History

The Mayfair Country Club is a portion of a 20,000 acre tract of land purchased in 1848 for $40 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 of the land, planed citrus trees and the double row of oak trees that still line the main entrance of the golf course.  He built the 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 of 1922 as the Sanford Country Club, with only 4 holes completed.  In September 1924 the entire course was opened with greens fees of $1 a day for visitors, $.50 for city residents, and 30 daily tickets for $10.

By 1927, some of golf’s greatest players came here including Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen.  During the Depression, the course fell into disrepair until  local golfers petitioned the city to make improvements. The course was renovated in 1939. Years of neglect and frustration led to a small group of investors asking to lease the course and clubhouse. The renovated Seminole Country Club opened with a dinner dance in 1945. In the late 1940s, when the New York Giants acquired the Mayfair Inn, they also took over the golf course and renamed it the Mayfair. During these glory days, the course was part of the PGA tour from 1955-1957.  It was around this time that Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer played the course.

Notable golfers who have played at Mayfair:

• Gene Sarazen
• Walter Hagen
• Ben Hogan
• Sammy Snead
• Arnold Palmer
• Al Balding
• Michael Souchak
• Chick Harbert
• Skip Alexander
• Bernie Haas