Members at Fort Myers Country Club are pushing back against a Verizon tower planned for construction near the grounds' maintenance area. They feel the structure could interfere with pro tournaments and damage the WWI-era feel of this historic course.
"Where they put it, is more of a concern to when we run professional tournaments," Kari Phoenix, Fort Myers Country Club golf director, told Gulf Coast News. "You don't want a power plant in your backyard either."
At their Feb. 24, 2025 meeting, city council members looked over the proposal but didn't decide on it. They're now asking for public feedback while looking into other possible locations, including city housing authority land.
Regular players spoke out strongly about the tower's impact. "There are enough obstacles out here already, and having another one is not going to help my golf game,” golfer Shawn McNutt told Wink News.
The suggested location sits in the middle of the course, with several holes nearby. Verizon picked this spot because it offers easy access to needed utilities — both power and phone lines.
More public talks will help decide the tower's future. There's no set date for the final decision yet.
