San Jose Country Club

San Jose Country Club occupies a historic site along the St. Johns River in Jacksonville's Mandarin neighborhood, where the original course was designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1925. The club represents one of Ross's Florida commissions from the 1920s land boom era, when he laid out dozens of courses across the state. The routing takes advantage of natural elevation changes uncommon in northeast Florida, with several holes playing along ridges and through corridors of mature live oaks draped in Spanish moss. The course has undergone significant modifications since Ross's original design. Bob Walker completed a renovation in the 1970s that altered several holes and updated playing features to accommodate modern equipment and maintenance practices. More recently, Dan Schlegel led a restoration effort aimed at recapturing elements of the Ross design philosophy while addressing contemporary playability standards. The work focused on green complexes, bunker styles, and strategic angles that reflect Ross's architectural principles. The property's setting along the river provides both scenic backdrop and strategic interest on several holes. The combination of water features, mature tree canopies, and rolling terrain creates variety in shot requirements and visual character throughout the round. San Jose has served as a venue for regional amateur competitions and maintains a traditional private club atmosphere. The membership has supported multiple phases of course improvement while preserving the site's historical connection to Ross and its place in Jacksonville's golf heritage.