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.
Ocala Golf Club
History
The Ocala Golf Club is located in the City of Ocala in Marion County.The city of Ocala has a long history and strong ties with 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 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. The City of Ocala purchased the golf course in the mid-1940s 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 consisted of new greens, tees, bunkers, irrigation, cart paths and selective tree removal. According to Beebe, “our goal was to re-capture the classical look and strategic principles that had been lost over the years while utilizing improved technologies in turf grass, green construction, drainage and irrigation.” The club also re-introduced short grass around the greens to add interest to the short game.
Newspaper article crediting E. Ellsworth Giles as the golf course architect
1940 Aerial of Ocala Golf Club
Vintage postcard of the Ocala Highlands clubhouse
Vintage postcard of the Ocala Golf Club c1950s
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 expansive clubhouse includes a fully-stocked Golf Shop, grill room dining and banquet area, making Ocala a natural setting for corporate outings, meetings and other social events.
3rd hole at Ocala Golf Club
4th hole at Ocala Golf Club
17th hole at Ocala Golf Club
18th hole at Ocala Golf Club
Local Knowledge
The Florida State Golf Association’s (FSGA) Florida State Amateur tournament trophy is named after Ocala’s own, Clarence Camp. Camp was a founding member and the first president of the FSGA in 1913.
Clarence Camp trophy
Clarence Camp trophy
Clarence Camp trophy and list of previous winners
Inside the Leather
Silver Springs State Park - Silver Springs State Park combines the charm of a historic Florida attraction with the crystal clear beauty of one of the last uninhabited spring runs in the state. In the 1820s, the springs became a tourist attraction for adventurous visitors who poled their way along the narrow stream through overhanging cypress and Spanish moss. With the invention of paddlewheel boat, Silver River and Springs became a distribution center for Central Florida. Plantations growing vegetables, tobacco and oranges sprang up along the banks as nearby Ocala grew. In the late 1870s, Phillip Morrell fixed a piece of glass in the bottom of a rowboat and a new enterprise began. Silver River's glass-bottom boat tours have been world famous for more than over 100 years. Visit Silver Springs State Park for more details.
Silver Springs 1886
Silver Springs State Park Aerial
Silver Springs State Park
Glass Bottom Boat at Silver Springs State Park
Visit - Contact
Ocala Golf Club
3130 N.E. Silver Springs Boulevard
Ocala, Florida 34470
3130 N.E. Silver Springs Boulevard
Ocala, Florida 34470
View the Website
Phone:
352.401.6917