Friday, October 30, 2015

Golf Courses in Monroe County, Florida




M = Municipal

The year the course opened is shown in square brackets.
If the year has an *, it means the course opened earlier under another name.



Public


Florida Keys Country Club [2013*] - Marathon - 18
Key West Golf Club [1982] - Key West - 18

Key Colony Beach Golf Course [1980] - Key Colony Beach - 9E M


Resort-Private


Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin GC [1969] - Key Largo - 18(36)
Ocean Reef Club - Hammock GC [2003*] - Key Largo - 18(36)

Cheeca Lodge & Spa Pitch & Putt GC [1976] - Islamorada - 9E


Private


Ocean Reef Club - Card Sound GC [1976*] - Key Largo - 18(54)







CLOSED

Closed & No Longer in Existence


These are golf courses that used to exist.
Their old footprint is either:
A) being used for another purpose than a golf course;
B) abandoned and the footprint still exists (chance of revival); or
C) removed and replaced by a new golf course design which still exists.

The dates when the course was open are shown in square brackets.

A golf course name in brackets refers to the last known name of the golf course facility. If the name is colored, it refers to a Type C closure and the existing course name is shown.

Type A

Duck Key GC - Marathon - 9E [1960-1986]

Key Largo Anglers Club Executive GC - Key Largo - 9E [1960s-1980s]
Key Largo Anglers Club Executive GC - Key Largo - 3E [1990s]

Type C

Cheeca Lodge GC - Islamorada - 9E [1962-1976] (Cheeca Lodge & Spa P&PGC)

Key Colony Beach GC - Key Colony Beach - 18E [1959-1968] (Key Colony Beach GC)
Key Colony Beach GC - Key Colony Beach - 9E [1968-1980] (Key Colony Beach GC)

Key West GC - Key West - 9 [1924-1966] (Key West GC)
Key West GC - Key West - 18 [1966-1982] (Key West GC)

Ocean Reef Club GC - Key Largo - 9 [1956-1960] (ORC - Dolphin GC/Card Sound GC)
Ocean Reef Club GC - Key Largo - 18 [1960-1969] (ORC - Dolphin GC/Card Sound GC)


Closed & Renamed


These are golf courses facilities that still exist today, but were known by a completely different name. These golf courses' footprints are essentially the same as the current course.

The name in brackets refers to the current course name.

Ocean Reef Club-Snapper GC - Key Largo - 9 [1969-1973] (ORC - Card Sound GC)
Ocean Reef Club-Barracuda GC - Key Largo - 18 [1973-1976] (ORC - Card Sound GC)

Ocean Reef Club-Harbor GC - Key Largo - 9 [1974-1976] (ORC - Hammock GC)
Ocean Reef Club-Harbor GC - Key Largo - 18 [1976-2003] (ORC - Hammock GC)

Sombrero Yacht & GC - Marathon - 18 [1960-1966] (Florida Keys CC)
Sombrero CC - Marathon - 18 [1966-2013] (Florida Keys CC)

Ocean Reef Club - Card Sound Golf Club


Info

Ocean Reef Club - Card Sound Golf Club
Private - 18 holes
Cannon Point Road
c/o 100 Country Club Road
Key Largo, Florida
Monroe County
33037
Card Sound Golf Club Website


The Card Sound Golf Club is a private club within the gated community resort of the Ocean Reef Club.


Other Courses on the Resort:
Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course
Ocean Reef Club Hammock Golf Course


Card Sound Golf Club Logo




Card Sound Golf Club - Award for Best Picture

EliteLuxuryTravel.com



Card Sound Golf Club Notes

The Ocean Reef Club golf course opened in 1956 with 9 holes and was designed by Mark Mahannah.

In 1960, the Ocean Reef Club golf course was expanded to 18 holes and was designed by Mark Mahannah.

In 1969, the Ocean Reef Club golf course was split into two golf courses with the northern 9 holes now known as the 9-hole Ocean Reef Club - Snapper Golf Course.

In 1973, Ocean Reef Club - Snapper Golf Course was expanded into 18 holes was renamed as Ocean Reef Club - Barracuda Golf Course and was designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge.

