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.
Granada Golf Course
History
The Granada Golf Course is located in the City of Coral Gables in Miami-Dade County.
George E. Merrick, a visionary developer who by early 1920s had amassed 3,000 acres of undeveloped land on the outskirts of Miami, set out to create a planned community he called “The City Beautiful” – Coral Gables.”
Merrick hired the golf course architectural firm of William Langford and Theodore Moreau of Chicago to design the course in 1921. Langford and Moreau produced several routing plans, including one that had four holes south of Coral Way. Once the final routing was chosen, work began under the personal supervision of William Langford.
The golf course was built for the residents of Coral Gables and interest in the game had become very popular. Granada’s first golf professional, Charlie Thum, who also worked at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, gave golf lesson to the residents on the course before it was finished.
On January 15, 1923, the headlines from the Miami News read “FORE! The Coral Gables Golf Course Opens Today.” The Granada golf course opened with grass greens, a par of 35 and stretched out to just over 3,000 yards. Greens fees were only $1.00 per day. The opening match was played between Charlie Thom and C. Blair Woodrow against Jock Kennedy and E.T. Purcell. The best ball match was won by Thom and Woodrow.
In November 2015, Coral Gables City Commissioner Patricia Keon hit the first tee shot after a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the re-opening of the Granada Golf Course following months of extensive renovations to the greens, tees and fairways. PGA Hall of Famer Bob Toski and PGA Tour Golfer Erik Compton provided a free golf clinic.
Original Yardage for the Langford and Moreau Golf Course
FORE! The Coral Gables Golf Course Opens Today
Golfers on the 2nd Hole - 1924
Gene Sarazen Teeing Off at Granada in 1924
Granada Golf Professional Charles Thom Teeing Off - c1920s
Golf Professional Charles Thom (holding flag) with George E. Merrick (white pants and hat) on the right Watching Match . c1920s
Granada Golf Course with the Alhambra Water Tower in the Distance c1920s
Coral Gables Commissioner Patricia Keon Teeing Off After Ribbon Cutting in 2015
Today
The 9-hole, par-36, Granada Golf Course features four sets of tees playing from 1,600 to 3,000 yards. It is one of the oldest continuously operating 9-hole golf courses in Florida. Owned and operated by the City of Coral Gables, Granada Golf Course has a fully-stocked pro shop, locker rooms, handcart rental, golf cart rental and restaurant. A talented staff of golf professionals is available for a variety of lesson formats that include private, group, junior lessons and specialty shot classes. Granada Golf Course has A perfect place for residents, visitors and beginners alike.
1st Hole at Granada Golf Course
4th Hole at Granada Golf Course
7th Hole at Granada Golf Course with Alhambra Water Tower
8th Hole at Granada Golf Course with Alhambra Water Tower
Aerial of Granada Golf Course
Granada Golf Course Scorecard - Outside
Granada Golf Course Scorecard - Inside
Local Knowledge
Born in Montrose, Scotland, Granada’s first golf professional was Charlie Thom came to the United States in 1898 as part of the great migration of Scottish professionals to this country. Like many golf professionals at the time, Thom was employed at two golf clubs throughout the year. In the spring and summer, he would be at the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, New York and during the winter months he would come down to Florida and work.
Before George Merrick hired Thom to work at Granada, he was the winter professional at the Miami Country Club for 12 years. In 1923, Charlie brought in his cousin, James “Jim“ Thom from New Zealand and Bob Brown to assist as professionals.
Outside Burger Bob's Restaurant
Inside Burger Bob's Restaurant
Inside the Leather
The Venetian Pool - The historic pool is an aquatic facility unlike any other in the country. It has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, and is still one of the main tourist attractions for those visiting the City of Coral Gables. The pool was created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry. The limestone taken from this quarry pit was used to create some of the original neighboring buildings, and to border and enhance the pool. Two large historic lookout towers provide a view of the” City Beautiful”. The 820,000 gallon pool is fed with spring water from an underground aquifer. In the spring and summer seasons, the pool is filled and drained daily. Two waterfalls provide a scenic backdrop, while the cave-like grottos provide a fun experience for swimmers. Loggias, porticos, palm trees and the signature bridge further accentuate the Venetian Pool’s beauty. Visit Venetian Pool for more details.
Venetian Pool Under Construction in 1923
Venetian Pool Vintage Postcard
Venetian Pool
Venetian Pool
Venetian Pool
Visit - Contact
Granada Golf Course
2001 Granada Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
2001 Granada Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
View the Website
Phone:
305.460.5364