*MEDIA ALERT*
Rogers Park Golf Course listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Presentation to by held at Tampa Sports Authority Board meeting on Monday, July 27
TAMPA, Fla. – July 23, 2015 – The State of Florida has recognized Rogers Park Golf Course by listing it on the National Register of Historic Places. This milestone will be recognized during the regular board meeting of the Tampa Sports Authority at 4:00 PM on July 27th, 2015. The meeting will be held in the boardroom of the Authority offices located at 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway (south end of Raymond James Stadium).
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archaeological resources. For more information, go to http://www.floridatrust.org/news-events/national-register-of-historic-places-2014-florida-additions.
Rogers Park Golf Course, built in 1952, has evolved as one of Tampa, Florida's best-kept secrets. The beautiful 18-hole golf facility is steeped in history and rich in heritage. During the days of segregation, Rogers Park was the only picnic area for the African-American community in Tampa. The park took the name of its contributor, G.D. Rogers. Mayor Curtis Hixon gave permission to a group of local golfers to build a 9-hole golf course.The first Head Golf Professional, Willie Black, directed his group of volunteers, and with meticulous care, all of the tree removal and shaping was done by hand. Upon its completion in 1952, the Rogers Park Golf Club was born.
In 1976, the City of Tampa gave management rights to the newly formed Tampa Sports Authority, and a $400,000 renovation project began. In 2000, the Tampa Sports Authority decided that a $4 million renovation was needed. An array of other landscaping and reshaping of holes was added to enhance the character of Rogers Park Golf Course, and in 2001, a new maintenance compound was completed and followed by a new clubhouse in 2002.
The Tampa Sports Authority is the manager of Raymond James Stadium and three city golf courses as well as the landlord for George Steinbrenner Field and the Amalie Arena. For more information, go to www.tampasportsauthority.com.
Contact: Bobby Silvest
813-350-6504
bsilvest@tampasportsauthority.com