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. Ocala has played an integral role with the development of golf in Florida, dating back to the early 20th century. Ocala’s first golf course was built in the early 1900s and originally known as the Ocala Heights Golf Club.
In the 1920’s, the Pennsylvania-Florida Development Company of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania began promoting a development called Ocala Highlands. By 1925, they started constructing a clubhouse and 9-hole golf course designed by Donald McDonald of Cleveland. The Spanish Revival style clubhouse was built on the highest spot in the southeast corner of the property.
Despite financial troubles, the owners announced plans to build an 18-hole golf course and began construction in 1930. The golf course was designed and built under the personal supervision of E. Ellsworth Giles, a golf architect from Pittsburgh. Giles promoted himself not only as an architect but as a builder of golf courses. The Ocala Highlands Golf Course and Hotel formally opened in 1931. It was said that you could view twelve of the eighteen holes from the clubhouse.
After a decade of private ownership, the City of Ocala purchased the golf course in 1944. Four years later they built a new clubhouse where the current one is located. Three holes (10, 11 and 18) were altered to accommodate the 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.
Ocala's First Golf Course
Ocala Highlands Promotional
Ocala Highlands Hotel and Country Club
Ocala Highlands Clubhouse on Hill
Building New Golf Course - E Ellsworth Giles
View of Ocala Highlands Golf Course
1940 Aerial of Ocala Golf Club
Highlands Hotel Postcard - Splendid 18 Hole Golf Course
The City of Ocala Purchases Golf Course
1948 Scorecard for Ocala Golf Club
1957 Aerial of Ocala Golf Club
2017 Renovation Plan by Michael Beebe
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 Tifeagle 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. Ocala is teched-out with a Toptracer Range. Toptracer Range Mobile sends shot traces and detailed data directly to your phone. Hit a shot and get instant stats like ball speed, launch angle, carry, curve and more. The app then stores all that data so you can track progress and measure improvement.
1st Tee at Ocala Golf Club
2nd Green (Left) and 3rd Tee (Right) at Ocala Golf Club
4th Hole at Ocala Golf Club
5th Hole at Ocala Golf Club
7th Hole at Ocala Golf Club
11th Hole at Ocala Golf Club
17th Hole at Ocala Golf Club
18th Hole at Ocala Golf Club
Layout of Ocala Golf Club
Local Knowledge
Golfers from Ocala were instrumental in founding the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA). In the early 1900’s, the Camp family moved to Ocala. In 1910, Clarence Camp purchased the Ocala Heights Golf Club and renamed it to Ocala Country Club and built a new clubhouse which still stands today as a private residence.
In February1913, representatives of the golf clubs of Ocala, Sarasota, Winter Park and Orlando met in Orlando to form a state golf association. They elected Clarence Camp of Ocala as the first President of the newly formed association. Camp served as the FSGA president for 27 years and is credited with helping grow the game in the Southeast.
To honor Camp’s legacy as a founding member and the first president, the FSGA’s Florida State Amateur tournament trophy is named in his honor.
Ocala's First Golf Course with Clubhouse
State Golf Association Organized - Clarence Camp Elected President
Clarence Camp at the 1915 State Golf Championship Tournament
Clarence Camp at the 1929 State Golf Championship Tournament
Clarence Camp Trophy
2017 Winner of the 100th Florida Amateur Golf Championship Holding the Clarence Camp Trophy
Inside the Leather
Silver Springs State Park - Explore one of America’s largest and best loved springs from the park’s famous glass bottom boats and see an underwater world. 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. 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.
Photograph of Silver Springs c1886
Vintage Postcard of Silver Springs
1948 Postcard of Silver Springs
Aerial of Silver Springs and Glass-Bottom Boats
Underwater View in Silver Springs of Glass-Bottom Boat
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