From Gulf Harbour Residents to Members: Rob and Lisa Whitt

Rob and Lisa Whitt spent five years living at Gulf Harbour before they became members.

They walked the neighborhoods, used their pool, explored Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach, and watched other members disappear into a world they hadn't yet joined.

In February 2025, they stopped watching from the outside.

They followed a different membership timeline: they bought property first and joined the Club later. For them, it was the best decision.

A Second Home Search

The Whitts weren't looking for a country club when they started searching for a second home. A group of close friends had relocated to the Fort Myers area, and Rob and Lisa wanted to be nearby. Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach had already caught Lisa's attention—and she'd already been to Gulf Harbour before.

So, they rented for a month.

"We really enjoyed it," Lisa says. "Just being able to walk some very beautiful neighborhoods, and even though we couldn't use any of the amenities, we still enjoyed the month."

They bought in July 2019. At that point, they were still working, and time in Florida was limited. They wanted to wait until retirement, then decide on membership.

Life Before the Club

For several years, Gulf Harbour was a place the Whitts lived in, but didn't fully inhabit.

"We spent a lot more time planning and going and doing things before we joined the membership," Rob says. "One of our member friends says, 'I don't leave the campus,' and that was not us at all."

They met some members along the way, though they still felt on the outside at times.

"It was a little bit difficult to create friendships with them if you weren't a member," Lisa says, "because they were doing things that members do."

That tension didn't push them toward membership right away, but it stayed with them.

What Made the Decision Clear

Rob left work in November 2024, but a major turning point came earlier. The Whitts had spent time looking at other communities and investigating other clubs. Nothing seemed to compare to Gulf Harbour.

"There was just not much comparison in terms of beauty, in terms of amenities, in terms of the newness of the country club," Rob says.

They'd also been weighing whether to buy a home with a pool. Once they realized Gulf Harbour's pool covered that need, their last lingering doubts faded.

The transition into membership was easy.

"They really embraced us," Lisa says. "Right away, as we started doing events and different things, they would invite us to go with them. Our network of friends grew quite quickly."

Rob started going to the gym daily. He joined a men's Bible fellowship through the club. Lisa has her eye on the card club; she's already noticed members playing Canasta and other games throughout the day.

They've attended every event since joining. Even the food during the clubhouse renovation, cooked out of a portable kitchen, was delightful.

"We can't wait for what we're going to have once the clubhouse reopens," Lisa says.

Looking Back & Looking Ahead

So, should potential Gulf Harbour members buy first or join first? That choice is up to each person, but the Whitts lean more toward earlier membership.

"I think we would have enjoyed it a lot if we had joined earlier," Rob says.

Lisa agreed. Seeing members active in the club while they were still on the outside gave them something to aspire to, but it also meant years of watching the experience from a distance.

For anyone in a similar position, living at Gulf Harbour, or seriously considering it, Rob says, "Do it. If you're looking for a country club, I don't think you'll do better. Call Holly Trent, do a tour, have her tell you about what exciting things are coming."

The renovation is expected to wrap in November 2026. There's never been a better time to jump in.