Golfer’s Guide South Florida Golf Courses Stories

By South Florida standards descriptions of the weather that day ranged from bitter to balmy, after all it was December 1. As the first golfers to play then public Fort Lauderdale Country Club trotted toward the No. 1 tee box on that morning in 1926 toting their best persimmon woods, clad in old-fashioned caps, with socks tucked into their trousers and perhaps sporting formal jackets (a tradition that was phased out in the second quarter of the 20th century), they were met by marshals manning a tent where green fees were collected and golf supplies sold.

With the facility’s Spanish missionstyle clubhouse still under construction as the original 18-hole North Course opened, this pedestrian set-up was required to check golfers in and usher them on their way. The enthusiasm and excitement of that historic day is still present at Fort Lauderdale Country Club, but the golf course grounds and surrounding amenities have undergone a extensive amount of beautification and enhancement.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - On a perfect getaway, guests would be surrounded by luxury and emerald greens, all the golf courses would carry the quality signature of The PGA of America and every day would dawn with the promise of tropical pleasures.

At Castle Pines Golf Villas, you'll stay and play in the heart of The PGA Village Port St Lucie. All units are tastefully decorated, and offer every amenity necessary, just bring your golf clubs and you are ready for fun in the sun. Choose from a wide range of course-side accommodations with all the comforts of home and then some: deluxe guest rooms, golf villas and even town homes. Call (877) 323-2223 to book your next golf vacation with Castle Pines Golf Villas.

Recently reopened in 2007, the “New West Course” at Jacaranda is acclaimed as a genial compliment to the challenges presented by the recently restored East Course. The $10-million spent to upgrade Jacaranda’s New Jacaranda Golf Club - East Course and Jacaranda Golf Club - West Courses set an extraordinary benchmark for golf course design.

The addition of Sea-Dwarf Paspalum grass to the tees and fairways has given an entirely new look to one of South Florida’s foremost golfing experiences. Over the past two summers Jacaranda has created “living works of landscape art” while retaining the playability of championship golf. Luxurious new Tif-Dwarf putting surfaces, tightly manicured collection areas, plush emerald green fairways, and bunkering have been added, designed in such a natural way that risk/reward golf has never looked so enticing. Both the par-71 East and the par-72 West have 5 sets of tees measuring from 4,923 to 7,247 yards. The goal Scratch Golf achieved was to create course design where every level of golfer is faced with appropriate challenges that make this game so intriguing. Many who have played Jacaranda since the renovations have commented “It’s a brand new course but it still feels like home.”