golf history
By Mike May
The Biltmore Hotel
Miami-Dade County The ‘Capitol’ of the Florida Historic Golf Trail To fully appreciate
the true history and roots of golf in Florida, pay a visit to Miami-Dade County. There, you’ll find seven of the 53 golf courses along the Florida Historic Golf Trail. Those seven courses are the Miami Beach Golf Club, Miami Springs Golf & Country Club, Miami Shores Country Club, Normandy Shores Golf Club in Miami Beach, Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables, Granada Golf Course in Coral Gables, and the Redland Golf and Country Club in Homestead. Each golf course has a historical past worth reading, researching and reviewing. Playing each course is fun, too. The Miami Beach GC opened for play in 1923 and was originally called the Bayshore Golf Course. There was star appeal at the grand opening when 28
golfing legend Gene Sarazen played the first 18 holes in November 1922. During World War II, the course became a training ground for the U.S. Army. Then, in 2002, the course underwent a $10 million renovation, a new clubhouse was built, and the course’s name was changed to the Miami Beach Golf Club.
The Miami Springs G & CC is the oldest golf course in Miami-Dade County. Originally called the Miami-Hialeah Golf Course, this layout was the original home of the Miami Open. From 1925 to 1955, the beginning of the winter professional golf circuit – the Miami Open -- started here at Miami Springs. Miami Springs Golf & Country Club
Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 11
