Sunshine Matters

I am proud to share that VISIT FLORIDA participated in today’s announcement by the Florida Department of State on the launch of the Florida Historic Golf Trail program during a press conference at Winter Park Golf and Country Club.  The Florida Historic Golf Trail celebrates Florida’s early golf heritage from the 1890s through World War II, by featuring historic, publicly accessible golf courses that can still be played on today.  Along with VISIT FLORIDA’s Vice President of Domestic Sales Kimberly Faulk, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Winter Park Mayor Kenneth Bradley, LPGA player Michelle McGann, and Florida’s State Historic Preservation Officer Robert F. Bendus were among those who addressed the media at today’s press conference.

The Florida Historic Golf Trail is a program developed by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources.  The Trail highlights the history of courses located throughout the state and is designed to enhance public awareness of Florida’s historic golf courses, increase an appreciation for historic preservation and encourage tourism in the Sunshine State.  The Trail’s website provides information about the history and current day contact information for each partner course.  A scorecard for the program is available online and at each partner location for players to track their progress across Florida’s historic fairways.

“We are proud to showcase Florida’s rich golfing traditions with the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “With the help of our partnering courses, we look forward to encouraging visitors and residents alike to come play on history.”

Today at the press conference, the Florida Department of State premiered a 60 second commercial featuring golf legend Arnold Palmer.  Produced in collaboration with VISIT FLORIDA, the spot will air on NBC Sports and The Golf Channel over the coming months.  

“My passion for golf and history led me to introduce the Florida Historic Golf Trail with the commercial that will soon air on the Golf Channel,” said golf legend Arnold Palmer. “Florida is one of the most beautiful places to play golf, and I’m proud to call it my home.”

With nearly 1,300 golf facilities in the state, employing more than 167,000 Floridians and generating $13.8 billion in economic impact, golf is a huge component of Florida’s overall tourism industry.  Our partnership with the Department of State, NBC Sports, The Golf Channel and Arnold Palmer provides a tremendous platform to showcase the state’s rich golfing tradition to a national audience.

More support for the Florida Historic Golf Trail:

“One of the wonderful aspects of the game of golf is its rich traditions,” said golf legend Jack Nicklaus. “As a proud Floridian for close to 50 years, I know the state of Florida has its own storied history in our game—one that should be honored, valued, and, most important, shared with current and future generations. The Florida Historic Golf Trail includes important chapters to our golf story, and I hope residents and visitors to our state will take the opportunity to experience some of this history.”

“As a professional golfer, I am thrilled to be a part of the launch of the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said LPGA award-winning golfer Michelle McGann. “I enjoy any opportunity to share my love for the game, and through this new program even more golfers will learn about the history behind the courses they play.”

We encourage visitors to come play on history.  For more information on the 51 courses that currently comprise the Florida Historic Golf Trail, visit FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.com.   To plan your next vacation to the Sunshine State, explore VISITFLORIDA.com and especially content posted by our Golf Insider Carling Nolan.