Rocky Point Golf Course (Tampa, FL) Rocky Point Golf Course (Tampa, FL) Rocky Point Golf Course is a public 18-hole golf course in Tampa, Florida that is managed by the Tampa Sports Authority. Rocky Point Golf Course was established in 1911 by the Tampa Automobile Club as the Tampa Automobile and Golf Club, and changed its name to the Rocky Point Golf Club in 1917. It was one of the first golf courses in the state of Florida. The course originally opened in 1912 with the first 9 holes, and construction was completed in 1913. The course was open for 31 years until the US entered
Merion Golf Club until 1941. Hugh Wilson had never designed a golf course, so he went on a seven-month trip to Scotland and England to study British courses. Several features of Merion East are derived from famous British courses, not the least of which are Merion's distinctive Scottish-style bunkers, which are now known as the "white faces of Merion" (named by top amateur player Chick Evans). Wilson's layout covers only of land, a very small area for a golf course. It was ranked 5th in "Golf Digest"'s "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" in 2015, and Jack Nicklaus has said of Merion East, "Acre