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.

Rogers Park Golf Course

History

The Rogers Park Golf Course is located in the City of Tampa in Hillsborough County.

During the segregation era, the property that is now home to Rogers Park Golf Course was an African American community park in Tampa. After church on Sundays, many families would spend the day on the swings, slides, baseball field and picnic area. The park is named after African American businessman and philanthropist Garfield Devoe Rogers who donated the land to the City of Tampa for a park and golf course. The park was dedicated in 1951.

That same year, Tampa Mayor Curtis Hixon gave permission to a group of African American caddies, who worked at Palma Ceia Country Club to build a 9-hole golf course at Rogers Park. The work was led by Willie Black, originally from Albany, Georgia, who had previously helped build several golf courses in Georgia. Black directed a group of volunteers to remove trees and shape the land by hand. Work on the 9-hole course was completed in 1952 and Willie Black became the first Head Golf Professional at the course.

In 1961, the course was expanded to 18 holes when an additional 9 holes were constructed on an adjacent parcel of property to the west of the park. After the golf course was desegregated in 1963, it became a golfing destination for amateur and professional golfers throughout the nation.

“We have the finest race relations here of any municipal course in the United States” stated Willie Black in 1966.

In 1976, the City of Tampa gave management rights to the newly formed Tampa Sports Authority, and a $400,000 renovation project began with Ron Garl as the designer. In 2000, the Tampa Sports Authority decided that a $4 million renovation was needed. Holes were reshaped and landscaping features were added to enhance the character of Rogers Park Golf Course. In 2001 a new maintenance compound was completed, followed by a new clubhouse in 2002.

In November 2014, the original Rogers Park Golf Course site became the fourth golf course in Florida to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

G. D. Rogers Park Dedicated

Willie Black and John Everhart at Rogers Park in 1952

Willie Black and Caddies at Rogers Park Golf Course

Rogers Park Golf Course Expands from 9 to 18 Holes

Rogers Park Golf Course Integration

1968 Aerial of Rogers Park Golf Course

Willie Black Giving Golf Lessons at Rogers Park Golf Course

Redesign Plans of Rogers Park Golf Course by Ron Garl

Today

Today, the 18-hole, par 71 Rogers Park Golf Course features five sets of tees playing from 5,000 to 6,800 yards. Located only 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, the 160-acre golf facility. The practice facility at Rogers Park includes a state-of-the-art Toptracer Range to enhance the overall experience for golfers of all skill levels. Rogers Park is also home to the First Tee of Tampa Bay.

Rogers Park Golf Course Current Aerial

6th Hole at Rogers Park Golf Course

13th Hole at Rogers Park Golf Course

14th Hole at Rogers Park Golf Course

The First Tee of Tampa Bay

Rogers Park Golf Course Layout

Rogers Park Golf Course Scorecard

Local Knowledge

In addition to the practice facility, Rogers Park features a nine-hole short course located between the 12th, 13th and 16th holes. This was a collaboration between the City of Tampa, the Tampa Sports Authority, the Tampa YMCA and First Tee – Tampa Bay. golf course architect Steve Smyers and PGA TOUR professional Gary Koch volunteered their time and services to design the Short Course. At 751 yards, the par 27 course is a fun and challenging experience for golfers of all levels.

Location of Short Game Practice Area at Rogers Park Golf Course

Inside the Leather

Tampa and Baseball – From the Chicago Cubs to the Smokers and the Giants and the Tarpons, the city of Tampa has a long history with professional baseball. In 1913, the Chicago Cubs moved their spring training site to the city of Tampa. In 1919, Tampa fielded a minor league team called the Smokers, in honor to the local cigar industry. Tampa also had a semi-professional team in the Florida State Negro League, the Tampa Giants later named the Pepsi-Cola Giants. The team was comprised of African Americans and Afro-Cuban players. And from 1946 – 1951, Tampa’s own Senaida “Shoo Shoo” Wirth played shortstop and pitcher for the South Bend Blue Stockings in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League.

To honor the legacy of Tampa’s baseball heritage a museum is being developed. The Tampa Baseball Museum will cover more than 130 years of Tampa's baseball history and be a place to celebrate the Tampa Bay area's rich baseball history with memorabilia and exhibits. The museum building was once the childhood home of Al López, Tampa's first Major League player, manager, and Hall of Fame inductee. Visit Tampa Baseball Museum for more details.

Today, Tampa is home to the Tampa Tarpons, a Minor League Baseball team that is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Visit Tampa Tarpons for more details and a schedule of upcoming home games.