Miami Beach Golf Club
Like its course, the Miami Beach Golf Club’s history is full of doglegs. As part of the Alton Beach subdivision planned by Carl Fisher, the nearby Bayshore Golf Course first opened in 1923 as a luxurious winter getaway for affluent northern residents. During World War II, the U.S. Army rented the course for $1 a year and used it as a training outpost, providing ample space for soldiers to practice their tactical moves between the palm trees.
It is not often that the world’s leading golfer is the first to make the round of a new golf course, but the new Bay Shore course gained that distinction in November 1922, when Gene Sarazen played the full 18 holes. 1923 marked the official opening of the golf course. When Chicago investors sought to buy the land for 650 homes in 1944, the course was almost destroyed. However, golf-loving neighbors convinced the city to purchase the land and preserve it. In 1954, the ornate, Mediterranean clubhouse that Fisher had built on the course was replaced by a new one.
In 2003, the golf course in the historic South Beach community was completely renovated for $10 million, removing many trees and grasses, redesigning water features for better drainage and challenge, resculpting bunkers and hills, adding a practice facility, razing the old clubhouse and building a new Art Deco one. Miami Beach Golf Club became the result of this massive transformation. For the latest and most extensive transformation, the City of Miami Beach hired Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates. The result is a beautifully restored landmark that will be enjoyed by South Florida residents aThe once tired and under-utilized Bayshore has now become the elegant and highly regarded Miami Beach Golf Club.nd visitors from around the world for years to come.
Known as one of the must-play courses in the area, Miami Beach Golf Club is pristine and beautiful. Due to its slightly more movement than the north-south routing, Miami Beach typically demands crosswind shots from players. The greens are slightly larger but you may find them more elusive than expected and they’re mostly elevated, with fronting mounds and bunkers that can make it hard to see the putting surface from the landing area. The uncertainty of this breed makes approach shots tricky. The 18 holes of this par-72 course are lined with native palm trees and water features. The lush space is covered in blue-green paspalum grass, known to be a highly versatile species of turfgrass that keeps its bright hue and is ecologically friendly. The course builds to a challenging conclusion. Miami Beach’s three final holes are its most notable.
The 17th, which is considered a true signature hole by the members and the marketing department alike, the par-3 seventeenth is a stunning, highly-photogenic charmer at Miami Beach Golf Club. It plays at 183 yards from the back tees, but has five teeing areas for maximum enjoyment in all kinds of conditions. The 17th green itself is fairly large, but it can be tricky to hold with long iron or wood approach shots. There is also the 16th hole which is a beautiful and fun, short par four. The player can survey the options from the tee complex that overlooks one of the largest lakes on the property. While the 18th, which is the final hole at Miami Beach Golf Club provides a classic, strategic finish as it works its way back to the inviting clubhouse terrace. Rebuilt with traditional principles at the forefront, the hole has that “Old Florida” look and feels that is admired by many.
In 2011, the Inaugural South Beach International Amateur was played the week before Christmas at Normandy Shores and Miami Beach Golf Clubs, becoming the highest-ranked inaugural amateur tournament since rankings were introduced. Unites States Amateur Champion and Current PGA TOUR player Kelly Kraft wins the 72-hole event with a 4 under the total. Move forward to 2012 and the South Beach International Amateur has for 7 straight years been considered a major amateur event always ranking between the 5th and 8th ranked field in the world. This places the SBIA right behind the United States Amateur, British Amateur, Western Amateur, and NCAA Division 1 Championship. Yearly the SBIA has one of the best and largest international fields in the world with 28 or more countries represented.
The Miami Beach Golf Club also features a full-service restaurant, a fully stocked pro shop, and individual lessons taught by golf pros. Players may think that the par 72 courses are made for long hitters, but no need to worry, many holes are dogleg designs that let players bite off a good portion of the distance with good tee shots. Greens are well-bunkered and elevated. While the gameplay may ease up after the first hole, it picks back up again in the last three, the most notable cluster of the course.
After the redesign, the grass was replaced, the lake was drained, and a new clubhouse was built. The once worn-out and under-utilized Bayshore has become the luxurious and highly perceived Miami Beach Golf Club. This Golf Club even offers practice areas for pitching and chipping, a putting green, a driving range, and golf lessons. Amenities include locker rooms, shower facilities, changing rooms, and a Pro shop. The club also provides snacks, catering, a restaurant, and on-course beverage carts.
Moreover, it is the premier venue to host your next corporate golf outing or tournament. Get ready to be challenged with the exceptional layout, picturesque views of Biscayne Bay and Miami’s beautiful skyline, and friendly service. Whether you are looking for a great golf outing or just to break par, Miami Beach Golf Club will do its best to meet your needs. So come on down and experience why so many consider this place one of South Florida’s most elegant courses. Let Miami Beach Golf Club show you what it means to play “Golf Like No Other”.
And now that you know more about the history and features of Miami Beach Golf Club, it’s time for you to tee off and enjoy yourself. With superior course design, professional services available at the clubhouse, stunning views of the city, and much more, it is the perfect place to relax, have fun, and practice your golf game. So don’t wait any longer come play one of South Florida’s most beautiful courses today.