and Missionary Alliance to glorify God and care for his people. That foundation permeates into the day-to-day management of the course. For example, the pro shop has no liquor license. "It would have been an easy money maker to sell alcohol," said Mongoven, "but there are also downsides in the atmosphere it creates for our guests. Because of Shell Point's reputation, and the positive environment we wish to foster, we made a conscious decision just to focus on golf."

Perhaps the story of Jack, a Shell Point resident, best exemplifies how the environment at Shell Point is unlike any other. Jack had played golf throughout his life -- he became a member of the Shell Point Golf Club the first year it opened. After becoming a patient of Shell Point's hospice program, his longing for the sweet swing of the club continued. "Whenever he talked about golf, he always brightened up," recalled his wife, Kathy.

Though physically unable to leave his wheelchair, Jack asked hospice personnel if he could somehow play the links once more. Several Shell Point departments worked together to help fulfill this last request.

"We were able to physically get him onto the driving range," said Bill Malmborg, who was working the desk at the Shell Point Golf Club that day. "I was happy to get him some clubs and some balls, and let him at it."

"The people at the Shell Point Golf Club couldn't have been more kind and more gracious," said Kathy. "Jack would sit after each swing, and I'd ask him, 'Jack, are you tired?' And he would grin and say, 'No! One more!' It was really inspirational."

"I've played golf for 65 years," said Bill, "so I know how important it can be to a guy. That's why it's so great that Shell Point built this course. People like Jack, who have played golf their whole life, can live here and enjoy the same things in their later years."

For the people of Shell Point Golf Club, the mission goes beyond allowing people to enjoy the game. It allows the game to benefit the people.