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.

Daytona Beach Golf Club - South Course

History

The Daytona Beach Golf Club – South Course is located in the City of Daytona Beach in Volusia County. In 1919, the newly formed Daytona Golf and Country Club hired renowned golf course architect Donald Ross to design an 18-hole golf course. One of Ross’ assistants Walter B. Hatch personally supervised the construction with assistance from the club’s president, Carl H. Knappe. After eighteen months of preparation and hard labor, the first nine holes of the course were opened in late 1920 and formally opened in January 1921. The completed 18-hole golf course opened in early 1923 with a par of 75 and stretched out to over 6,200 yards. The club’s golf professional, Capt. Charles Clarke organized an opening day tournament with over 100 golfers participating.

The club remained private until 1943 when the city of Daytona Beach purchased the golf course for $35,000 from H.E. Young. The following year, the City hired Donald Ross to redesign the course. Ross came to Daytona Beach in September 1944 and worked with H.K. Sturdy, the golf club’s greens committee chairman. Sturdy noted that not all Ross’s original plans were carried out back in the 1920s. A new drainage system was installed, and every green were reportedly raised from two to eight feet. The newly renovated course opened in 1945.

Later that year, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Harold “Jug” McSpaden played in an exhibition match to open the course for the winter golf season. The big three (Snead, Nelson, and Hogan) came back to Daytona Beach Golf Club the next year with Jimmy Demaret and played in another exhibition match. Demaret won the match with a 63.

In 1947, the course hosted the prestigious Florida Amateur Golf Tournament with University of Florida sophomore, Vasco Landrum beating defending champion Jim Lee of Tallahassee 6 and 5 in the 36 hole finals match.

Local Golf Course is Completed - Donald Ross

New Eighteen Hole Golf Course Opens

Daytona Golf and Country Club

1931 Daytona Beach Golf and Country Club

18th Hole at the Daytona Beach Golf Club in 1932

1935 Scorecard for Daytona Beach Golf Club

Daytona Beach Golf Club Aerial - February 2, 1943

Donald Ross Back in Daytona Beach to Redesign Golf Course - 1944

1946 Scorecard for Snead, Nelson, Hogan, and Demaret

1947 Florida Amateur Finals at Daytona Beach Golf Club

Today

The 18-hole, par-71 South Course at the Daytona Beach Golf Club features four sets of tees playing from 3,800 to 6,200 yards. The course still follows most of the original routing laid out by Donald Ross and winds through dense areas of live oak and pine trees. Railroad tracks run through the course along the 4^th, 13^th and 14^th holes. With few water hazards, tee shots can be very forgiving, but approaches are demanding if players want to get close to the flag stick on the greens.

Daytona Beach Golf Club - South Couse Layout

Daytona Beach Golf Club Sign

Looking From 1st Tee to 10th Tee and 9th Green

8th Green at Daytona Beach Golf Club

Train Passing the 14th Tee at Daytona Beach Golf Club

15th Green at Daytona Beach Golf Club

Scorecard for Daytona Beach Golf Club South Course

Local Knowledge

The 4^th hole is the hardest hole on the course from the Blue and White tees. This par-5 stretches out 500 yards from the back tee and passing trains are common hazards. Florida East Coast railroad runs along the entire length of the left side of the fairway and comes into play on the 13^th and 14^th holes.

The green for the 4^th hole is on the south side of Wilder Boulevard, however, the original green was located on the north side of Wilder Boulevard. Today, the old green complex is still in use as a practice green for chipping, bunker shots and putting.

4th Hole - Old Green and Current Green

Train Passing the Tees at the 4th Hole

Old 4th Green Looking North

Old 4th Green Looking East

Inside the Leather

Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach has become synonymous worldwide with automotive racing. For decades, the wide, hard-packed sands of “The World’s Most Famous Beach” were the scene of early speed trials. Local mechanic and racing enthusiast Bill France, entered the first stock car race held on the sands of the Daytona Beach Road Course in March of 1936 - and finished fifth. You can still drive (not race) on the 4.1-mile road/beach course near Ponce Inlet.

It was the beginning of an era. In 1953, he established Bill France Racing, Inc., and by November, 1957, he had signed the contract to secure land for construction of the Daytona International Speedway. Four years later, the first “Daytona 500” was run on February 22, 1959. Today, Daytona Beach is the home of the world's most diverse racing facility, recognized internationally as the "World Center of Racing."

The Daytona International Speedway Tours range from 30 minutes to three hours and includes admission to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. This is an experience to remember for any race fan. Visit Daytona International Speedway Tours for more details.

Daytona Beach and Road Course 1955

North Turn of the Daytona Beach and Road Course - 1953

Daytona International Speedway Tours

Inside the Motorsports Hall of Fame

Visit - Contact

Daytona Beach Golf Club - South Course

600 Wilder Boulevard
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114

600 Wilder Boulevard
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114

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Phone: 386.671.3500