The History
The club was renamed Lakewood Country Club following its acquisition by a group of St. Petersburg professionals and businessmen in 1935. In 2000, the club’s name was changed to St. Petersburg Country Club to better reflect its identity and heritage. As with virtually all golf courses, individual holes have evolved over the years, but the routing and essential characteristics of Herbert Strong’s original design have remained intact.
Nestled between downtown St. Petersburg and the Gulf beaches, the historic course provides golf enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the game as it was meant to be played, on a championship course without parallel fairways, where a brisk pace of play and the enjoyment of peaceful surroundings are part of every round. The course’s proximity to both the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay often provides a refreshing breeze, with changing wind directions that add variety and challenge. Fair and enjoyable for golfers of every skill level, the course continues to test even the game’s finest players.
The Tradition
St. Petersburg Country Club has hosted the New Year’s Invitational, a nationally recognized amateur tournament, every year since 1927. It is one of the oldest amateur golf tournaments in the United States. Originally contested as a match-play event, the tournament transitioned to stroke play in 1956.
Over the years, the New Year’s Invitational has attracted many outstanding players. Champions include Masters winner Bob Goalby, PGA Tour winner Gary Koch, whose advice proved invaluable during our 2024 course renovation, and FedEx Cup champion and Ryder Cup player Brandt Snedeker. More than 30 tournament participants have gone on to compete on the PGA Tour. As its name suggests, the tournament is held during the first week of January and continues to attract a highly competitive field.
From 1935 through 1964, St. Petersburg Country Club was a regular stop on the PGA Tour, sharing hosting duties with neighboring Pasadena Country Club. Sixteen editions of the St. Petersburg Open were played here, with champions including Sam Snead, Jimmy Demaret, Cary Middlecoff, and Raymond Floyd. A young Jack Nicklaus competed in the final St. Petersburg Open held at the club, finishing in a tie for fourth place.
The club’s head professional from 1951 to 1984 was Skip Alexander. His promising PGA Tour career was tragically interrupted in 1950 when he became the sole survivor of a plane crash. His recovery was remarkable, and while still undergoing numerous surgeries, he accepted the professional position at St. Petersburg Country Club. During his tenure, Skip earned regional and national recognition as one of golf’s finest professionals.
His son, Buddy Alexander, grew up at the club and won six New Year’s Invitationals. He later enjoyed an outstanding coaching career at Georgia State University, Louisiana State University, and the University of Florida, where his Gators teams captured two NCAA championships.
St. Petersburg Country Club has a proud tradition of supporting both amateur and professional golf at the highest levels. Throughout its history, the club has been home to exceptional golf professionals and continues that tradition today. Most importantly, the club has always been dedicated to providing its members with outstanding golf, exceptional recreational opportunities, and a welcoming community that has endured for generations.
