Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced today that the Mayfair Country Club located in the city of Sanford in Seminole County has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of March.
“We are pleased to feature the Mayfair Country Club as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Lee. “The historic golf course and clubhouse have been an integral part of the city of Sanford for more than 90 years.”
The golf course sits on land that was part of a 20,000-acre tract purchased in 1870 by Henry Sanford and sold in 1878 to retired sea captain Charles Amory. Amory cleared much of the land and planted citrus trees and the double row of oak trees that still line the main entrance of the golf course. He built the ship-shaped house, which remains a part of Mayfair’s clubhouse today.
The property was later purchased by Sydney Octavius Chase and his brother Joshua Coffin Chase. Early in 1922, the Chase brothers commissioned a 50-man crew to build a 9-hole golf course under the direction of Cameron Trent. That same year, with nine holes completed, the Sanford Country Club golf course officially opened for play. The city of Sanford purchased the golf course in 1924 and later hired W.D. Clark to completely redesign the existing 9-hole golf course and expand it to 18 holes.
Today, the Mayfair Country Club includes an 18-hole, par-72 golf course featuring four sets of tees ranging from 5,000 to 6,400 yards, which makes it perfect for novice players and experts alike.
“Mayfair Country Club is honored to be this month’s Florida Historic Golf Trail featured golf course,” said Pete Sands, General Manager of the Mayfair Country Club. “Our staff works hard to make visitors feel like this is their home course. Mayfair Country Club is the historic gem in the crown of golf in Seminole County.”
For more information on the Mayfair Country Club, click here.
To learn more about the Florida Historic Golf Trail, visit floridahistoricgolftrail.com or find us on Facebook at @FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.
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.