In 1976, the Ocean Reef Club - Barracuda Golf Course was renamed the Ocean Reef Club - Card Sound Golf Club.

In 1999, the Ocean Reef Club - Card Sound Golf Club was redesigned by Brian Silva.


Card Sound Golf Club Course Area




Card Sound Golf Club Course Layout and Scorecard




Street View of Gate House and Entrance (Gated Community of Ocean Reef Club)




Card Sound Golf Club on Google Maps




Card Sound Golf Club on Bing Maps


Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course


Info

Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course
Resort-Private - 18 holes [36]
Anchor Drive
c/o 35 Ocean Reef Drive
Key Largo, Florida
Monroe County
33037
Website
Resort Website


Other Courses on the Resort:
Ocean Reef Club Hammock Golf Course
Ocean Reef Club - Card Sound Golf Club

Ocean Reef Club Logo




Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course Award for Best Picture

HBHospitality.com





Ocean Reef Club Award for Best Picture - Resort

EliteLuxuryTravel.com



Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course Notes

The Ocean Reef Club golf course opened in 1956 with 9 holes and was designed by Mark Mahannah.

In 1960, the Ocean Reef Club golf course was expanded to 18 holes and was designed by Mark Mahannah.

In 1969, the Ocean Reef Club golf course was split into two golf courses with the southern 9 holes used for the new 18-hole Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course which was designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge.

In 2000, the Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course was redesigned by Chip Powell.


Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course Course Area




Interactive Course Layout & Resort Layout Map


Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course Scorecard




Street View of Gate House and Entrance (Gated Community of Ocean Reef Club)




Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course on Google Maps




Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course on Bing Maps

Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course


Info

Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course
Resort-Private - 18 holes [36]
Anchor Drive
c/o 35 Ocean Reef Drive
Key Largo, Florida
Monroe County
33037
Website
Resort Website


Other Courses on the Resort:
Ocean Reef Club - Dolphin Golf Course
Ocean Reef Club - Card Sound Golf Club

Ocean Reef Club Logo




Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course Award for Best Picture

TrendLuxury.com



Ocean Reef Club Award for Best Picture - Resort

EliteLuxuryTravel.com



Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course Notes

In 1974, the Ocean Reef Club - Harbor Golf Course opened as a 9-hole golf course and was designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge.

In 1976, the Ocean Reef Club - Harbor Golf Course was expanded into 18 holes and was designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge.

In 1992, the Ocean Reef Club - Harbor Golf Course was redesigned by Ted McAnlis.

In 2003, the Ocean Reef Club - Harbor Golf Course was renovated and was renamed as the Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course.


Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course Area




Interactive Course Layout & Resort Layout Map


Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course Scorecard




Street View of Gate House and Entrance (Gated Community of Ocean Reef Club)




Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course on Google Maps




Ocean Reef Club - Hammock Golf Course on Bing Maps



History

Key Largo Anglers Club Executive Golf Course


Info

Key Largo Anglers Club Executive Golf Course
Closed - 9 Holes Executive
50 Clubhouse Road
Key Largo, Florida
Monroe County
33037
Key Largo Anglers Club Website


Logo




Award for Best Picture - Resort

KLAC.org



Notes

The visionaries of the Key Largo Anglers Club Executive Golf Course were Clint and Kay Campbell. (estimated)

There was 1 unique layout for this course.

1960s-late 1980s/early 1990s: - Key Largo Anglers Club Executive Golf Course - 9 holes, par 27, 827 yards, designed by Clint and Kay Campbell. (estimated)


Resort Area




Estimated Layout and Scorecard




Street View of Resort Entrance




Google Maps




Bing Maps



History

During the 1960's, a 9 hole par 3 golf course was opened for the members of the Key Largo Angler's Club.

As the Key Largo Angler's Club's need for facilities increased over the years, the course was reduced to 3 holes in the late 1980s/early 1990's.

By the late 1990's the golf course was removed for the need of other facilities.


Cheeca Lodge & Spa Pitch & Putt Golf Course


Info

Cheeca Lodge & Spa Pitch & Putt Golf Course
Resort-Private - 9 Holes Executive
81801 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, Florida
Monroe County
33036
Website


Logo




Award for Best Picture - Golf Course

TripAdvisor
Photos of Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Islamorada


Award for Best Picture - Resort

Cheeca.com



Notes

The visionaries of the Cheeca Lodge Golf Course were Cynthia and Carl Twitchell, 1960.

