Esplanade at Rivergrass Golf Course: Complete Guide to Naples’ New Golf Community

A brand-new golf lifestyle is taking shape in eastern Collier County.

Esplanade at Rivergrass in Naples, Florida is being developed around a new 18-hole championship-level golf course designed by C.W. Golf Architecture, making golf one of the defining features of this new Taylor Morrison resort-style community.

For buyers searching for new golf communities in Naples, Florida, Rivergrass is especially interesting because buyers will have an opportunity to combine brand-new construction with a completely new golf course rather than purchasing in a community where both the homes and course were developed decades ago.

Esplanade at Rivergrass is currently expected to open in early 2027, and construction of the golf course is already well underway.

Here’s what prospective buyers and golfers should know.

A New 18-Hole Golf Course in Naples, Florida

Taylor Morrison describes the planned course at Esplanade at Rivergrass as an 18-hole championship-level golf course that will serve as a centerpiece of the community.

The course is being designed to accommodate golfers of different abilities, with multiple tee locations intended to make the course approachable while still providing a challenge for more experienced players.

Rather than separating the golf course from the residential environment, the plan integrates golf with lakes, landscaping, preserved natural areas and the broader Rivergrass community.

That means golf is expected to be more than an amenity at Rivergrass.

It will be a major part of the way the community looks and functions.

Who Designed the Esplanade at Rivergrass Golf Course?

The course is being designed by Christopher Wilczynski and C.W. Golf Architecture.

Wilczynski has extensive experience designing residential golf communities and has worked repeatedly with Taylor Morrison on golf courses within its Esplanade brand.

Before establishing C.W. Golf Architecture, Wilczynski spent nearly two decades working with the highly regarded Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest organization.

Rivergrass represents another collaboration between Wilczynski and Taylor Morrison as the Esplanade brand continues expanding its golf-oriented communities in Florida.

What Will the Rivergrass Golf Course Look Like?

One of the most interesting aspects of the project is how dramatically the original property is being reshaped.

The land was previously largely agricultural, which meant the design team was able to create the golf landscape essentially from the ground up.

More than three million cubic yards of soil are expected to be moved as part of the mass-grading process.

That work is being used to create elevation changes, lakes, contours and golf features across what would otherwise be relatively flat Southwest Florida terrain.

The design philosophy emphasizes a strong relationship between golf and water.

Some holes are planned directly alongside water while others interact with water from different angles.

The objective is to create what the architect has described as a distinct Rivergrass character through water features, landscaping and the natural environment rather than making every hole look the same.

Water, Golf and Southwest Florida Landscaping

Water should be one of the most visible elements of the Rivergrass golf experience.

That matters from both a golf and real-estate perspective.

From a player’s standpoint, strategically positioned water can create risk-and-reward decisions and make individual holes more memorable.

From a homeowner’s standpoint, the combination of golf, lakes and landscaping could create some of the community’s most desirable homesite views.

As homesites are released, buyers interested in golf-course living should pay close attention to exactly how individual lots relate to:

Fairways
Greens
Tee boxes
Lakes
Cart paths
Preserves
Landscaping
Practice areas

A home described simply as a “golf view” can provide a very different experience depending on where it is positioned on the course.

How Far Along Is the Rivergrass Golf Course?

Construction has progressed significantly during 2026.

In an August 2026 interview, course architect Christopher Wilczynski said approximately seven holes remained to be built, with much of the rest of the course getting close enough that limited preview rounds for prospective homebuyers were being considered for later in the fall.

That does not mean the entire golf course is already complete.

After major earthwork and shaping are finished, golf construction still includes grass establishment, irrigation work, bunker finishing, landscaping and the time necessary for playing surfaces to mature.

But the progress means Rivergrass is no longer merely a golf course shown on a conceptual site plan.

The golf landscape is physically taking shape.

When Will Esplanade at Rivergrass Golf Open?

Taylor Morrison currently anticipates Esplanade at Rivergrass opening in early 2027.

The builder’s current community information continues to market both the new homes and the 18-hole course as coming soon.

As with any major construction project, the exact opening of the golf course could differ from the opening of the residential sales program.

Weather, turf establishment, construction and final course preparation can all influence when golfers actually begin regular play.

