The history of The Country Club at Boca Raton

In 1979, Texaco decided to sell both the "north" and "south" courses, as their holdings in the Boca del Mar Planned Unit Development were being sold. It was then that a group of interested members from each course formed the "Boca del Mar Membership Committee" to investigate the possibility of purchasing the "north" course. Under the chairmanship of Judge James F. Minnet, Retired, the group opened negotiations with Texaco and formed an organization and financial structure for the Club.

The committee went to work in earnest to form the Boca del Mar Country Club, Inc., secure a Florida charter as a nonprofit corporation, transfer all licenses, review Texaco's outstanding commitments, develop a financial plan for purchase and operation and develop an operating mode, including by laws, operating policies, insurance, golf, tennis and social programs.

Further negotiations finalizing all the details of the sale with the settlement with Texaco, Inc. on December 29, 1980. The Boca del Mar Country Club commenced operation on January 2, 1981.

The first board took an active role in the management of activities to affect a transition from the character of a promotional activity fostering the development and sale of real estate, to a true member-oriented country club. It secured a golf professional, developed a program to replace aging golf cars and equipment, instituted an insurance program and provided for maintenance, repair and upgrading of facilities. It established the club owned pro shop, operated under the management of the Golf Professional, where members could purchase golf equipment, clothing and accessories at attractive discounts.

The Boca del Mar Golf Course was built in 1972 and opened for play the same year. The clubhouse was built in 1974. By 1987 both the course and clubhouse were showing sings of wear and tear and major improvements were becoming essential.

Another priority approved by the Board of Governors in January 1989 was for the Chairmen of Grounds & Green to interview golf course architects regarding rebuilding the greens and tees and obtain estimated costs,

In February 1989 a special briefing "Future of the Golf Course" was presented to the Board of Governors, whereby the Board agreed that a new irrigation system was required and our greens and tees should be rebuilt. The services of a golf course architect, Charles F. Ankrom of Stuart Florida, were contracted in June 1989 and plans and designs were obtained in September of the same year.