About Us
Our History
Founded in the early 1920s, Lake Wales Country Club was initially owned by the City of Lake Wales. The course was designed by the world-famous “godfather” of American golf course architecture, Donald Ross.
A small clubhouse was built in the early years to house club activities. As the club grew in the years before World War II, the need to create a better clubhouse that would accommodate more people became apparent. Accordingly, the Lake Wales City Council applied for WPA funds for this project. On September 8, 1938, none other than U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt approved $16,888 to build a new clubhouse. The City of Lake Wales supplemented the project with $5,818. A new clubhouse was completed on July 12, 1939, for $22,706.
During World War II, the facility was sold to stockholding country club members. The club grew and prospered under the membership’s own management until it was sold to Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. in 1980. Mr. Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. had been associated with the Lake Wales Country Club since the early 1920s. Mr. Griffin had been a caddy at the Club during his high school years. He was a longtime supporter and member of the Club. Indeed, the annual Ben Hill Griffin Invitational Golf Tournament has been the high point of the Club’s golfing and social calendar for more than 30 years.
Under Ben Hill Griffin, Inc.’s ownership, the Club grew further at a rapid pace. Improvements made during this time included a new maintenance barn, new facilities and equipment, and a new irrigation system; the addition of a 1/2-mile stucco and tile wall around the property’s Highway 60 frontage and matching stucco/tile guardhouse; and construction of a beautiful Spanish-style clubhouse that was opened to members on January 11, 1984.
These years of growth and prosperity culminated in the January 2013 sale of the facility to private owners. With the continuing support of Lake Wales’ members and dedicated staff, the new owners are committed to maintaining and enhancing the role Lake Wales Country Club has historically played as a local community pillar.
Lake Wales Practice Facilities
Peace and calmness is the basic need of a soul. At Lake Wales Country Club, we tend to provide the utmost peace and calmness of mind. Be sure to take advantage of our outstanding practice facilities along with the peaceful and silent environment while playing at Lake Wales Country Club. You’re advised to arrive early for your tee time and spend some time warming up. Better preparation should translate to an improvement in your score. You can consider starting this time at the practice green and hole out each put instead of hitting the driving range. THEN go to the driving range and start with some wedge shots. Work your way up through the clubs in your bag. Our large driving range is set up with grass tees to enhance your practice experience. Finish your range session by visualizing playing the first few holes…just imagine you are facing the first fairway and hit a drive, then take the next couple of shots, ending up with your pretend approach to no. 1 green. Finally, head over to the practice bunker located near the range to practice your sand shots and pitching, holing out everything. Using this practice routine at our facility should enhance your enjoyment of our course and improve your game.
sales@lakewalescountryclub.com
PHONE
(863) 676-2422
(863) 456-4915
ADDRESS