Pinehurst, N.C. touts itself because the “Dwelling of American Golf,’’ thanks partly to Donald Ross and his masterpiece, Pinehurst No. 2. However earlier than there was Ross, there was Alexander Findlay.
A Scotsman like Ross, Findlay got here to the U.S. in 1887 — principally to be a cowhand on the Merichiston Ranch close to Fullerton, NE., a not-so uncommon occupation for younger British males of that period looking for higher lives exterior of Victorian England.
However Findlay, a champion golfer, couldn’t get the sport out of his system. Thus, he’s credited with constructing the primary contiguous golf holes within the U.S. — now misplaced on the plains of Nebraska — someday between 1887 and 1889.
In 1896 — 4 years earlier than Ross moved from Massachusetts to the Sandhills — railroad tycoon Henry Flagler signed Findlay to design the Palm Seaside Golf Membership, adjoining to his Breakers resort. That course, which opened in 1897, now’s the Breakers Ocean Course. It’s typically thought-about the oldest energetic course in Florida, though the Belleair Nation Membership is typically listed as a tie for opening that very same yr. The Breakers Palm Seaside continues to be thought-about the standard-bearer for luxurious resorts in Palm Seaside and South Florida.
However let’s stick with golf. On Feb. 22, 1900, at Palm Seaside Golf Membership, Harry Vardon — then the world’s finest golfer — gained a 36-hole one-up towards his outdated buddy, Findlay. The Palm Seaside Tribune referred to as it the “greatest golf match ever played at Palm Beach.” Findlay and Vardon, who stayed on to win the 1900 U.S. Open on the Chicago Golf Membership, performed greater than 4,000 holes of exhibition golf over the subsequent few years and laid the groundwork for golf in America.
The course is immaculately landscaped and presents nice views of The Breakers traditional resort constructing with its Mediterranean-style structure. The Ocean Course performs solely 5,778 yards (par 70) from the guidelines. However that’s sufficient for many resort friends and members.
In late 2018, the course emerged from a full-scale renovation by famend golf course architect Rees Jones.
In the meantime, The Breakers Rees Jones Course in West Palm Seaside — a couple of 20-minute shuttle experience away from the resort — provides even low-handicap gamers all they’ll deal with. Jones in 2022 renovated the course (7,104 yards, par 72) by reconstructing a number of holes to permit for expanded shot alternatives and modified bunkers to enhance sightlines and playability.
Play on the programs is open to members and resort friends.
