The Club at Ibis

Florida is a much sought-after destination for retirees or those sick and tired of the winter weather. Having recently turned 64, I now fit into both of those categories.

And it makes sense. Having grown up in the "snow belt" in London, Ontario, I had seen more snow in 17 years than most will see in a lifetime. Florida offered an opportunity to see sunshine all year round, although sometimes the summer heat can be downright oppressive. And as an avid golfer, it allowed me to play golf twelve months a year.

What's interesting about migration into the state is that there are two steady streams of newcomers. Midwesterners - from Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio drive down I-75 and usually settle on the west side of the state - Sarasota, Tampa, and Fort Myers. Northeasterners flock southward on I-95 and head to the east side - Boca Raton, West Palm, and Miami.

Those who sell their home up north and head to the West Palm Beach area should consider the Club at Ibis as a final destination. It's a community that has it all, especially for those who like to stay active. Behind the security gates are 33 neighborhoods with over 1850 homes and just about every recreational amenity you can think of. Their tennis program is as good as any in the area, with 15 Har-Tru tennis courts that are fast-drying and were specifically designed for senior players with comfort and playability in mind. The Club also features four new pickleball courts so that you can indulge in the world's fastest-growing sport.

Then there's the 15,000-square-foot Fitness Center with the latest cardio and strength-training equipment, interactive televisions, a Yoga Wall, and personal trainers at your disposal. The Aquatic Center boasts a resort-style swimming pool with a cascading waterfall, a 25-yard lap pool, a hot tub, and a splash zone for the kids.

But the centerpiece of the community is the three Nicklaus golf courses: The Legend Course, designed by the Golden Bear himself, the Heritage Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus II, and the Tradition Course, designed by Steve Nicklaus.

The Legend Course opened in 1991. In 2017, the course underwent a major renovation and is described by Jack himself as a "masterpiece." Golfweek Magazine named the Legend Course one of the country's "Most Distinctive Courses." The signature hole is the par-3, 13th, with an elevated island green fronted by a beautiful stone bulkhead. The hole can be played anywhere from 81 - 167 yards and is a stern test of distance control and accuracy. Compared to other Nicklaus courses I've played, The Legend is rather tame, with no crazy roller coaster greens or extra-long forced carries. It's a course that is player-friendly yet tests your mettle.

The Club at Ibis offers what I think is the best practice facility in the area. It was completely redesigned a few years ago and required over 20,000 cubic yards of material to raise the range and significantly improve drainage. The new range is almost 15 acres in size with an "X-shaped" fairway pattern between the target greens to allow players to practice a variety of shots. Every shot will react the same way it does on the golf course, allowing members to hit shots they think they will encounter during their rounds. The renovation also included a new 10,000-square-foot putting green and five new short game greens spread between two different practice locations. The range is symmetrical, which allows golfers to spread out and enjoy the same experience from either end. The north end is used more for short warm-ups before a round, while the south is used more on longer practice sessions and features the all-new Toptracer technology across the entire tee area.

Installing the new Toptracer technology was a big deal and served a couple of purposes. First, it's a great practice tool and allows players to track their shots with all major swing data, including swing speed, ball speed, and curvature. It's also a great place to play with the kids or let the competitive juices flow as they participate in various games with other members.

During your trip to the range, you're likely to see what looks like little Roomba vacuum cleaners. They are actually Echo robots and are used to gather range balls and keep the turf well-manicured at the same time. It turned out to be an effective way to reduce labor costs and keep the range looking its absolute best.

When it comes to dining, The Club at Ibis offers Members and their guests several options, from casual to elegant. The Pub offers comfortable seating and is a Member favorite. With walls full of big-screen TVs, it's a great place to watch your favorite sporting events while dining from the Pub menu.

Another dining venue, Panache, offers Members and their guests a fine dining experience with à la carte cuisine. The glass-top bar in Panache's relaxing lounge is the perfect place to enjoy your favorite cocktail or glass of wine. As a bonus, Panache offers diners a rare opportunity to dine inside the kitchen with a tableside dinner show and wine tastings for your group as Executive Chef Jerome and his culinary team create a memorable dining experience. All this without leaving the community!

The Club at Ibis is a mandatory membership community, meaning that you have to live inside the gates to be able to enjoy everything the club has to offer. To see what's available on the real estate side or to arrange a visit to the property, visit www.clubatibis.com.