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.
Clearwater Country Club
History
The Clearwater Country Club is located in downtown Clearwater in Pinellas County. In March 1920, city officials unanimously approved a proposed bond issue for the construction of a golf course and selected a site. A few weeks later, British golf course architect Herbert Strong arrived in Clearwater to begin to work on the plans and drawings for the proposed golf course. In April 1920, Clearwater residents voted overwhelmingly to fund a golf course for the city and work began soon after. The golf course property was bisected by a railroad and creek which ran through the entire property. Strong’s design worked around the railroad and he incorporated Stevenson Creek into design features on several holes.
After a year of construction, nine holes were officially opened. On Jan 26, 1921, Mrs. Daniel Simonds, who contributed money for the new clubhouse, hit the first shot, a nice drive down the fairway beyond the first bunker. The second ball was hit by the Mayor of Clearwater. Two years later, the completed 18-hole golf course was opened and ready for play.
In 1940, one of the nation’s best-known golf course architect, Perry Maxwell was hired by Clearwater Country Club to work on the course. Some of Maxwell’s best original designs are Dornick Hills Golf and Country Club and Southern Hills Country Club in Oklahoma, Prairie Dunes in Kansas and Old Town Club in North Carolina. Perry, along with his son Press Maxwell stayed in Clearwater while they worked on the remodeling and streamlining of seven greens on the golf course. After completing their work, Perry stated, “The course is now one of the sportiest layouts in the south” and went on to state “which won’t cause the duffers to cheer when they see how accurate their approaches must be to avoid trap trouble.”
Golf Course Architect Herbert Strong Working on Clearwater Municipal Golf Links
Opening of the Clearwater Country Club
1923 Postcard of the 8th Hole at Clearwater Country Club
Stevenson Creek Around Green at Clearwater Country Club
Golf Instructor Louis Chiapetta Hitting Tee Shot on the 1st Tee – 1926
Looking East at the 9th and 18th Green From Rooftop of Clubhouse – 1926
Golf Tournament at Clearwater Country Club on July 22, 1927
Clearwater Country Club Scorecard c1929
Baseball Legend Babe Ruth Playing at Clearwater Country Club in 1929
Female Golfers Teeing Off at Clearwater Country Club – 1932
Golf Architect Perry Maxwell and son Press Working on Clearwater Country Club
Clearwater Country Club Scorecard 1949
Today
The Clearwater Country Club includes an 18-hole, par-72 golf course, featuring four sets of tees playing from 5,300 to 6,200 yards, that provide a test for golfers of any skill level. The course features Bermuda greens, tees, and fairways. Your round of golf at Clearwater Country Club could be interrupted by a train! The course is bisected by the CSX Railroad which runs through the middle of the layout. In addition, Stevenson Creek runs through the entire golf course and comes in to play on several of the 18 holes.
Full practice facilities are available, as well as a fully stocked pro shop and restaurant. Clearwater Country Club strives to provide a casual and friendly atmosphere for the simple pleasures of golf, and is dedicated to offering players an experience of "Golf As It Should Be."
Images of Clearwater Country Club
Looking South Along Stevenson Creek
Forth Tee at Clearwater Country Club
Approach to 4th Green at Clearwater Country Club
Raised Green at Clearwater Country Club
Layout of Clearwater Country Club
Local Knowledge
In February 1932, during a woman’s invitation golf tournament, a golfer drove her ball into the creek at the 13th (todays 5th hole) while looking for her ball her caddy spotted a large fish swimming in the creek. C.A. Thomas, Clearwater Country Club’s assistant greens keeper was called and proceeded to take the flag pole and spear the 110 pound, 63-inch tarpon. It was believed that the tarpon came up the creek during high tide. Local newspaper article went on to say that “Fishing tackle may hereafter be included in the equipment of golfers who play on the golf links of the Clearwater Country Club.”
Tarpon Caught in Steveson Creek at Clearwater Country Club
Description of Tarpon Caught on 13th Green at Clearwater Country Club
Creek Around the 5th Green (Former 13th) at Clearwater Country Club
Inside the Leather
Clearwater Threshers Baseball - Clearwater has a long-standing association with Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies have trained in Clearwater since 1947. Before the Phillies, the city was the spring training home for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians. Clearwater was also home to the Florida State Negro Baseball League’s Clearwater Black Sox. Today, Clearwater is the home of the Phillies Class A Advanced Affiliate, Clearwater Threshers. Visit Clearwater Threshers for more details.
Old Athletic Field in Clearwater (Demolished)
Philadelphia Phillies Open Their 1947 Spring Training Camp in Clearwater
Clearwater Black Sox of the Florida State Negro Baseball League
Clearwater’s Jack Russell Stadium – Constructed in 1954 (Still in Use)
Spectrum Stadium and Current Home to Clearwater Threshers
Clearwater Threshers
Visit - Contact
Clearwater Country Club
525 North Betty Lane
Clearwater, Florida 33755
525 North Betty Lane
Clearwater, Florida 33755
View the Website
Phone:
727.461.4188