Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club history

At age 19, Joe qualified for and competed in the 1978 United States Open at Cherry Hills.

The 1981 winner was young Hal Sutton of Shreveport, Louisiana who hoisted the trophy after scoring a three over par 213 in the three day event.

Nathaniel Crosby, son of the legendary crooner and golf enthusiast Bing Crosby, used that exemption to play in the 1982 event which was won by Dick Siderowf with a three day total of one over par.

The first remodeling project came in 1983 and consisted of $250,000 worth of improvements, such as work on the Men’s Grill and Card Room and the new carpets.

That tournament record was not equaled until 1988 when David Smith matched Murphy’s total of five under par.

In 2005, Peter Dachisen, currently a PGA Tour rules official, set a new record by shooting a six under 204 in his lap of that year’s field and setting the single round scoring record with an eight under 62.

Gil was honored at a huge retirement/appreciation celebration in 2008, during which Bob Ford (head pro at Oakmont and Seminole) spoke about his first job in the golf industry at Palma Ceia working for Gil as an assistant in the pro shop.

In 2009, a new golf pro shop was built as Bobby Weed was renovating the golf course.

Bobby Weed’s work won renovation of the year in 2012 by Golf Inc.

In 2015, the clubhouse again experienced renovations, including a complete reconstruction of the 19th Hole, the formal dining room (renamed Bendelow’s in honor of the original course designer), and the bar.

For More Information Most of my information in this article comes from newspaper clippings available online, the Gasparilla Invitational website, and Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club: A Centennial Celebration which was mailed to the membership in 2016.

An intimate crowd surrounding the 18th green in the 2020 Gasparilla Invitational.