Cleveland Heights Golf Course Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail

TALLAHASSEE –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Cleveland Heights Golf Course has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of July. The Cleveland Heights Golf Course is located in the city of Lakeland in Polk County.

“We are pleased to feature the historic Cleveland Heights Golf Course as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “The City of Lakeland recognizes the value of this golf course to the community and the state, and has done a wonderful job renovating this historic resource.”

Cleveland Heights was the focal point of an exclusive golf course community built by developer H.A. Stahl, who named the project after his hometown. The golf course was designed by the golf course architectural firm of Howard Toomey & William Flynn. Under the personal supervision of William Flynn, the course was described to be as long and difficult as most of the northern links and opened in 1925. The City of Lakeland took over the golf course by the end of the 1930s and maintains the course today. In the early 1980s, general manager, Reuben Gibson supervised the addition of the third nine holes, which expanded the course to the 27 holes in play today.

The Cleveland Heights Golf Course is a 27-hole golf complex consisting of three 9-hole courses that are played in 18-hole combinations (A/B, A/C, or B/C). Each 9-hole course features three sets of tees playing from 2,600 to 3,200 yards and the 18-hole combinations play from 5,300 to 6,400 yards. The “A” Course has the most open fairways, the ”B” Course is more challenging than the other two, and the “C” Course has the most length. Known locally as the “Heights,” the facility is run by the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Lakeland, and offers golfers of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the sport.

“Cleveland Heights and the City of Lakeland are very appreciative for being the featured golf course for the month of July,” said Golf Course Manager Brock Witmyer. “Upon finishing the C Course this summer, we will have renovated the tees and greens on all three of our 9 hole courses over the past three years. Come out and visit our friendly staff - we are a public facility with a country club feel.”

For more information about the Cleveland Heights Golf Course or the Florida Historic Golf Trail program visit Cleveland Heights Golf Course or Florida Historic Golf Trail or Facebook.com/FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.

# # #

About The Florida Historic Golf Trail

Florida's golf history, recognized as one of the oldest in the nation, dates back to the 1890s when a number of early courses were created along with the development of railroads and hotels in the state. The Florida Historic Golf Trail is a collection of more than 50 historic, publicly accessible golf courses throughout the state that can still be played on today.Through the Florida Historic Golf Trail, golfers can play on courses designed by world-class architects and played by famous golfers such as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Babe Zaharias, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.  Information about the history and current day contact information for each partner course can be found at FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.com.  Find the historic course near you and Come Play on History!

About The Division of Historical Resources

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The director of DHR serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus or major program areas: archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com.