Arcadia Municipal Golf Course in Arcadia Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

 Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Arcadia Municipal Golf Course, located in the city of Arcadia in DeSoto County, has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of March.

“We are pleased to feature the Arcadia Municipal Golf Course as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “For over 90 years, this course has been a fixture for golfers and visitors to Arcadia and an important addition to the city’s scenic beauty.”

Image Courtesy of Arcadia Municipal Golf Course

In 1917, the Arcadia Golf and Auto Club was organized and received support from Albert W. Gilchrist, Florida’s 20^th Governor, and golf enthusiast. Gilchrist offered a free of charge, long term lease on land that he owned, for the construction of a 9-hole golf course. However, the golf course was never built, due in part to World War I.

In 1919, Arcadians again took up the matter of the golf course. The Golf Club enlisted the services of Harry Cowie to design the 9-hole layout. They began construction in the fall of 1922, and on Christmas Day that year, several matches were played on the course to celebrate its official opening, though only a few holes were open. All nine holes were completed in 1923. In 2001, the City added another nine holes and renovated the existing golf course.

Today, the Arcadia Municipal Golf Course includes an 18-hole, par-72 golf course featuring four sets of tees playing from 4,500 to 5,900 yards. The course has open fairways and sloping greens with Bermuda grass.

“The Arcadia Municipal Golf Course is exceedingly proud to be a part of the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Terry Stewart, City of Arcadia Administrator. “Even though we are a rural community, the game of golf has enjoyed a long and important place in the fabric of our community.  We invite you to come and enjoy a day of golf with us at another historic piece of Florida’s golf history.”

For more information about the Arcadia Municipal Golf Course, click here. To learn more about the Florida Historic Golf Trail, visit floridahistoricgolftrail.com or find us on Facebook at 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 late 1800s 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.