By Len Ziehm
In addition to great beaches and the Daytona Speedway, greater Daytona features 20 golf courses.
Since 1994, Daytona has been the home of the LPGA, and annually hosts the final stage of the Qualifying School each year. Its two courses were designed by two of the game’s best architects, Arthur Hills and Rees Jones.
Three other courses have withstood the tests of time and are included in the 50 facilities on the Florida Historic Golf Trail. One of the oldest collection of courses in the country, it honors courses built between 1897 and 1949, that still remain open for public play today.
Riviera Golf Club, in Ormond Beach, is the home of The Riviera Open, the longest-standing mini-tour event in the United States. Both New Smyrna Beach and the Daytona Beach Club were designed by the legendary architect Donald Ross.
Ross designed the first nine holes of Daytona Beach South in 1921 and completed the rest of the course in 1923. He re-designed the course in 1944 and in 1945 it hosted an exhibition match with Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Jug McSpaden. The next year Jimmy Demaret replaced McSpaden and he bested the other three Hall of Famers, by shooting a 63.
New Smyrna is one of Ross’ last creations, and he only completed the front nine. His work began in 1947, but he died in 1948 before the first nine opened in 1949.
The full 18 holes were not completed until 1956 and Bobby Weed did a complete renovation in 2006.
Side Note: Jim “Bones’’ McKay, the well-known caddie for Phil Mickelson, Justin Thomas, as well as part-time NBC television analyst, grew up on New Smyrna Golf Club.
Another golf course not to be missed is Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange. It was an airport before it was a golf course and is part of the largest fly-in community in the country. The golf course opened in 1972 and home-building started after several retired pilots decided to live in the area.
“People can fly right in and drive their airplanes right into their garages. We have a lot of hangar homes and a whole lot of roadways for airplanes to drive on,’’ said Jason Pomroy, Spruce Creek’s head golf professional. “It’s quite a unique environment. Aviation is first, and golf is always second here.’’
As far as a golf destination goes at Daytona, it will always play second fiddle to Daytona’s biggest attractions, the white sand beaches and the Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 auto race.
“We have a wide group of courses,’ said Andrew Booth, director of communications for the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, “but we offer a lot of different things. We’re a great destination. There’s lots of ways you can plan your visit.’’
Big things have been happening around the Speedway. A $400 million renovation was initiated in 2014, which greatly upgraded the motor sports aspect. More recently One Daytona, a shopping and entertainment area across the street from the Speedway, has enhanced tourism options.
“The renovation transformed the area into an arena experience,’’ said Booth, “and that was a real game-changer.’’
The family of Bill France, founder of NASCAR, opened the Speedway in 1959 and he had a big vision for the area. One Daytona now includes The Daytona Hotel, a variety of restaurants and shops surrounding a play area for youngsters willing to get wet in the fountains.
While the dining is excellent at One Daytona, one other area restaurant that’s not to be missed is Rose Villa Southern Table, in Ormond Beach. It was established as a bed and breakfast in 1901, but has evolved into an upscale restaurant serving a wide variety of cuisine with a Southern hospitality atmosphere.
In addition to One Daytona, the Speedway itself is welcoming more than motor sports enthusiasts. Soccer matches were played at the racetrack last year and a rock music festival drew a huge crowd this year. The NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, are considering playing several home games at the Speedway, while their stadium undergoes renovation.
Daytona is also home for the Tortugas, a minor league baseball team. The ballpark is historic as it opened in 1914, but was renamed the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, after Robinson made his professional baseball debut there in 1946. Jackie went on to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier the following year playing for Branch Rickey’s Brooklyn Dodgers.
Another interesting Daytona attraction, Ponce Inlet Watersports offers boat tours to catch glimpses of manatees and dolphins, as well as kayaking, or parasailing for the more adventurous visitors.
The Atlantic Ocean provides fishermen a great day on the water and Tomoka State Park is an ecological masterpiece for those into cycling, botanical study, paddling, hiking, boating, or wildlife viewing. The Museum of Arts & Sciences has a diverse collection of art, history and science exhibits.
If you are into Pickleball 49 courts will soothe your itch. The USA Pickleball Diamond National Championships were contested here, in 2022.
The golf is great in Daytona, but with the Daytona Speedway, beautiful beaches and One Daytona there is plenty to keep you occupied off the golf course, as well.
