Golf began in coastal Georgia in 1886 when Jekyll Island was purchased by the Jekyll Island club. reducing the size of the wildboar herd and fencing against deer incursions into the gardens were high priorities as were road building and clubhouse construction. In 1894, The Jekyll Island Golf club was registered as the 36th in the nation.

The first course on the island was built on a 26-acre site just north of and adjacent to the Historic District. The course was “absolutely flat with sand greens.” The caddies used mats hole was completed. The course was laid out by Arthur B. Claflin, younger brother of Jekyll Island club member John Claflin. USGA records credit the architecture to Willie Dunn Jr. Dunn, a Scotsman, was close friends with John D. rockefeller and W.K. Vanderbilt: the latter an original Jekyll Island club Member.

In 1910, Karl Keffer, a canadian professional from the royal Ottawa Golf club, was brought to Jekyll Island as a Golf professional.

We are waiting for you to come and make your own.