You Can Do It! Learn to Play Like a Pro (or At Least Aspire to It)

Jan 27, 2022 01:30PM ● By ANN MARIE O’PHELAN

Southwest Florida is an athlete’s paradise. There is no lack of activities to be enjoyed year-round here. Consider three of the area’s most popular activities—swimming, tennis, and golf—all of which you can improve by taking lessons.

Since there is water nearly everywhere you look in the area, swimming is almost a required activity. “Lee County Parks and Recreation offers affordable swimming lessons for children and adults of all skill levels—at all of its community pools,” says aquatic supervisor Paul Rapp. Register at any of the community pools, which include Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Pine Island, San Carlos, and Tice, or online at leeparks.org.

Tennis attracts thousands of players to the multitude of both private and public courts in Southwest Florida. Lee County Community Tennis Association (LCCTA) provides public tennis programs in partnership with Lee County Parks & Recreation. Certified tennis professionals are on hand at five of the largest hardcourt facilities, all with lights for night play. These include Three Oaks Park, Rutenberg, and Wa-Ke Hatchee parks. “LCCTA offers clinics and private lessons that are affordable and accessible for adults and children,” says executive director Lyn Bruner.

Of course, Southwest Florida is often labeled “Golf Capital of the World,” and it tries to live up to that title. In addition to the countless country clubs dotting the area, the City of Fort Myers owns two professionally designed public 18-hole golf courses: Fort Myers Country Club and Eastwood Golf Course. Both offer lessons with certified PGA instructors.

Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and a regular contributor to TOTI Media.