There have been 3 unique layouts to the golf course.

November 16, 1962-1976: Cheeca Lodge Golf Course - 9 holes, par 27, 1078 yards (estimated), designed by Bob Cupp.

In 1976, the Cheeca Lodge Golf Course was revised by designer Jack Nicklaus.

1976-Nov 1988: Cheeca Lodge Golf Course - 9 holes, par 27, 838 yards.

In November 1988, the resort changed its name to Cheeca Lodge & Spa.

Since Nov 1988: Cheeca Lodge & Spa Pitch & Putt Golf Course - 9 holes, par 27, 838 yards.


Video




Resort Layout




Resort Area




Layout and Scorecard




Street View of Resort Entrance




Google Maps




Bing Maps



History

In 1960, after Hurricane Donna nearly demolished the resort, Carl and Cynthia Twitchell purchased the Olney Inn. Cynthia's nickname was "Chee" and using part of Carl's first name, they renamed the resort Cheeca Lodge. The Twitchell's pumped $3M into the resort including a 9-hole executive golf course. The grand opening of Cheeca Lodge and its new golf course was November 16, 1962.

It is unknown who designed the original Cheeca Lodge Golf Course that opened in 1962. Based on an aerial from 1964, the 1962 Cheeca Lodge Golf Course's layout and scorecard is estimated to be:



The resort was purchased in 1976 by Coca-Cola magnate Carl Navarre, and it is my best guess that he hired Nicklaus Design (Jack Nicklaus) to do a revision on the golf course and it is estimated that the revision was complete by 1976.

In November 1988, the resort was re-opened after a 18 month renovation and recalled the Cheeca Lodge & Spa.


Duck Key Golf Course


Info

Duck Key Golf Course
Closed - 9 Holes Executive
61 Hawks Cay Blvd.
Marathon, Florida
Monroe County
33050
Website


Logo

Pictured below is a logo used by Indies House, the resort which ran the Duck Key Golf Course.




Award for Best Picture

1967 aerial from DuckKeyOnline.com



Notes

The visionary of the Duck Key Golf Course was Bryan Newkirk.

There was was only 1 unique layout of the golf course.

January 15, 1960-1986: Duck Key Golf Course - 9 holes, par 27, 1233 yards (estimated), designed by Robert Trent Jones.


Course Area




Estimated Layout and Scorecard

Working off an 1970 aerial, I was able to establish the following estimation of the Duck Key Golf Course.




Street View of Resort & Community Entrance




Google Maps




Bing Maps



History

Bryan Newkirk purchased Duck Key in 1951 and began to convert the 400 acres into a resort community. Duck Key became a group of 5 small islands connected with US 1 by a short causeway. Amongst the construction, was a 9-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. January 15, 1960 was the premiere opening of Indies House and thus the grand opening of the Duck Key Golf Course.

In March, 1960, the course was described as a 9 hole, long iron golf course. On September 9, 1960, Hurricane Donna caused extensive damage to Duck Key and the Indies House resort. The resort was closed until December. Here is an aerial photo from 1960 showing the Indies House resort and part of the golf course behind it.

DuckKeyOnline.com


Bryan Newkirk sold Duck Key in 1961 and there were several owners along the way.

In May, 1961, the course is described as a 9-hole par-3 course with 4 of its' fairways bordering Tom's Harbour.

In 1964, Indies House was under the management of Jack Tar and here is the cover of its brochure showing golf as one of its main amenities.

DuckKeyOnline.com


Here is a postcard with an aerial view from 1970 showing holes 1 & 2 of the golf course. At this time the resort was known as Indies Inn & Yacht Club:

Ebay.com


Here is a picture by Johnson from 1970 showing the 9th green:



The following aerial picture was taken by Tom McLendon in 1977 shows part of the golf course:



On June 15, 1983, Indies Resort & Marina was sold to Duck Key Club Corporation for $10.5M, which closed the resort for several months. It re-opened as Hawk's Cay Resort in January, 1984.

As part of a resort expansion in 1986, the golf course was removed.