Pine Tree Golf Club
Designed by Dick Wilson
History
Boynton Beach in 1960 was still a sleepy stretch of Florida coastline, years away from the wave of development that would later reshape the region. Into that quiet setting came a group of members determined to build something private, deliberate, and lasting — a club unbothered by resort traffic or public ambition. They hired Dick Wilson, then at the height of his powers, to give shape to their vision.
Wilson had already built a national reputation through courses like Laurel Valley and NCR South, and by 1960 his name carried weight among clubs serious about their golf. At Pine Tree, he worked with land that offered him a blank canvas rather than dramatic topography, and his response was a course built on discipline rather than spectacle. The routing reflected the same rigor he brought to his other championship-caliber work — a design meant to test accomplished players without leaning on gimmickry.
Pine Tree has remained a private club in the truest sense since its founding, guarding its character rather than chasing publicity or tournament hosting duties. Its history is one of continuity — the same architectural bones from 1960 largely intact, tended by a membership more interested in preserving Wilson’s original intent than reinventing it.
Playing Notes
Expect flat terrain and tree-lined corridors rather than dramatic elevation change — the challenge here comes from the canopy, not the ground. Mature pines pinch several fairways, so off-line tee shots get punished by a lost angle into the green more often than by a lost ball, which puts a premium on shot shape and club selection over raw distance. Greens are small by modern standards and firm enough that approach shots need to land with a plan, not just a number. Water comes into play on a handful of holes but isn't the round's defining hazard; the bigger test is stringing together accurate iron play under the trees for 18 straight holes. Walking is feasible given the level ground, though carts are available and commonly used. Bring your mid-iron game and patience — this isn't a course where a hot driver bails you out.