By Barbara Palmgren
When I interviewed Liam Branagan, Director of Golf for Burnt Pine Golf Course, sitting in his new office where we viewed golfers through the large glass windows, I asked a question: Where did Burnt Pine get its name? I currently serve on the Board of Trustees at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. So, I’m always curious about the history of Northwest Florida.
Other golf courses I visited have names that are logical and reflect the community or city in which they reside e.g. Regatta Bay, Emerald Bay, Shalimar Pointe, etc. But, Burnt Pine? It’s an unusual name for the most prestigious private golf course in Sandestin.
Liam said a fire destroyed part of the pine forest in this area prior to the golf course development in 1994. Thus, the name “Burnt Pine.”
I know from research and celebration of our past, that the pine tree was part of the turpentine industry in the late 1800’s through mid-1900’s supplying Naval Store products such as turpentine and tar for ships in the United States and Europe. The pine tree itself is believed to be among the oldest on Earth and some can live as long as 6,000 years.
I spent some time on Google, and learned briefly about a fire in a portion of the woods near the development of this gated community. I can envision a single burnt pine, leafless and lonely, that now proudly is the logo for this beautiful course that consistently ranks within the top 20 courses in Florida (by Golfweek since 2016.)
If James Taylor was a member at Burnt Pine, perhaps he would sing these words:
I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain,
See a golf course comin’ though the pain,
Of a fire that almost got in our way,
But you rose to bring us joy again.
My body’s achin’ and my time is at hand,
Will I make it through another 18 holes?
But this sunny day, golfing with my friends,
Know I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain,
Know I’ll always play this course again.
Know I’ll always play this course again.
Designed by renowned golf architect Rees Jones, Burnt Pine is challenging as well as beautiful. A 7,000-yard layout with rolling fairways and strategically placed bunkers newly renovated in 2023, golfers can play the course from seven sets of tees. Private memberships beginning at an initiation fee of $10,000 for social memberships and $30,000 for golf memberships, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort guests can also book tee times up to six months in advance.
The clubhouse underwent renovation last year and work was completed in March, 2024. Members enjoy access to a fitness center as well as a dining room that offers lunches, specialty dinners, a Sunday brunch and more.
Liam Branagan, Director of Golf since 2019, has been active in the golf business for more than 27 years, working also at the other Sandestin courses and for Meadowbrook Golf beginning in the late 1990’s. Born and raised in the Rochester, New York area, Liam opted to move to the Florida Panhandle in 1997. He traded snowy winters for unlimited sun and sand. Not a bad trade! Liam likes all sports, including skateboarding and paddleboarding with his children to stay active. With a loving family and two young sons, Liam is busy on and off the course.
I asked Liam to tell me about his favorite hole. He chose the challenging number 4 hole, a Par 4 that presents a difficult shot to a small green guarded by two bunkers. It’s his favorite, because the first time he played the hole, he eagled it! Yes, an eagle on the number 1 most difficult hole on Burnt Pine. Liam admits it was a one-time miracle, because history hasn’t repeated itself for him on that hole again…yet.
Liam credits an outstanding staff and a membership “like no other” for the continued success of Burnt Pine Golf Club. He often sees members in their golf carts not only playing golf, but headed to numerous other area activities as well as to do volunteer work at the local hospital. Supporting community charity tournaments is also a high priority for the club. Last year, among those that benefited were Sacred Heart and the Chi Chi Miguel Tournament of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
Nestled among the pines that are very much alive and the busy traffic along Highway 98, sits a pristine golf course ranked highly by many golf magazines. A private golf course, memberships are available for you to join 500 other members who know the value of a day of golf at this one-of-a-kind course. And, if it rains, there’s always working out at the fitness center or sipping a mimosa in the dining room.
Just another day in paradise at this treasure of the Emerald Coast.
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