LPGA's CME Group Tour Championship kicks off in Naples

Naples once again hosts the LPGA's season ending event, the CME Group Tour Championship, at Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz Carlton Resort.  The winner of the tournament receives $500,000 and the winner of the Race to the Globe gets a cool $1,000,000.  The three top golfers, Stacey Lewis, Inbee Park, and Lydia Ko would get that million if they win the event.

Last night at dinner the ladies enjoyed entertainment by Colin Powell and Jay Leno.

Park has upped her game lately finishing fourth, first, and third in her last 3 tournaments with the last 8 being top 5's.  Lewis has not played particularly well since her win in June with only 2 top 10's since then.  Ko, at only 17 years old, has won $1.6 million this year with 14 top 10's, in addition to Rookie of the Year honors.

The top 70 players were welcomed with cool and windy weather, part of the cold front that has hit the country.  But today is in the high 70's with 80's forecast for the weekend.

Tiburon Golf Club will host Greg Norman's Shootout in December so much of the infrastructure will remain in place from this week's tournament.

Naples named one of the top 10 golf destinations by USA Today

Naples has been named one of the top 10 golf destinations in the world by USA Today.  With Myrtle Beach taking top honors, Naples is 5th, ahead of Scottsdale, Scotland, and Pebble Beach, among others.  The article stated "...balmy Naples, Florida - where golf is an option 12 months a year - snared 5th."

The full list of winners in the 'Best Golf Destination' contest category for 10 Best Readers Choice' is as follows:

1. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
2. Kiawah Island, S.C.
3. Pinehurst, N.C.
4. Sea Island, Ga.
5. Naples, Fla.
6. Bandon, Ore.
7. Maui, Hawaii
8. Pebble Beach, Calif.
9. Scotland
10. Scottsdale, Ariz.

Naples News Completes Southwest Florida's "Dream 18" Golf Holes

After months of input by a star studded group of local and national experts, including tour pros, local pros and teachers, and architects, the "Dream 18" has been completely released by the Naples Daily News.

Here are NDN's top 18 golf holes in Southwest Florida.

1.  No. 1, TwinEagles Club, Hole No. 18 Talon

2.  No. 2, Calusa Pines Golf Club, Hole No. 16

3.  No. 3, Talis Park Golf Club, Hole No. 10

4.  No. 4, The Club Pelican Bay, Hole No. 9 Club

5.  No. 5, Hideout Golf Club, Hole No. 4

6.  No. 6, Bay Colony Golf Club, Hole No. 18

7.  No. 7, West Bay Club, Hole No. 16

8.  No. 8, Country Club of Naples, Hole No. 15

9.  No. 9, Imperial Country Club, Hole No. 9 East

10.  No. 10, The Old Collier Golf Club, Hole No. 18

11.  No. 11, Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club, Hole No. 18

12.  No. 12, Quail West Golf & Country Club, Hole No. 2 Preserve Course

13.  No. 13, Calusa Pines Golf Club, Hole No. 3

14.  No. 14, The Hideout Golf Club, Hole No. 11

15.  No. 15, The Old Collier Golf Club, No. 2

16.  No. 16, Naples National Golf Club, No. 14

17.  No. 17, Bear's Paw Country Club, No. 9

18.  No. 18, Imperial Country Club, No. 18 East Course