Bayou/Lakeview at A.C. Read Golf Club

A.C. Read Golf Club sits in Pensacola on Florida's western panhandle, offering two distinct nines—Bayou and Lakeview—designed by Bill Amick and former U.S. Open champion Jerry Pate. The course opened in the 1980s as part of a municipal facility serving the Pensacola area, and it reflects the collaborative approach of Amick, a regional architect with numerous Florida credits, and Pate, who transitioned from competitive golf to course design during that decade. The pairing of nines allows for varied routing options and accommodates different skill levels within a single facility.

The Bayou nine takes its character from the low-lying wetland corridors common to the Gulf Coast region, with holes routed around natural water features and native vegetation. The Lakeview nine, as its name suggests, incorporates more open water hazards and likely offers broader vistas across ponds and lakes. The terrain is relatively flat, typical of coastal Florida, which places emphasis on strategic bunkering, water placement, and green contouring to create challenge and interest. The design reflects the accessible, playable style that characterized many municipal and daily-fee courses of the era.

A.C. Read serves as a public facility, drawing local residents and visitors to the Pensacola area. The club provides straightforward golf in a setting shaped by the region's bayous, wetlands, and coastal plain topography, offering a practical option for golfers seeking an affordable round in northwest Florida.