Some of the golf artifacts currently on display at the Museum of the Islands on Pine Island. PROVIDED
The Museum of the Islands on Pine Island has a new exhibit that displays golf artifacts, including antique “Plus fours” (golf knickers) and original vintage postcards of Useppa Island, Boca Grande and Havana Country Club golf courses.
Also on display are 100-year-old antique signature golf clubs from Useppa Island golf professionals, including Bill Mehlhorn, Andy Campbell and Earl Dean. Earl Dean was mentored by Walter Fovargue, golf professional at Skokie Country Club in Chicago. On display are two old Fovargue clubs: a smooth face iron and an anti-shank iron. In the early 1900s, when Dean was the golf pro on Useppa, Fovargue clubs were sold on the island.
Other clubs include those from Harry Cowie, Boca Grande golf pro from 1913 through the 1920s. Cowie led construction at the Boca Grande Gulf Shore Golf Club between 1913 and 1915 and was then retained as professional, clubmaker and instructor.
Also featured is a club from Charlie Boyle. He was an excellent amateur player in Carnoustie, Scotland at the start of the 20th century, regularly winning local competitions and featuring in the Scottish Amateur Championship. He eventually became the Havana Country Club golf pro from 1916 to 1945.
There is also an autographed photo of Gene Sarazen, Golf Grand Slam winner, longtime Sanibel and Marco Island resident.
The exhibit includes a binder of articles dating back to the early 1900s that feature early American golf on the islands of Southwest Florida.
The Museum of the Islands is at 5728 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia — just north of The Center by the Pine Island Library. For information, call 239-283-1525.
