Osceola Municipal Golf Course Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

Tallahassee –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Osceola Municipal Golf Course has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of April. The Osceola Municipal Golf Course is located in the city of Pensacola in Escambia County.

“We are pleased that Osceola Municipal Golf Course is a partner of the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “This recently renovated Pensacola course boasts a rich history and many successful junior golf alumni.”

In 1925, Pensacola voters approved a bond for construction of a municipal golf course.  A.G. Siegfried, a landscape architect from Chicago, was hired to oversee construction, and in 1926, nine holes were officially opened.  After winning the 1930 La Gorce Open golf tournament in Miami, “Wild” Bill Mehlhorn arrived in Pensacola to assume duties of the head golf professional at Osceola Golf Course.  One of his first tasks was to direct the building of a second nine holes.

The 18-hole, par-72 Osceola Municipal Golf Course features four sets of tees playing from 4,900 to 6,400 yards. Operated by the City of Pensacola, Osceola prides itself on being the area’s leader in promoting junior golf and the First Tee program of Northwest Florida. In 2011, the Osceola Municipal Golf Course underwent a complete renovation, which included new greens and a state of the art practice facility.

In April, 2014, nearby Milton High graduate and two time Masters champion Bubba Watson, came back to spend time at the Osceola Municipal Golf Course, and reflect on his junior golf career. This year, Bubba will compete for his third green jacket at the Masters Golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, from April 9 – 12.

“We are excited and honored to be featured this month on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Adrian Stills, General Manager of Osceola Municipal Golf Course. “Osceola has a rich and deep history ranging back to Wild Bill Mehlhorn and Tony Pena who were the first two club professionals, to the development of some of today's PGA Tour players such as Jerry Pate, Joe Durant, and Bubba Watson who have been a big part of the growth of The First Tee of Northwest Florida at Osceola. “

For more information about the Osceola Municipal Golf Course or the Florida Historic Golf Trail program visit Osceola Municipal Golf Course , 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.