We will continue tracking the golf-course opening at EsplanadeFLRiverGrass.com.

Will Rivergrass Have a Golf Pro Shop?

Yes.

Taylor Morrison currently plans a golf pro shop as part of the Esplanade at Rivergrass golf experience.

The builder says the pro shop is intended to provide resort-level service for golfers checking in for tee times as well as those looking for golf apparel and related items.

A golf snack shack is also included among the planned amenities.

That is consistent with Taylor Morrison’s positioning of Rivergrass as a complete golf and resort community rather than simply a residential neighborhood that happens to have a golf course.

Is Esplanade at Rivergrass Golf Bundled?

This is one of the most important questions prospective buyers are going to ask.

Taylor Morrison has not yet publicly provided enough final information for us to say that every Rivergrass home will include bundled golf membership.

Buyers should not assume that purchasing any home automatically provides exactly the same golf privileges.

This distinction matters because other Esplanade communities have offered different types of homes and golf arrangements.

For example, Taylor Morrison’s established Esplanade Golf & Country Club of Naples has previously distinguished between golf and non-golf home opportunities.

Until Rivergrass releases its final membership documents, buyers should verify:

Whether golf is bundled with particular homes
Whether condos and single-family homes receive the same privileges
Whether membership is mandatory or optional
Any initiation fee
Annual golf dues
Cart fees
Trail fees
Guest policies
Transfer policies
Tee-time rules

We will update this page as those details become available.

How Much Will Rivergrass Golf Membership Cost?

As of now, final Rivergrass golf membership pricing has not been publicly released.

That number is important because the purchase price of a home does not tell the entire story in a golf community.

Before buying, prospective owners should calculate the complete ownership cost, potentially including:

HOA fees
Golf dues
Club fees
Condo fees, if applicable
Food-and-beverage requirements
Cart charges
Capital or initiation fees
Property taxes
Insurance

Once Taylor Morrison publishes the final Rivergrass membership and fee structure, EsplanadeFLRiverGrass.com will provide a separate breakdown.

Will Rivergrass Have Practice Facilities?

Taylor Morrison currently emphasizes the 18-hole championship course, pro shop and related golf lifestyle.

Additional details concerning the exact practice facility configuration should be confirmed as the golf operation gets closer to opening.

This is another area we will continue monitoring.

For serious golfers, practice facilities can be almost as important as the golf course itself, particularly for residents who expect to play frequently.

What Skill Level Is the Rivergrass Course Designed For?

Taylor Morrison says the golf course will provide tee locations for golfers of different skill levels.

That is an important part of modern residential golf-course design.

A community course needs to work for experienced low-handicap players while remaining enjoyable for recreational golfers who may simply want to play a relaxed round with friends.

Wilczynski’s design is therefore intended to balance playability and challenge rather than creating a course that only appeals to highly competitive golfers.

Golf-Course Homes at Esplanade at Rivergrass

For some buyers, the golf course itself will be only half the attraction.

The opportunity to own a new home overlooking golf or water may be equally important.

Esplanade at Rivergrass will include both single-family homes and condominiums.

The current single-family lineup ranges from approximately 1,580 to 4,591 square feet, giving buyers an unusually broad range of homes to potentially pair with golf-oriented homesites.

When golf homesites are released, buyers should look beyond the phrase “golf course view.”

Consider questions such as:

Does the home face the fairway or green?

How far is the home from the cart path?

Could golf balls realistically reach the property?

Will trees or future landscaping affect the view?

Does the lanai face east or west?

Is water positioned between the house and golf course?

How much homesite premium is being charged?

Those details can have a significant effect on both everyday enjoyment and future resale value.

Golf and Conservation at Rivergrass

Esplanade at Rivergrass sits within the larger Town of Big Cypress development.

Rivergrass Village is being developed alongside more than 4,000 acres of protected conservation land, while the overall Town of Big Cypress is surrounded by more than 12,000 acres of permanently protected natural lands.

That broader setting is important to the Rivergrass golf concept.

Taylor Morrison says the course is intended to wind through the community scenery while preserving and incorporating the natural character of its surroundings.

For buyers who like golf but don’t want their community to feel like endless rows of homes, the combination of golf, water and preserved land could become one of Rivergrass’s major attractions.

