Biltmore Hotel

Designed by Donald Ross in 1925 the former municipal course in Coral Gables fell into disrepair late in the 20th century but was saved by the famous Biltmore Hotel and restored by Brian Silva in 2007.

Peter nominated The Biltmore as a gem in November 2015. Peter’s comments follow:

“The Biltmore in Coral Gables, FL was designed by Donald Ross in 1925 and plays to a par 71 and is 6,742 yards in length. When I was young the once prestigious and imposing hotel it was built to complement had been repurposed as a Veterans Administration hospital and I would be a bit unnerved by the patients who often sat stone-faced beside the 12th tee as I hit off. The course was restored in 2007 by Brian Silva and now has a different routing from what I played years ago but all the same holes remain. There is water to avoid and doglegs to challenge and Biltmore is certainly worth a visit.”

In July 2018 the Biltmore’s course closed for another Brian Silva restoration which completed in January 2019. The project was inspired by the original plans Donald Ross drafted in 1925 and the work included tee to green Bermuda re-grassing, bunker additions and lengthening – the course now measures more than 7,100 yards from the tips.

Silva commented as follows: “We sought to bring back Ross’ original characteristics of play, which has a great deal of movement, and the result is a spectacular course that will maintain the playing interests of an accomplished golfer while also being manageable for all levels of players to enjoy.”