BOBCAT TRAIL GOLF CLUB ( 941-429-0500)
Florida Golf Course Review 10/17/05 photos updated March, 2008
Bobcat Trail Golf Club in North Port is a Bob Tway/Lee Singletary design that is conveniently located of I-75 just
north of Port Charlotte. This 18-hole championship facility has deservedly been rated with 4 1/2 stars by Golf
Digest Places to Play, and is one of Southwest Florida's top courses that are open for public play. Florida Golf
Magazine has rated Bobcat Trail as one of the top 20 courses overall in the region, and Golf Digest goes one step further in honoring the course as one of the "Top 30 public courses in Florida".
The property features and excellent practice facility, including a targeted aqua range, large putting green and
wonderful short game area with sand bunker. The short game area is featured in a photo above....our
recommendation is to spend some time there before a round, as the greenside bunkers here can be penal in
nature with high lips demanding good sand technique. The clubhouse includes an upscale pro shop plus
restaurant/lounge that serves beverages and lunch items. Banquet/outing capacities in the cafe and outdoor patio can accommodate up to 125 people.
Golfers will encounter beautifully landscaped tees, fairways and greens, with most holes providing significant
landing areas nestled between tropical vegetation, lakes, and abundant sand bunkers. This is one of the best
manicured and visually appealing courses we encountered on our travels to this section of the state. A key to
scoring well is in course management - in placing shots strategically in the doglegs and in making good decisions on holes which present risk/reward opportunities.
Water comes into play in some shape or form on all but two holes. Most are located along the perimeters, but
there are some situated perilously close to landing zones or greenside. The photos above feature two of the
most challenging green complexes on the course - both with rock retaining walls fronting undulating putting
surfaces. The medium size greens roll quick and true, with bunkers and mounding often providing protection
behind and on either side. Some are raised and feature ridges or tiers - making pin placement information a necessity.
Five sets of tees play to distances and slopes measuring 6748 yards/140 slope, 6243 yards/130 slope, 5765
yards/ 125 slope, 5271 yards/118 slope for men and 123 for women, and 4800 yards with a slope of 112 for ladies playing from the forward sets.
150 yard stakes are visible on the fairways and yardage blocks every 25 yards from 200 - 75 (250 on par fives)
are posted on all par fours and fives. Cart paths also provide color coded markings. Pin placement sheets
mounted on the carts provide info on front, middle and back hole locations. We highly recommend a round at
Bobcat Trail - it is truly a top notch, first class golf experience. For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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