Scenic Hills at Scenic Hills Country Club

Scenic Hills Country Club sits in the rolling terrain north of Pensacola, a landscape uncommon in the Florida Panhandle where elevation changes are rare. The course was originally designed by Chic Adams and opened in the 1960s, establishing itself as a fixture in the region's golf community. In the 1980s, former U.S. Open champion Jerry Pate, who had transitioned into course design, undertook a renovation that reshaped much of the routing and strategic character. Pate's work emphasized the property's natural contours and incorporated more modern design principles while maintaining the layout's playability for a range of skill levels.

The routing moves through stands of pine and hardwood, with fairways that rise and fall across the property's ridges and valleys. Water comes into play on several holes, and the greens feature enough movement to reward precise approach shots. The layout balances risk-reward opportunities with straightforward holes, making it suitable for both competitive play and everyday rounds. Scenic Hills has hosted regional amateur events and qualifiers over the years, serving as a testing ground for players in northwest Florida.

The club operates as a private facility with a membership drawn largely from the Pensacola area. It functions as a traditional country club with golf as the central amenity, complemented by social and dining programs. The course remains a well-regarded layout in a region where elevation and tree-lined corridors distinguish it from the flatter, links-influenced designs found closer to the Gulf Coast.