Originally, the Bay Hill Golf Club & Lodge was the vision of a group of investors from Nashville, Tennessee, who in 1960 sought to develop a private retreat at which to enjoy their favorite pastime. Thirteen months after the original conception, Bay Hill's championship 18 holes opened for play. Since then, Bay Hill Golf Club tickets have become nearly impossible to obtain.
After opening in October of 1961, the present pro shop building was erected, overlooking the first and 10 th tees. Until further construction during the next few years developed the present-day clubhouse, offices, dining and lodge facilities, that original glass-walled structure served as clubhouse, sales office and pro shop for the new and then little-known Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
To promote the club, in 1965 the partners invited Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Don Cherry and Dave Ragan for the first of many Bay Hill Golf Club events. Impressed with the Central Florida area more than a decade earlier when he came to Orlando with the Wake Forest golf team for a match against Rollins College, Arnold Palmer fell in love with Bay Hill that day. You will too.