Pinecrest Lake Bonnet Road, Avon Park, Florida).
Pinecrest Golf Club. “New ownership
Gardner Dickinson, and Don January.
It’s an 18-hole, par-72 layout, which
has taken the lead (in July 2018) and it
From 1959-1963, Pinecrest and
features five sets of tees that play from
is committed to continuing the im-
another nearby course (Harder Hall)
4,900 to 6,700 yards. Unlike many Flor-
provement process, beginning with
hosted the Haig & Haig Mixed Scotch
ida golf courses, Pinecrest doesn’t wind
a total clubhouse renovation, which
Tournament. This event attracted great
its way through neighborhoods, condo-
is ready to be enjoyed. Many excit-
names from both the PGA and LPGA
miniums, residential areas, and resort
ing projects are a part of the long-
Tour. Some of the more well- known
hotels. Instead, Pinecrest is surrounded
term planning here at Pinecrest.”
players included Arnold Palmer, Tommy
by Mother Nature – pastoral countryside, beautiful orange groves, natural wooded areas, and the lovely Lake Lotela.
It might be fair to say that Pinecrest’s best days are in its future. One of the most newsworthy and
Bolt, Julius Boros, Kathy Whitworth, Mickey Wright, and Joanne Carner. In the early years, Pinecrest attract-
historical events to take place at the
ed other public figures in American
pinecrest.com) features relatively open
Pinecrest Golf Club took place in 1959,
society such as former U.S. Presidents
fairways, but the approach shots to the
according to Staffieri. That year, the
Grover Cleveland and Franklin Delano
greens – all with false fronts, a Ross
club hosted the first-ever televised
Roosevelt, as well as Baseball Hall of
trademark -- require tactical think-
match-play elimination golf tourna-
Famers Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
ing since the putting surfaces are filled
ment. The event featured eight golfers
Hollywood celebrities George Burns
with creative contours and undula-
who had played for the U.S. Ryder Cup
and Gracie Allen also played golf at
tions. Navigating your way around
team. The eight pros played for one of
Pinecrest. Without a doubt, Pinecrest,
this golf course without making a
the biggest purses in golf at the time
back in the day, was the place to be
three-putt is a worthy achievement.
-- $171,000. The tournament was part
and be seen. The course remains as
“Pinecrest has continued to make
of “World Championship Golf,” which
appealing today as it was back then,
upgrades to the golf course with
was later broadcast a few months
as Pinecrest’s star appeal contin-
bunker renovations and new Tif Eagle
later on NBC. Dr. Cary Middlecoff won
ues to shine, every day of the year.
greens, which were installed in 2016,”
the event. Three other well-known
said Joseph Staffieri, club manager,
names in that field were Sam Snead,
Today, Pinecrest GC (www.golf-
Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 9
To reserve your tee time in the spotlight, call the pro shop at 863-453-7555. 27