Ocala Golf Club Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

TALLAHASSEE –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that Ocala Golf Club has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of June. The Ocala Golf Club is located in the City of Ocala in Marion County.

“We are pleased to feature the historic Ocala Golf Club as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “The City of Ocala has a long history and strong ties to the development of golf in Florida, dating back to the early 20th century.”

Ocala had a 9-hole golf course in the early 1900s known as the Ocala Heights Golf Club. The early popularity of golf in Ocala generated citizen support for the development of a second golf course on the east side of town. Construction began in 1930 for a course designed and built under the personal supervision of E. Ellsworth Giles, golf architect from Pittsburgh. Giles promoted himself not only as an architect, but also as a builder of golf courses and an authority in selecting land for golf links.The Ocala Highlands Golf Course and Hotel formally opened in 1931. In the mid-1940s, the City of Ocala purchased the golf course and built a new clubhouse.

In 2009, the municipal golf course re-opened for play following an extensive renovation by golf course architect Michael Beebe. The renovation, consisting of new greens, tees, bunkers, irrigation, cart paths and selective tree removal, re-captured the classical look and strategic principles that had been lost over the years. The club also re-introduced short grass around the greens to add interest to the short game.

Today, the Ocala Golf Club includes an 18-hole, par-72 golf course featuring five sets of tees playing from 4,200 to 6,500 yards. The Emerald Dwarf Bermuda Greens provide a tight putting surface with very little grain. Short grass collection areas and white sand bunkers allow for a variety of shot options around the greens. There is no doubt that strategy is a key component of the game at Ocala Golf Club. 

“The Ocala Golf Club is honored to be June’s featured course of the month on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Chris Howley, Head Golf Professional at Ocala Golf Club. “From the moment you set foot on the property, you’re going to be provided with great service, a picturesque historic golf course and of course, you’re always going to have a good time.”

Image Courtesy of Ocala Golf Club

For more information about the Ocala Golf Club or the Florida Historic Golf Trail program visit Ocala Golf Club, 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. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state's traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division director 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, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information visit flheritage.com.