New Smyrna Golf Club Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the New Smyrna Golf Club in Volusia County has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of September.

“We are pleased to feature the New Smyrna Golf Club as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “With its beautiful location near the Atlantic coast and the design expertise of Donald Ross and Associates, the New Smyrna Golf Club has provided an exciting golf experience for nearly 70 years.”

Image Courtesy of New Smyrna Golf Club

 In 1948, W. Tydings gave the city 150 acres of land with the stipulations that it be used for a golf course and be built within 10 years or Tydings would regain ownership of the land. James B. McGovern, a longtime design associate of Donald Ross, visited the site on behalf of Ross and secured the hiring of Donald Ross and Associates. Ground breaking and construction began later that year.

Nine holes were opened in early 1949, but then due to a dispute over title to part of the land, work on the back nine was halted. Four more holes finally opened in 1953, which was a year after McGovern’s death. The remaining five holes (the present third through seventh) were completed in 1956 and put into play the following spring.

The New Smyrna Golf Club includes an 18-hole, par-72 golf course featuring five sets of tees playing from 4,700 to 6,500 yards. With easy access to the beautiful Atlantic coast and many more of Florida's most popular attractions, New Smyrna Golf Club is a haven for local and visiting golfers alike.

“The New Smyrna Golf Club is very honored to be selected as the Florida Historic Golf Trail’s featured course for September 2018,” says Gary Wintz, General Manager. “In 2006, the golf course was completely renovated and in 2016 the greens were planted with platinum paspalum grass making the course one of the best conditioned in the area.”

For more information about the New Smyrna Golf Club, visit newsmyrnagolfclub.com. To learn more about the Florida Historic Golf Trail, visit floridahistoricgolftrail.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.

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About The Florida Historic Golf Trail

Florida's golf history, recognized as one of the oldest in the nation, dates back to the late 1800s when a number of early courses were created along with the development of railroads and hotels in the state. The Florida Historic Golf Trail is a collection of more than 50 historic, publicly accessible golf courses throughout the state that can still be played on today. Through the Florida Historic Golf Trail, golfers can play on courses designed by world-class architects and played by famous golfers such as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Babe Zaharias, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Information about the history and current day contact information for each partner course can be found at FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.com. Find the historic course near you and Come Play on History!

About The Division of Historical Resources

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state's traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division Director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information visit flheritage.com.