The World Golf Hall of Fame was founded back in 1974 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Then, in 1998, it was moved to a brand new property and facility called the world golf village resort near Saint Augustine, Florida. The world golf village was a brand new buildout housing the multi-story golf hall of fame.
Additionally, space for restaurants and offices were all built out around the property which circled a lake that held an island green that allowed visitors to attempt to take a swing for glory. It all seemed so perfect being not too far down the road from the real 17th island green at the TPC Stadium golf course and the PGA Tour headquarters. However, the facility has floundered over the years despite having two solid Florida-style golf courses including the King and the Bear and the Slammer and the Squire. So, now the hall of fame’s 25-year lease is ending and it is moving.
So where is the golf hall of fame going?
The world golf hall of fame is heading back “home” to Pinehurst, North Carolina. The USGA has built a new golf house campus at the Pinehurst resort. The campus covers a 6-acre footprint which included funds coming in from the state of North Carolina. The partnership between the USGA and the World Golf Hall of Fame makes sense and is scheduled to happen in September 2023.
What’s going to happen to the world golf village near Saint Augustine?
That’s a good question. The future of this facility is unwritten still. As mentioned, there are two solid golf layouts associated with the facility. The Slammer & Squire was designed in 1998 by golf course architect Bobby Weed with the input from Sam Snead (the slammer) and Gene Sarazen (the squire). The course is a solid Florida-style layout that purposely preserved the natural beauty of the North Florida area.
Offsite, and about a 10-minute drive from the world golf village, is the King and the Bear Golf Course. It was the only golf course design collaboration between golf legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. This collaboration is considered by most to be the better of the two golf courses and generally always listed in the top courses you can play in Florida.
Both courses are solid and fun layouts that are tributes to some of golf’s greats and showcase well in beautiful North Florida near Saint Augustine. St. John’s County is soliciting ideas and advice from the general public on what to do with the overall facilities. With all the influx of new residents into the area, both courses will surely remain. Hopefully, the presently missing infrastructure and amenities will finally surround two nice golf courses.