Sharp Park Golf Course

Sharp Park Golf Course, is a Public, 18 hole golf course. Of all the public golf courses in San Francisco, Sharp Park arguably has the most distinguished pedigree and the deepest historical roots.  The course is located just 10 miles south of San Francisco alongside Salada Beach in Pacifica (San Mateo County), California.

Sharp Park Golf Course first opened for play in April 1932. The course was designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie. Mackenzie, a Golf Hall of Fame architect, also designed Augusta National (home of the Masters Championship), Cypress Point (often ranked as the finest course in the world), as well as scores of other famed courses around the world.

Although a few of MacKenzie’s original holes were abandoned by the City in 1941, the layout today remains largely intact.  

Blue tees: par-72, 6,494 yards, course rating 71.2, Slope rating 119.
White tees: par-72, 6,239 yards, course rating 70.0, Slope rating 116.
Red tees: par-72, 5,793 yards, course rating 72.9, Slope rating 120.

The land occupied by the golf course has an interesting history. It was once owned by George Sharp. Mr. Sharp arrived in San Francisco in 1849 having sailed from New York and around South America at age 22. Mr. Sharp became a prosperous lawyer. In October 1882, George Sharp dropped dead in court. Mr. Sharp's wife, Honora, lived until February 8, 1905, at which time her handwritten will directed that most of her property be turned over to her attorney, Reuben Lloyd, and to Adolph Spreckels. Both were millionaires. Both were San Francisco Park Commissioners.

Some of Honora Sharp's cousins contested the will and shortly thereafter, some of the San Francisco properties belonging to the estate were destroyed by fire in the great earthquake of 1906. In those pre-WW1 years, the 410-acre ranch on the remote San Mateo County Coast was valued at about $8,000. In 1916, for $10 in gold, Adolph Spreckels turned over his share of the estate to the city of San Francisco and the county. At this time John McLaren, of Golden Gate Park, began planting trees on the property. Eventually, Reuben Lloyd died and his share of the estate went to the executor, Samuel Murphey. Mr. Murphey turned over his share in the summer of 1917.

The Property, now known as Sharp Park, was stipulated to be used for park and recreational purposes only. If this agreement is ever breached, then the property will revert to the State of California, and if the state breaches the agreement, then it reverts to Mr. Murphey's heirs.