Near Sanford in Seminole County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Mayfair Country Club
The Mayfair Country Club is a portion of a 20,000 acre tract of land purchased in 1848 for $40.00 by General Joseph Finegan, who later became the commander of the Confederate forces in their victory at Olustee, Florida. In 1870 Henry Sanford purchased the tract and in 1878 sold a portion to Charles Amory. Amory, a retired sea captain, cleared much the land, planted citrus trees and the double row of oak trees that still line the main entrance. He built a ship-shaped house, a part of which is the Mayfair clubhouse.
The City of Sanford bought 152 acres in 1922 and hired noted golf architect Donald Ross to design an 18 hole municipal golf course, which opened in October 1922 as the Sanford Country Club, with only 4 holes completed. In September 1924 the entire course was opened with greens fees of $1.00 a day for visitors, $.50 for city residents and 30 daily tickets for $20.00. Due to financial hardships the city leased the course from 1928 until 1932, when it resumed control with financial pledges from local businessmen. Resident managers during that period included Ed Levy, Andy Caraway, Tom Bolt, and Ray Lundquist.
After World War II the city leased the club to local businessman Hugh Whelchel. The New York Giants baseball club, which had its spring training headquarters in Sanford from 1948 to 1959, bought the lease in 1953 and renamed the course Mayfair Country Club. From 1958 through 1961 the course was on the professional golf tour and played to many noted golfers including Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Julius Boros, Sam Snead, Babe Zaharias and Arnold Palmer.
When the Giants left in 1965 the lease reverted to Mike Whelchel, son of the original lessee, who in 1972 subleased it to the trio of John Pierce, Howard McNulty & George Billups, until Jack Daniels assumed control 1981.
Erected 1998 by Seminole County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Sports.
Location. 28° 46.833′ N, 81° 19.145′ W. Marker is near Sanford, Florida, in Seminole County. Marker can be reached from Country Club Road, 0.4 miles south of H.E. Thomas Jr Parkway. Marker is located near the clubhouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3536 Country Club Rd, Sanford FL 32773, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Presbyterian Church of Upsala (approx. half a mile away); Upsala Swedish Community (approx. one mile away); Belair Historical Marker (approx. one mile away); Martin Luther King Jr. (approx. 1.4 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Lake Mary (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lake Mary Historic Sites (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Martin Luther King Jr. (approx. 2.2 miles away); Seminole County Courthouses (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sanford.
Regarding Mayfair Country Club. Notice 'The New York Giants baseball club,... had its spring training headquarters in Sanford from 1948 to 1959", but the club moved from New York to San Francisco in the 1957-1958 offseason.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 586 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on August 9, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.