Featured Golf Course
In this section learn more about the history of the course and its hometown, see a selection of historic and current images of the course, learn about what the course is like today, and discover nearby historic sites.
Florida Caverns Golf Club
History
The Florida Caverns Golf Club is located on the grounds of the Florida Caverns State Park near the City of Marianna in Jackson County. In February 1938, State Forester and Park Executive Harry Lee Baker brought in golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. who, upon inspection, indicated he was pleased with the location in the state park. In August of 1938, $50,000 was approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the construction of an 18-hole golf course on property adjoining the newly constructed Florida Caverns State Park.
The State provided an additional $48,700 bring the project to Marianna, at no cost to the city’s citizens. When work began on the golf course later that year, news reports credit Arthur Ham with the design. Ham reportedly worked for the legendary golf course architect, Donald Ross. Nearly 100 Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers were hired for ten months to complete the Florida Caverns Golf Club. Nine holes were opened by March of 1939, and the entire course opened by July of that year. By the late 1940s, nine holes were abandoned for unknown reasons.
Robert Trent Jones Visits Park and Golf Course Site
$98,700 Golf Course Project Approved for Marianna Approved by President
Work Begins on Golf Course - Arthur Ham is Architect for the Course
1940 Aerial of the Florida Caverns Golf Course
1947 Photograph of the 3rd Green (old 6th) at the Florida Caverns Golf Course
c1948 Photograph of the 4th Hole (old 7th) at the Florida Caverns Golf Course
c1948 Photograph of the 6th Hole (old 9th) at the Florida Caverns Golf Course
c1948 Photograph at the Florida Caverns Golf Course
1948 Aerial of the Florida Caverns Golf Course
Today
***CURRENTLY CLOSED***
The 9-hole, par-36 Florida Caverns Golf Club features five sets of tees playing from 4,800 to 6,400 yards, set in beautiful rolling terrain.
Layout of the Florida Caverns Golf Course
1st Hole at the Florida Caverns Golf Club
2nd Hole at the Florida Caverns Golf Club
6th Green (Left) and 7th Tee (Right) at the Florida Caverns Golf Club
7th Green at the Florida Caverns Golf Club
9th Hole at the Florida Caverns Golf Club
Local Knowledge
“The course, to be the most beautiful and naturally-located of its kind in the section, will overshadow any other golf course nearer than Atlanta.” Reported the Jackson County Floridian on August 19, 1938. When the Florida Caverns golf course opened in 1939 it was filled with strategically placed greenside, fairway and cross bunkers, that added to the beauty of the course.
The course had two bunkers of particular interest, the current 5th hole (old 8th) had a large fairway bunker reportedly 5,000 square feet! The 7th hole (old 1st) had a bunker 200 yards down the fairway that was shaped like the State of Florida!
c1948 Photograph of the 5th Hole (old 8th) at the Florida Caverns State Park
1948 and 1955 Aerial of the 5th Hole at the Florida Caverns Golf Course
Postcard of the 7th Hole (old 1st) of the Florida Caverns Golf Course
Inside the Leather
Florida Caverns State Park - This is one of the few state parks with dry (air-filled) caves and is the only state park in Florida to offer cave tours to the public. The cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. The Chipola River and a freshwater spring provide areas for fishing, canoeing and boating. Florida Caverns State Park is popular for camping, picnicking and horseback riding. The park does not rent horses, however stables are available for equestrian campers.
Guided cave tours are offered Thursday through Monday, except Thanksgiving and Christmas (no cave tours on Tuesday and Wednesday). The tour lasts 35 to 40 minutes and is considered to be moderately strenuous. An audiovisual program about touring the cave and other natural areas of the park is available in the visitor center. Visit Florida Caverns State Park for more details.
Visitors Center at the Florida Caverns State Park
Civilian Conservation Corps Statue at the Florida caverns State Park
Stalactites and Stalagmites Courtesy of the Florida Caverns State Park
Wedding Room Cave at the Florida Caverns State Park
Wedding Cake at the Florida Caverns State Park
Map of the Florida Caverns State Park
Visit - Contact
Florida Caverns Golf Club
3345 Caverns Road
Marianna, Florida 32446
3345 Caverns Road
Marianna, Florida 32446
View the Website
Phone:
850.526.1148