Jacksonville G&CC to get a facelift by Andy Staples; Oak Marsh re-opens

• Jacksonville Golf and Country Club is undergoing a $30 million renovation project, including a redesigned golf course and new clubhouse.
• The Omni Amelia Island Resort’s Oak Marsh Golf Course will reopen on May 16 after a $7.4 million renovation.
• Emily Brown, a prominent figure in First Coast golf, passed away at 89.

The Jacksonville Golf and Country Club is launching a $30 million “Enhancement Plan” that includes a renovation of the golf course that will result in noticeable changes to the original Clyde Johnston and Fuzzy Zoeller design. 

One planned change jumps out: There will no longer be a double green for the ninth and 18th holes, and the 18th will now become the ninth and converted to a driveable par-4. 

The re-design is being overseen by Andy Staples, who previously designed the PGA National Match Course and the Staple Course at PGA National, a nine-hole track. 

“Andy was the best fit for the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club,” said general manager Hans Grover. “We loved his designs. We gave the candidates three holes to play with and his were amazing.” 

Other new designs aspects will include Redan, Biarritz and Punchbowl greens. Staples also will be designing a “19th hole” chipping green, suitable for breaking ties. 

The greens, tees, bunkers and fairways will be completely rebuilt and drainage and irrigation will be updated. 

Grover said the course will be “more challenging for the low handicap player and more fun for the average golfer.” 

The project also includes the construction of a new 18,000-square-foot, two-story clubhouse with expanded dining, pool and fitness facilities, cabanas and a children’s pool. The clubhouse will have views of the golf and tennis courts. 

Construction is expected to begin in September 2026 on the clubhouse and September 2027 for the golf course, with phased openings that will have minimal disruption to members. 

Omni Oak Marsh Course to re-open 

The Oak Marsh Golf Course, designed by Pete Dye in 1972, will re-open May 16 after the completion of a $7.4 million renovation project by the Omni Amelia Island Resort and Spa. 

Architect Beau Welling, who designed the resort’s “Little Sandy” 10-hole par-3 course, supervised the re-design of Oak Marsh. All greens were rebuilt and regrassed with TifEagle Bermuda and the fairways, teeing grounds, rough and green collars are Bimini Bermuda. 

Drainage and irrigation were also enhanced, cart paths were rebuilt and the practice range has been upgraded with new hitting mats. 

“Our celebrated Oak Marsh is now even better and provides one of the great golf course experiences in both Florida and the U.S.,” said Theo Schofield, Managing Director, Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa, in a statement. “Beau Welling and his team are fantastic to work with as well as ideal to maintain Pete Dye’s original concept while modernizing the layout to be enjoyed by our resort guests and club members for decades to come.” 

Emily Brown played by the rules

It should come as no surprise that Emily Brown, who was active in First Coast golf as a player and administrator, said she wanted to be remembered as someone “who played golf by the rules.” 

Ms. Brown passed away on April 6 at the age of 89. 

A native of St. Louis, Ms. Brown came to Jacksonville in 1967, three years after retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy. Over the past 58 years, she served as president of the Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association and the Florida State Women’s Golf Association and was made a lifetime member of both. 

She was honored by the Jacksonville Area Golf Association in 2019 with the Earl and Eleanor Kelly Service Award. 

Ms. Brown also founded the Jacksonville Area Women’s Team Play series. She made 10 holes in one and won 30 club championships at multiple clubs. 

Services have not yet been scheduled. She requested that donations be made in her name to Challenge Enterprises, 3530 Enterprise Way, Green Cove Springs, FL 3204. 

Taylor Funk qualifies 

Taylor Funk of Ponte Vedra Beach shot 2-under 70 at the Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs to tie for second in a U.S. Open local qualifier, advancing to sectional play in June. 

Players tied with Funk, two shots behind winner Jorge Viller of Mexico, included 17-year-old Blades Brown and 2021 U.S. Amateur champion James Piot. 

The First Coast’s U.S. Open local qualifier will be on May 5 at the Marsh Creek Country Club in St. Augustine.