Scott Smyers
Scott Smyers
Steve and Scott Smyers
Steve and Scott Smyers
Steve and Scott Smyers
Steve and Scott Smyers
Steve and Scott Smyers
Steve and Scott Smyers
Old Memorial Golf Club
Old Memorial Golf Club
13600 National Golf Dr
Tampa, FL 33626-2203
United States
Overview
Architects occasionally get to renovate courses they've built as their design ideas evolve or in response to changing conditions or technology. Donald Ross most famously added to and remodeled Pinehurst No. 2 throughout his life, and Pete Dye tinkered and enhanced courses like Crooked Stick, TPC Sawgrass and Harbour Town (not always for the better). Steve Smyers had the same opportunity to make important adjustments to Old Memorial in Tampa in 2020. In the 22 years since it opened, Smyers had come to think differently about strategy and how elite players approach the game, enticing him to expand greens and make tweaks to the approaches and surrounds. What hasn't changed are the decorative bunkers that take inspiration from the courses of the Melbourne Sand Belt that Smyers is so fond of.
About
Awards
ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked 185th, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked 10th, 2017-'18. Ranked 13th, 2011-'12. Ranked 15th, 2013-'14. Ranked 16th, 2023-'24. Ranked 17th, 2015-'16, 2019-'20. Ranked 18th, 2025-'26 Ranked 19th, 2021-'22. Ranked inside the top 20, 1999-2009.
Previous ranking: 16th.
2025-'26 ranking: 18th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Designed by Steve Smyers, the course sits on a quietly rolling property west of Tampa, where gently shifting terrain, natural wetlands, and wide corridors offer a perfect canvas for thoughtful, risk-reward golf. From the opening holes, Old Memorial establishes its identity through strategic width and intelligent hazard placement. Fairways are generous, but seldom straightforward; preferred angles are carefully guarded by bunkers that appear natural in form yet demand sharp decision-making. Many holes feature diagonal lines of play that reward players who can shape shots or boldly challenge trouble to secure the best route into the green."
Read More2026
Review
“The best golf course in the Tampa and St. Pete area. With its fairway grass dominating the ground, especially around the bunkers, it is somewhat reminiscent of the style used at the Melbourne, Australia golf courses. If you get the opportunity to play here, make sure to have a drink in the locker room and make a couple of bets!"
Read More2025
Review
“Old Memorial is a challenging golf course that has more bunkers than you can count! It has some interesting holes and some that are less memorable. Overall, it offers lots of shot options and can be as challenging as you want, depending on the tees you choose to play, with a few driveable par 4s, a short par 3, and several long par 5s."
Read More2025
Review
“Old Memorial is one of the best courses in the Tampa area."
Read More2024
Review
“Old Memorial is a core golf course set on a sandy piece of property not far from Tampa. The course features beautiful Australian Sandbelt style bunkering and native grasses which add to aesthetics, playability and charm. The course features a solid variety of short par-4's as well as big, bold par 4 and-a-half's. Ample tight/short grass on the green surrounds and enough land movement to keep things interesting. This course scores very well on the "how badly do you want to go back to the 1st tee after finishing #18" test!"
Read More2024
Review
“The bunkering sets this course apart from most all others in Florida. All in wonderful shape and they play a big impact on tee shots with intimation. Greens great shape sizes and shapes. Good flow to the course. Conditioning is wonderful. Aesthetically pleasing minus the powerlines."
Read More2024
Review
“Good golf course and a great club culture and single-bag caddie program. The club demands fast play, expecting all rounds to be walked in under four hours -- love that!"
Read More2024
Review
“Very nice golf course definitely worth playing if you get the opportunity. Be ready to play fast on the course, but then relax and enjoy the outstanding clubhouse and men's locker room if you are able. Wonderful experience."
Read More2023
Review
“A must play if you get the opportunity. A great use of flat land with some really nice bunkering and great conditioning."
Read More2023
Review
“Lovely place to play in the Tampa Area. Hidden in the middle of the city. It's been updated since I played in 2020 and I would like to see what has been done."
Read More2022
