Miami Beach Golf Club Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Miami Beach Golf Club in Miami-Dade County has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of June.

“We are pleased to feature the Miami Beach Golf Club as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “Located in the heart of historic Miami Beach, this golf course has been a part of the community for more than 90 years.”

Image Courtesy of Miami Beach Golf Club

Originally called the Bay Shore Golf Course, work began on the golf course in 1921. It was part of pioneering developer Carl Fisher’s ambitious Alton Beach subdivision, designed to lure wealthy winter residents from New York, Indianapolis and Detroit. Fisher brought in English course designer Willie Park to lay out the course. The golf course was officially opened to the public in 1923.

During World War II, the U.S. Army rented the course for $1 a year for use as a training ground; and helmeted, rifle-toting soldiers found themselves running through the course’s palm trees amid the smoke from practice grenades.

In 2002, the City of Miami Beach hired the golf course architectural firm of Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates to redesign the golf course. The once tired and under-utilized Bay Shore has now become the elegant and highly regarded Miami Beach Golf Club. Today, the 18-hole, par 72 Miami Beach Golf Club features four sets of tees playing from 5,000 to 6,800 yards.

“We at Miami Beach Golf Club and Professional Course Management are delighted to be the featured course for the month,” said Jeff Hunt, Director of Marketing for Miami Beach Golf Club. “The club is consistently ranked as the top public course in the area and has prominent standing in the world golf community from hosting the South Beach International Amateur, the world’s 5^th ranked amateur championship. We welcome all players to come out and enjoy both of our historic, municipal golf clubs at Miami Beach and Normandy Shores!”

For more information about the Miami Beach Golf Club, click here. To learn more about the Florida Historic Golf Trail, visit floridahistoricgolftrail.com or find us on Facebook at 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 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.