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.
Suwannee Country Club
History
The Suwannee Country Club is located in the City of Live Oak in Suwannee County.
On July 2, 1924, the Live Oak Golf and Country Club was organized for the purpose of building a golf course and clubhouse. A 140-acre site was chosen several miles east of town. A few months later while in town for a Rotary meeting, Ned McKenna along with C. Robinson were invited to inspect the property. McKenna and Robinson declared that in all their experiences they had not seen a better situation combining the location, the topography, the soil, the people, and the adequate funds to make this a successful project.
At the time, McKenna was the golf professional at the Florida Country Club in Jacksonville. He had recently been the professional at the Tallahassee Country Club (Capital City Country Club). Robinson was the golf course superintendent at the Jacksonville Municipal Golf Course (Brentwood Golf Course).
In 1925, McKenna was asked to lay out the golf course and made several visits to Live Oak to inspect the work. Construction of the golf course was under the direction of H. Moran of Waycross, Georgia. Moran was known as an experienced builder who had a number of good courses to his credit. That same year the club hired Sid Baxter from Jacksonville as their first golf professional. Baxter was also a noted club maker.
The 9-hole golf course was officially dedicated in 1926, with former Florida Governor Cary Hardee, serving as the club’s first president.
Golf and Country Club Organized
Golfers at Suwannee Country Club in 1926
Description of Golf Club and Course in 1926
1949 Aerial of Suwannee Country Club
Today
The Suwannee Country Club includes a 9-hole, par-36 golf course featuring four sets of tees playing from 4,600 to 6,300 yards. Highlights of the golf course include the elevation changes and the distinctive undulations of the greens. The Club is semi-private, but open to the public with weekday and weekend rates. Amenities include a driving range, banquet hall with full kitchen, and access to White Lake.
Current Aerial of Suwannee Country Club
1st Green at Suwannee Country Club
2nd Green at Suwannee Country Club
6th Hole at Suwannee Country Club
7th Hole at Suwannee Country Club
9th Hole at Suwannee Country Club
9-Hole Layout of Suwannee Country Club
Local Knowledge
Former Florida Governor Cary A. Hardee, who served as the club’s first president made a hole-in-one on the 5th hole, while playing with a party of friends in 1928. Governor Hardee was Florida’s twenty-third governor and served from January 4, 1921 to January 6, 1925.
Cary Hardee was born in Taylor County on November 13, 1876. Educated in Florida's public schools, he was a teacher until 1900, when he was admitted to the bar and began to practice law in Live Oak. Before becoming governor in 1921, Hardee served as State's Attorney, a member of the Florida House of Representatives, and speaker of the House. Although a lawyer, Hardee was better known in later years as a banker in Live Oak. He was defeated in 1932 for the Democratic nomination for governor and died in Live Oak on November 21, 1957.
Today, the short but difficult par-3, plays to a yardage of 134 yards. A mid-to-short iron for most, the difficulty lies in the small undulating green, and the oak tree just left of the green. To make birdie, an accurate iron shot and a great putt is required.
Since the Former Governor’s ace, there have been many more hole-in-ones at the 5th hole and in 2011, the 5th green was the setting of a marriage proposal!
Former Governor Hardee's Hole-in-One
Former Florida Governor Cary A. Hardee
5th Hole at Suwannee Country Club
Eric W. with a Hole-in-One on the 5th Hole in 2015
Inside the Leather
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park - Situated on the banks of the legendary Suwannee River, this center honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster, who wrote "Old Folks at Home," the song that made the river famous. The museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs and his music can be heard emanating from the park's 97-bell carillon throughout the day. In Craft Square, visitors can watch demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing, stained glass making, and other crafts, or visit the gift shop. Hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are popular activities. Miles of trails wind through some of the most scenic areas of North Florida. For overnight stays, visitors can camp in the full-facility campground or stay in a cabin. Every Memorial Day weekend (the last weekend in May), the park hosts the Florida Folk Festival, one of the oldest State folk festivals in the nation. Other special events include concerts, weekend retreats, a monthly coffeehouse, a regional quilt show, and an antique tractor show. The park is located in White Springs off U.S. 41 North. Visit Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park for more details.
Map of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Carillon Tower at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Cabins at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Kayaking on the Suwannee River and Spring House at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Crafts in Crafts Square at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Annual Florida Folk Festival at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Visit - Contact
Suwannee Country Club
7932 US 90
Live Oak, Florida 32064
7932 US 90
Live Oak, Florida 32064
View the Website
Phone:
386.362.1147