As golf fans and pros turn their eyes toward Southwest Florida this December, one name stands out among the region’s celebrated courses: Tiburón Golf Club, a championship facility that has become a fixture on both the PGA and LPGA tours. Known for its world-class layout, luxury setting, and deep competitive history, Tiburón is set to host the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational.
Located in beautiful Naples, Florida, Tiburón Golf Club is anchored by two exceptional 18-hole golf courses, The Gold and The Black, both designed by golf legend Greg Norman, twice winner of The Open Championship. Stretching over 36 holes of golf woven into Florida’s coastal terrain, the club represents a blend of championship challenge and resort allure that draws avid golfers from across the country.
Championship Courses Designed by a Legend
One of the defining features of Tiburón Golf Club is its pedigree of design. Norman, who held the world’s No. 1 ranking and won multiple major championships during his playing career, translated his vision into both of Tiburón’s courses.
The Gold Course, which opened in 1998, is the club’s signature layout. It plays as long as 7,382 yards from the championship tees and is a par-72 test of precision and strategy. The course’s design emphasizes smooth turf, strategic bunkering, and subtle use of Florida’s natural topography, combining both challenge and beauty. The fairways are generous, but defended by coquina shell waste areas and stacked sod wall bunkers, offering risk-reward decisions at every turn.
Just a few years later, the Black Course opened in 2001, adding a complementary test of golf for players of all levels. Also a par-72, it stretches to nearly 7,000 yards and emphasizes varied shot-making, elevation changes, and natural landscape features.
Both courses are Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, recognizing their commitment to environmental stewardship and habitat preservation.
A Tour-Level Legacy and Major Event Host
Tiburón’s reputation extends far beyond practice rounds and member play; it has a rich history with professional golf. The club’s Gold Course was for many years home to the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout, an unofficial team event played each December. Though that event concluded in 2022, Tiburón transitioned seamlessly into hosting what has become one of the most talked-about postseason events: the Grant Thornton Invitational.
Now in its third year, the Grant Thornton Invitational brings 16 mixed teams, each featuring one PGA Tour and one LPGA Tour player. The tournament’s creative formats include scrambles, foursomes, and modified four-ball, making it a fresh and engaging spectacle for both golfers and casual fans.
Past editions of the event have featured major stars such as Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, Tony Finau, and defending champions Jake Knapp and Patty Tavatanakit. With 12 of the world’s top 50 female golfers and multiple top-50 men competing, the Invitational reinforces Tiburón’s position as a premier tournament venue.
Luxury, Amenities, and Lifestyle
Situated adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, the club is part of a broader Naples community that blends upscale living with world-class leisure amenities.
The club’s Mediterranean-style clubhouse spans 27,000 square feet, featuring multiple dining rooms, private member locker areas, lounges, and a top-tier golf shop. Members and guests also benefit from access to the Ritz-Carlton’s spa, tennis facilities, and resort-level services.
Membership at Tiburón provides additional perks, including concierge services, advanced tee-time access, and social privileges that extend across the community and into Naples’ vibrant culture. Whether playing a competitive round, practicing on state-of-the-art facilities, or enjoying a post-game meal with views of Florida’s famed sunsets, Tiburón offers an immersive golf lifestyle.
It’s also committed to developing players at every level through the Tiburón Golf Academy. The Academy offers customized instruction, performance analysis, and state-of-the-art training tools designed to help golfers improve all aspects of their game. From detailed swing biomechanics and short-game precision work to on-course strategy sessions, the program blends cutting-edge technology with expert coaching. Whether a weekend player looking to shave strokes or a competitive amateur striving for higher achievement, the Academy reinforces Tiburón’s reputation not only as a championship venue but as a hub for golf education and improvement.
When to Watch the Grant Thornton Invitational
According to Naples Daily News, here is the official schedule for the tournament:
Format of Play
-
Friday (Round 1): Scramble
Teams attack the course aggressively, selecting the best shot on each stroke to generate low opening scores. -
Saturday (Round 2): Alternate Shot
Precision and communication take center stage as partners alternate shots on the same ball, placing added pressure on execution. -
Sunday (Round 3): Modified Four-Ball
Both players compete individually on each hole, with the team’s best score counting toward the total, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The Gold Course will play at 7,382 yards for the men and 6,595 yards for the women, creating a balanced test that rewards accuracy, creativity, and teamwork.
Tee Times
All teams will tee off from the first hole, beginning at 9 a.m., featuring a lineup packed with star power:
-
9:00 a.m. – Angel Yin / Tom Hoge; Maja Stark / Neal Shipley
-
9:15 a.m. – Megan Khang / Keith Mitchell; Lauren Coughlin / Andrew Novak
-
9:30 a.m. – Rose Zhang / Michael Kim; Jessica Korda / Bud Cauley
-
9:45 a.m. – Andrea Lee / Billy Horschel; Jennifer Kupcho / Chris Gotterup
-
10:00 a.m. – Lottie Woad / Luke Clanton; Charley Hull / Michael Brennan
-
10:15 a.m. – Nelly Korda / Denny McCarthy; Brooke Henderson / Corey Conners
-
10:30 a.m. – Lilia Vu / Tony Finau; Lexi Thompson / Wyndham Clark
-
10:45 a.m. – Lydia Ko / Jason Day; Patty Tavatanakit / Jake Knapp
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Grant Thornton Invitational Returns to Tiburón Golf Club in Naples appeared first on Heavy Sports.