Trevor Ng
Melreese Golf Course, also known as the International Links Melreese Country Club, is a public golf course in Miami, Florida. It is Miami's only city-owned golf course and is known for its Bermuda Grass greens and fairways, rolling fairways, and large, undulating greens. The course has been played by Tiger Woods and is popular for hosting events on the PGA Latinoamerica Tour. However, in 2019, the golf course was temporarily closed after an environmental analysis revealed high levels of arsenic and other pollutants in the soil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Melreese Golf Course at International Links |
| Location | 1802 NW 37th Ave, Miami, Florida 33125, Dade County, USA |
| Year opened | 1961 |
| Architects | Dick Wilson, Charles Mahannah, Jr., and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. |
| Grass type | Bermuda Grass greens and fairways |
| Par | 71 |
| Length | 7270 yards |
| Rating | 73.7 |
| Slope | 128 |
| Holes | 18 |
| Lakes | 5 |
| Bunkers | 100 |
| Signature hole | Par-4 14th, "Heartbreak Ridge" |
| Contamination | High levels of arsenic, lead, and other pollutants in the soil |
| Closure | Ordered by Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez in August 2019 |
| Future plans | Potential construction of a soccer stadium and other developments |
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What You'll Learn
- Melreese Golf Course is Miami's only city-owned golf course
- The course is highly regarded and has hosted events on the PGA Latinoamerica Tour
- It was designed by Dick Wilson and Charles Mahannah and opened in 1961
- The course has six sets of tees, five lakes, and nearly 100 sand bunkers
- In 2018, voters approved a referendum that could result in the course being replaced by a soccer stadium
Melreese Golf Course is Miami's only city-owned golf course
The Melreese Golf Course at International Links is Miami's only city-owned golf course. It was built in 1961 and designed by Dick Wilson and Charles Mahannah. The course features Bermuda Grass greens and fairways, six sets of tees, rolling fairways, undulating greens, five lakes, nearly 100 sand bunkers, and the signature par-4 14th hole, nicknamed "Heartbreak Ridge".
Melreese is a respected golf course, known for being the longtime home of the First Tee, a youth golf and empowerment program with over 2000 kids, and an outreach program extending to 60,000 students in elementary schools. The course has also hosted events on the PGA Latinoamerica Tour and offers programs for Special Olympians, military veterans, and college teams.
The golf course is located near highways and a school/park, which has raised concerns about the safety of the average golfer. It is also known for its friendly attendants, spacious range, good food, and decent beer selection.
In 2018, a referendum was passed, allowing David Beckham and his partners to negotiate with the city to build a soccer stadium on the land currently occupied by the golf course. This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some highlighting the historical and community value of the golf course, while others supported the potential economic benefits of the stadium project.
In August 2019, the Melreese golf course was temporarily closed after an environmental analysis revealed high levels of arsenic and other pollutants in the soil. The closure was ordered by Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez as a precautionary measure to allow for further analysis and assessment of the contamination.
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The course is highly regarded and has hosted events on the PGA Latinoamerica Tour
The Melreese Golf Course at International Links in Miami, Florida, is a highly regarded golf course. It is Miami's only city-owned golf course and was built in 1961. The course has Bermuda Grass greens and fairways, a par of 71, and a length of 7270 yards. It features rolling fairways, undulating greens, five lakes that come into play on 14 holes, and nearly 100 sand bunkers. The signature hole is the par-4 14th, nicknamed "Heartbreak Ridge", which requires an approach shot over water to an island green.
Melreese has hosted events on the PGA Latinoamerica Tour, including the season-ending championship for the past two years. It has also served as a qualifying site for the PGA Tour's new tournament in the Dominican Republic. The course is known as the longtime home of the First Tee, a youth golf and empowerment program with over 2000 kids, as well as programs for Special Olympians and military veterans.
The course is also significant to golfers like two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton, who grew up playing and practising at Melreese. Cristie Kerr, a professional golfer, also credits the course's junior program for giving her a start in the sport.
However, in 2018, a referendum was passed that could result in the course's closure. The vote allows David Beckham and his real estate partners to negotiate with the city to build a soccer stadium, hotel, offices, and retail space on the land. This decision was met with opposition from the golf community and those who value the course's contribution to the city and its youth programs.
In 2019, the course was temporarily closed due to contamination. An environmental analysis revealed high levels of arsenic and other pollutants in the soil, which was attributed to the site's history as a dumping ground for toxic ash from an old municipal incinerator. Despite the closure, golfers and residents continued to advocate for the course's preservation, citing its importance to the community and the need for green spaces in the city.
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It was designed by Dick Wilson and Charles Mahannah and opened in 1961
The Melreese golf course in Miami, Florida, was designed by Dick Wilson and Charles Mahannah and opened in 1961. It is Miami's only city-owned golf course and is known for its rolling fairways, large undulating greens, and five lakes that come into play on 14 holes. The course has Bermuda grass greens and fairways and a par of 71.
