Martin County Golf Course Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

Tallahassee –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Martin County Golf Course has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of September. The Martin County Golf Course is located in the City of Stuart in Martin County.

“We are pleased to feature the historic Martin County Golf Course as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “We appreciate the efforts of the Martin County government to preserve and reintroduce the history of the golf course.”

In the early 1920’s, plans were developed for a new 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and clubhouse to be built as part of the newly organized St. Lucie Golf Club and Tennis Court Club. Golf course architect William Langford was hired to design an 18-hole layout. Hugh Willoughby, Jr., of Newport, Rhode Island and Port Sewall, an amateur golfer, supervised the work on the course. In 1925, nine holes of the golf course officially opened and were known as the St. Lucie River Country Club. In 1947, the county acquired the course and renamed it the Martin County Golf & Country Club. Over the years, the golf course has expanded from the original 9-holes to a 36-hole course that players can enjoy today.

The Martin County Golf Course is a 36-hole public golf complex. The golf club consists of four 9-hole courses (Gold & Blue and Red & White) that are played in two 18-hole combinations. The Gold & Blue Course features four sets of tees playing from 4,900 to 6,200 yards and the Red & White Course features four sets of tees playing from 5,300 to 6,400 yards. Portions of the Red & White course follow the historic layout of the 1920s. 

“We are excited to be a part of the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” says Kevin Abbate, Martin County Parks and Recreation Director. “As the community develops the final Master Plan for the Martin County golf course, our top goal will be to preserve its history, which dates back to the early 1920’s, for future generations to enjoy.” 

Image Courtesy of Martin County Golf Course

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

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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.