Politics & Government

Temple Terrace Celebrates Golf Course's Historic Designation

City officials and community leaders toasted the Temple Terrace Golf Course's listing on the National Register of Historic Places Tuesday.

The Temple Terrace Golf Course has been called the city’s emerald necklace, and it was out of the jewelry box and on display Tuesday as the community celebrated the course’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Anyone who is familiar with Temple Terrace knows the golf course is a prized treasure and an invaluable historic landmark to the city,” said Tim Lancaster, president of the Temple Terrace Preservation Society. “And now, it has rightfully received the honor and distinction it deserves.”

The course is the first 18-hole golf course in Florida and 28th nationwide to be listed on the register. It was designed by golf course architect Tom Bendelow in the 1920s.

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Historians note that Temple Terrace was one of the first communities in the nation designed around a golf course. The figure-8 course allowed the front and back nines to return to the clubhouse and for 1920s automobiles to follow the course to watch the golf tournaments.

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During the special event Tuesday, the Temple Terrace Highlanders bagpipe band played; actors from Masque Community Theatre, Florida College and Florida College Academy attended in 1920s attire; and the Preservation Society announced its annual Hickory Heritage Historic Golf Weekend.

The weekend features amateur and professional hickory golf tournaments. Golfers wear 1920s attire and play with authentic hickory golf clubs and gutta-percha balls to experience the Temple Terrace Golf Course the way it was designed to be played.

This year, the weekend takes place Jan. 19-21. For a complete list of the events and links to sign up, click here: Temple Terrace Golf Course Makes National Register of Historic Places.

To make the golf weekend official, Mayor Frank Chillura proclaimed Jan. 19 as Historic Hickory Golf Day in Temple Terrace.

“Our golf course adds so much to our community’s beauty and charm,” he said.

The Preservation Society also announced that it is starting a new initiative to fund, create and install two new historic markers to commemorate the Golf Course and the Country Club.

“The cost for the two markers is about $5,000, so if anybody has their checkbook handy today, that would be great,” Lancaster joked. “But we’re definitely getting started on that.”

The society recently installed a marker at Woodmont Clubhouse to honor Bertha Palmer, who is credited with founding Temple Terrace.

At the end of the event, City Councilman Bob Boss led the community in a toast to celebrate the Golf Course’s historic achievement.

“It looks like we’ll have beautiful golfing weather for the Hickory Hacker this weekend,” Boss said. “So don’t forget to sign up for the events, come out to the club, and enjoy historic golfing not only this weekend, but all year long.”

See also:
Temple Terrace Golf Course Makes National Register of Historic Places
Golf Course Close to 'Historic Places' Designation
Temple Terrace Hickory Heritage Historic Golf Weekend
Golfers Gather for Hickory Heritage Game (2012)
Knickers Ball Roars With 1920s Style (2012)
Tee Time Approaches for Hickory Golf Enthusiasts (2012)


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