The golf course has been a beloved part of the community for over half a century and is known for its excellent conditions and challenging play. It has hosted various events, including the PGA Tour Latinoamericano Championship and the Ken Juhn Golf Classic. It is also the longtime home of the First Tee, a youth golf and empowerment program that has served over 2,000 kids and extended its outreach to 60,000 students in elementary schools. The course has also produced LPGA veterans Cristie Kerr, Moira Dunn, and Tracy Kerdyk through its junior program.
In addition to its golf offerings, Melreese features an on-site bar and restaurant, a lighted driving range, and a putting green. The course is open to the public and provides a unique experience with its combination of natural beauty and the sounds of low-flying aircraft landing at the nearby Miami International Airport (MIA).
However, in 2018, the future of the Melreese golf course became uncertain due to a referendum that allowed for the potential construction of a soccer stadium on the land. The referendum passed by a 60-40 margin, and negotiations began with David Beckham and his partners to build a stadium for a Major League Soccer team. Despite the golf course's rich history and its importance to the community, the project moved forward, although it faced criticism and legal challenges.
In August 2019, the golf course was temporarily closed due to contamination. An environmental analysis revealed high levels of arsenic and other pollutants in the soil, likely resulting from toxic ash dumped there from an old municipal incinerator. While the closure was initially intended to allow for further analysis and assessment, the future of the Melreese golf course remains uncertain.
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The course has six sets of tees, five lakes, and nearly 100 sand bunkers
The Melreese Golf Course at International Links in Miami, Florida, is a championship golf course that offers a challenging and diverse experience for golfers. The course features six sets of tees, allowing players to choose their preferred level of difficulty and providing a range of options for golfers of different skill levels.
The course is designed to test golfers' skills with its five lakes that come into play on 14 holes. These water hazards add a unique element of risk and reward, requiring strategic shot-making and careful course management. The lakes are a defining feature of Melreese, with water often coming into play alongside the fairways and greens, demanding precise shots and a thoughtful approach to each hole.
In addition to the water hazards, the course also features nearly 100 sand bunkers strategically placed throughout the layout. These bunkers further enhance the challenge and require golfers to demonstrate their skills in a variety of situations. The bunkers are positioned to capture errant shots, demanding precise shot-making and adding to the overall difficulty of the course.
The combination of tees, lakes, and bunkers creates a dynamic and engaging golf experience. Each hole presents a unique set of obstacles and risks, encouraging golfers to make strategic decisions and execute a variety of shots. The course caters to golfers of all skill levels, offering a balanced test of their abilities.
The signature hole at Melreese, the par-4 14th, nicknamed "Heartbreak Ridge", exemplifies the course's character. This hole features water alongside the right side of the fairway, from the tee to the green, demanding an approach shot over the water to an island green. It is a true test of a golfer's nerve and skill, providing a memorable and exciting experience.
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In 2018, voters approved a referendum that could result in the course being replaced by a soccer stadium
The Melreese Golf Course at International Links in Miami, Florida, is a championship course that has been around for over half a century. It is Miami's only city-owned golf course and is open to the public. The course is known for its rolling fairways, large undulating greens, five lakes, and nearly 100 sand bunkers. It also features the signature par-4 14th hole, nicknamed "Heartbreak Ridge", which requires an approach shot over water to an island green.
In 2018, voters approved a referendum that could result in the Melreese golf course being replaced by a soccer stadium. The referendum allowed city officials to bypass the usual bidding process for public land, enabling them to negotiate directly with David Beckham's group for the construction of a 25,000-seat Major League Soccer stadium, along with a hotel, offices, and retail spaces. This decision was met with criticism and concern from the local golf community and residents who cherished the golf course as a green space in the city.
The proposed development, known as Miami Freedom Park, sparked debates about the impact on the environment, with reports of high levels of arsenic and other pollutants in the soil. The course was temporarily closed in 2019 for further environmental analysis.
The referendum and subsequent negotiations highlighted the potential loss of a valued community space, as Melreese was home to the First Tee program, which served over 2,000 kids and 60,000 students across various elementary schools. The course also held special significance for golfers, including LPGA veterans Cristie Kerr and Moira Dunn, who credited the course's programs for their success.
While the future of the golf course remained uncertain, the referendum approval in 2018 marked a significant step towards the potential transformation of the site into a soccer stadium and commercial development.
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Frequently asked questions
Melreese Golf Course at International Links is Miami's only city-owned golf course. It was built in 1961 and designed by Dick Wilson and Charles Mahannah. The course has Bermuda Grass greens and fairways and is known for its rolling fairways and large undulating greens.
Melreese Golf Course is famous for being the site of Tiger Woods' first professional appearance in South Florida. It is also known for its signature hole, the par-4 14th, nicknamed "Heartbreak Ridge". The course has hosted the PGA Tour Latinoamericano Championship for two years and is home to the Miami-Dade chapter of the First Tee, a program with 5,000 kids.
The future of Melreese Golf Course is uncertain as voters approved a referendum in 2018 that could lead to its closure. The vote allows David Beckham and his partners to negotiate with the city to build a soccer stadium, hotel, offices, and retail space on the land currently occupied by the golf course. The course was temporarily closed in 2019 due to contamination but was reopened pending a favorable analysis.