More Than Just Golf

Although golf will be a centerpiece, Esplanade at Rivergrass is being planned as a broader resort-style community.

Current planned amenities include:

18-hole championship-level golf course
Golf pro shop
Golf snack shack
Resort-style pool and spa
Poolside cabanas
Bahama Bar
Culinary Center
Wellness Center
Fitness center
Signature spa services
Tennis
Pickleball
Bocce
Toasted Café
Bark Park
Fireside seating
Walking trails

Taylor Morrison also plans lifestyle programming and resident activities.

So even within a household where only one person plays golf, the community may still have considerable appeal to the non-golfer.

Rivergrass vs. Older Naples Golf Communities

One of the most compelling arguments for Rivergrass may simply be its age.

Naples has an extraordinary selection of established golf communities.

However, buyers who specifically want new construction in a golf community have fewer choices.

Rivergrass offers the possibility of:

Brand-new home + brand-new golf course + new amenities + modern floor plans

within the same development.

The trade-off is that a brand-new community may require patience while landscaping matures and all amenities and surrounding development are completed.

Established Naples golf communities, by comparison, often have mature landscaping and fully operating club facilities from day one.

Neither approach is automatically better.

It depends on whether the buyer values newness and future growth or an already established club environment.

Is Rivergrass Golf Right for You?

Esplanade at Rivergrass may deserve serious consideration if you’re looking for:

New construction
Golf-course living
An 18-hole course
Multiple home sizes
Golf and water views
Resort-style amenities
A newer community
Eastern Collier County
An active Florida lifestyle

However, serious golf buyers should wait for the final membership documents before making assumptions about dues, access and membership structure.

Those details can materially affect the economics of purchasing a home.

Get Esplanade at Rivergrass Golf Updates

The Rivergrass golf story is still developing.

At EsplanadeFLRiverGrass.com, we will continue following:

Golf-course construction
Opening dates
Golf membership structure
Golf dues
Initiation fees
Golf homesites
Water-and-golf homesites
Course maps
Practice facilities
Pro-shop information
Tee-time policies
Model homes
Builder incentives

If you’re considering purchasing a golf home at Esplanade at Rivergrass, contact Team Mastra before your first builder registration or model-home visit so you can compare homesites, floor plans and other Southwest Florida golf communities.

Gerard Mastrapasqua
Team Mastra
Realty ONE Group MVP
Serving Southwest Florida
(239) 329-0918

Frequently Asked Questions About Esplanade at Rivergrass Golf

Will Esplanade at Rivergrass have a golf course?

Yes. Taylor Morrison currently plans an 18-hole championship-level golf course as a centerpiece of the community.

Who designed the Rivergrass golf course?

The course is being designed by C.W. Golf Architecture, led by golf-course architect Christopher Wilczynski.

When will the Rivergrass golf course open?

Esplanade at Rivergrass is currently expected to begin opening in early 2027, although the precise golf-course opening date could differ and remains subject to construction progress.

Is golf included when you buy a home at Rivergrass?

The final golf-membership structure has not yet been publicly established in enough detail to say that every home receives identical golf privileges. Buyers should verify the membership terms for their specific home before purchasing.

How much are Rivergrass golf dues?

Final golf dues and membership fees have not yet been publicly announced. We will update EsplanadeFLRiverGrass.com as those numbers become available.

Will Rivergrass have different tees for different golfers?

Yes. Taylor Morrison says the course is planned with tee locations for different skill levels so it can offer both approachable and challenging play.

Will there be a golf pro shop?

Yes. A golf pro shop and snack shack are currently included among the planned amenities.

Is Esplanade at Rivergrass the same as Esplanade Golf & Country Club of Naples?

No. Esplanade at Rivergrass is a new community along Oil Well Road, while Esplanade Golf & Country Club of Naples is an established and sold-out Taylor Morrison community elsewhere in Naples.

EsplanadeFLRiverGrass.com is an independent real estate information website and is not the official website of Taylor Morrison, Esplanade or C.W. Golf Architecture. Golf-course plans, membership terms, dues, amenities, construction schedules, opening dates and other information are subject to change. Buyers should independently verify all current information before purchasing.