Mayfair Country Club

Almost As Much Fun As The Real Thing!Mayfair Turns 100feature

Sanford’s famous “muni” celebrates a century of golf history in Central Florida.

ny golfer who’s fallen in love with this game, albeit on a limited budget, has probably pursued that passion playing a municipal golf course. “Munis” as we golfers fondly call them, differ from public courses as they are owned and/ or managed by a city, town, or county. While privately owned public courses are managed to make money, municipals primary goal is to offer affordable outdoor recreation without breaking your wallet. Don’t worry about the dress code or changing your shoes in the parking lot (unless you’re at Beth Page or Torrey Pines), munis are as “old school” as it gets and have the history to go with it.

Such is the case with Mayfair Country Club in Sanford, Florida (just outside Orlando) which is marking a major milestone and celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

In 1870, the city’s namesake, Henry Shelton Sanford, purchased a 20,000acre tract of land. Eight years later, he sold a portion to Charles Amory. Armory was a retired sea captain, who planted citrus trees and the signature double row of oak trees that line the main entrance and remain today. He also built a boat-shaped home on the course which later served as the clubhouse for many years.

The property was then purchased by brothers and business partners Sydney and Joshua Chase, owners of Chase & Company. Early in 1922, the Chase brothers commissioned a 50-man crew to build a 9-hole golf

Acourse which officially opened later that year as the Sanford Country Club. Green fees were $1.00 for out-of-towners, $0.50 for city residents, and a 30-round book cost $10.00. The city of Sanford purchased the golf course from the Chase brothers in 1924, expanded play to 18 holes, and operated it over the next two decades. According to various accounts the course was designed under the direction of a young, relatively inexperienced course builder named Cameron Trent. Many, however, believe the course architect was the preeminent Donald Ross as noted by the large historic metal sign at the entrance to the course. At that time, Ross had spent years designing dozens of courses in Florida

although a majority were never visited by him in person.

“In its heyday, Sanford was heralded as a course of superior quality; I find it unlikely that Mayfair was a first effort by an unknown designer,” said Paul R. Dunn, former historian of Pinehurst Country Club and co-author of Great Donald Ross Golf Courses Anyone Can Play. “It deserves to be known as a Donald Ross creation.”

It didn’t take long for the course to attract two of golf’s biggest stars for an exhibition. In 1927, 11-time major champion, Walter Hagen, and seven-time major champion, Gene Sarazen, both World Golf Hall of Fame members, traveled to Sanford to compete in an 18-hole exhibition match. The match ended after 14 holes with ‘The Haig’ defeating ‘The Squire’ 5 and 4. This put Mayfair on a future path to being praised in national golf publications and hosting several professional golf tournaments.

In the 1940s, the city leased the golf course to several parties, the longest and most notable among them being the New York Giants baseball team. The Giants used Sanford as their Spring Training headquarters from 1948-1959, residing at Sanford’s Mayfair Inn, which the team used as a dormitory for minor-league ball players in addition to operating the hotel. The course was renamed the Mayfair Country Club in 1953. Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth was a frequent visitor to the course.

Between 1955-1958, the club hosted “The Mayfair Inn Open” on the PGA Tour. The event was played in mid-December from 1955–1958 for a total purse of $15,000. Famed golfing legends Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, and Canada’s Moe Norman, competed in the event. Palmer won his first professional paycheck for $528 in December 1956.

In 1959, Mayfair Country Club hosted the “Sanford Women’s Open,” a one-time event on the LPGA Tour. The tournament was won by LPGA founding member and World Golf Hall of Famer, Marlene Hagge.

Since the departure of the Giants in the 1960s, Mayfair has remained under city ownership and managed by various property management groups. Its historical roots are a big reason why it is one of 54 golf courses that comprise the Florida Historic Golf Trail. The par-70 layout features

four sets of tees that range from 5,000 to 6,400 yards.

Over time, hurricanes and storms have led to the loss of many of the large picturesque oak trees, dripping with their thick Spanish moss, that were symbolic of old Florida. Today, Mayfair’s fairways are more open and forgiving which benefits higher handicap players, but the approaches to the green still retain a high degree of difficulty and more than half of the holes have water hazards to keep even the best golfers on their toes.

In preparation for Mayfair Country Club’s 100th anniversary, the team at Mayfair have been focused on modernizing and improving the golf course’s clubhouse, maintenance and conditioning under the guidance of General Manager Scott Bennett, Golf Course Superintendent Chris Zinna and the resources and support of Down to Earth Golf, a facility services company based in Lake Mary, that manages and maintains more than 30 golf courses across the United States.

Zinna is eight years into his 10year plan to return Mayfair to its historic roots literally and figuratively. “They (Down to Earth) get it.” said Zinna in a recent issue of Florida Green Magazine. “They know you can’t make money without spending some money…the way golf courses get better is consistency and DTE gets that. It nice to have a management company that has your back.”

The original clubhouse was demolished in 2021 with a temporary clubhouse placed on site. A new clubhouse estimated at $1.5M will offer modern and contemporary golf amenities while paying homage to Mayfair’s history. Originally scheduled to open for the 100th anniversary, construction was delayed due to the pandemic.

Mayfair hosts a variety of charitable and non-profit golf tournaments. Bennett noted that the club is especially proud to have relaunched the Mayfair Open back in 2018. Over 100 professionals and 60 amateurs compete in the tournament for more than $60,000 in prizes. One tournament that directly impacts the city of Sanford is the CaddyShack Open, benefitting Cops for Christmas. Cops for Christmas is an annual event held by Sanford’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 140. At this event, local children and their families are provided breakfast, ride Sanford’s Downtown Trolley to Walmart, and get paired up with an officer who presents each child a $100 gift card to go shopping. In 2019, the tournament raised over $9,800 benefiting 107 children.

Mayfair Country Club offers some of the most affordable golf in Central Florida. One round and this “muni” will become one of your favorites. Check out Mayfair’s social media for their latest unique and fun events, glow golf, happy hour, leagues and more or to book a tee time call 407322-2531.

One of the charming aspects of Mayfair is the towering signature oak trees that greet golfers as they drive in the main entrance.

Mayfair features a mix of mature oaks and pines highlighted with a few water hazards and plenty of bunkers to challenge all golfers.