Legendary golfers…the unofficial WWII officer’s
club…and a dispute over gambling are all part of Dubsdread Golf
Course’s storied history. A lot has changed in the course’s 84
year history. On Thursday, July 10 Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and
Orlando City Commissioners will celebrate the new course with a
re-opening ceremony and tournament.
The festivities
will commence with a historic look at the course, christening of
the course with a first tee-off and world-renowned rendition of
the National Anthem by Broadway star and Orlando resident Davis
Gaines.
The renovations raise the difficulty of play
with additional yardage, varying elevations and contours in
fairways and greens. A new putting green, two short game
practice ranges and an aqua driving range with lights have been
added to the practice facility.
The renovation of
the course was made possible through a public partnership
between the City of Orlando, Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT) and the St. John’s Water Management
District. The golf course was a beneficiary of the need to
filter storm water running into Little Lake Fairview and manage
runoff from the upcoming widening of Interstate 4.
Open public play begins on Friday, July 11. To schedule a tee
time call 407-246-2551.
DUBSDREAD HISTORY
The historic course first opened in 1924 by
Orlando resident Carl Dann Sr. Dann was originally
criticized for the location being too far from what was then
the town, but as Orlando grew the course gradually became
part of the City.
Dann had a disagreement with
the Orlando County Club (supposedly about the club’s
discomfort with serious wagering) and in response Dann
walked down Orange Avenue asking people for $1,000 pledges
to start a less formal golf club. He had at least 100
founding members the first day.
Over the years,
golfing legends such as Sam Snead, Babe Zaharias, and Ben
Hogan have played at Dubsdread.
It was purchased
by the City of Orlando in 1977, making it the only
city-owned golf course.
