Inverrary Country Club closes permanently amid pandemic
The iconic Inverrary Country Club, forever linked in history with the late comedian Jackie Gleason, is closing permanently.
Victorville West Limited Partnership announced the country club and its two golf courses are permanently closed for business amid a county order shutting down golf courses as non-essential businesses.
“It’s a very sad day for our Inverrary family, but the Broward County Administrator’s Order has caused the Inverrary golf courses and all related property operations to officially shut down, and because the golf courses do not have the economic ability to reopen, both courses have been permanently closed for business,” said Nick Fortunato, general manager of the Inverrary Country Club.
Jackie Gleason plays golf with President Gerald Ford at the Lago Mar Country Club, circa 1975 (Courtesy of Florida State Library and Archives)
The club was one of the top golfing destinations in the U.S for decades after it opened in 1970. Gleason moved to Inverrary from the Miami area and from 1972 to 1980, he hosted The Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic.
Tom Weiskopf, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller were some of the big names that were Inverrary Classic Champions.
The name switched to the Honda Inverrary Classic in 1982 and the Honda Classic, now played at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, is still one of the top tournaments in South Florida.
The two Inverrary courses lay across 292.5 acres, located at 3840 Inverrary Blvd. in t Lauderhill. The west and east courses were designed by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr.
There was no immediate announcement of plans for the acreage, but there has been a wave of redevelopment of golf courses into residential projects in South Florida.
Pulte Homes, one of the nation’s largest residential developers, is currently developing townhomes and single-family homes on the former Oaktree Course in Oakland Park.
Ed Schwartz
Posted at 16:26h, 08 AprilThe first course I ever played when I was 13…a sad day when another Florida golf course closes!
Bob Sweel
Posted at 15:34h, 13 JulyVery sad, I saw every tournament and have fond memories.
Robert Lehmann
Posted at 20:01h, 09 AprilI played many rounds there …I will miss the course and the staff and Amanda and her grandfather. Amanda is confined to a wheel chair, but she and her Grand Dad would be on the par three on the West Course and would always bring a smile to me
Lori Jo Svrcek
Posted at 01:19h, 22 AprilI hope this beautiful golf courses and land will not be turned into another housing development! I wish the Sate of Florida could turn it in to a beautiful State Park for Broward County! It’s so lush and beautiful! The Country Club could be turned into a visiting Center for Nature Appreciation along with a museum and Restaurant too!!
My friend in Houston had a Pulte Home built for them and recently all they’re kitchen cabinets literally fell off and down from the walls in their House because of Pulte’s shoddy workmanship!! They lost their entire kitchen and all they’re dishes! It’s a terrible mess, and there’’s nothing they can do since their House is out of Warranity with Pulte Homes now!
I just hope these Beautiful golf courses could be reopened! I love playing golf as do many people here in South Florida! I hate to see it all be destroyed and ruined! It still has such a fine Legacy!
Lee Hancock
Posted at 21:47h, 23 MayReally sad news. I have made many great memories from playing there. It was a special course filled with a rich history.
John D Kelly
Posted at 17:35h, 24 MayBroward County is the place where golf courses go to die.