The Fort Mose Historical Society will host its 14th Annual Fort Mose Golf Tournament on June 15 at Marsh Creek Country Club in St. Augustine. Organizers say the event serves as one of the organization’s largest annual fundraisers and directly supports efforts to preserve and share the story of Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what is now the United States.
The “best ball” tournament welcomes both experienced golfers and beginners, but the event represents much more than a day on the course. Every registration, sponsorship and donation helps the Fort Mose Historical Society continue its educational programming, historical preservation efforts and community outreach initiatives throughout St. Augustine and beyond.
Founded in 1738, Fort Mose — officially known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose — became a refuge for formerly enslaved Africans seeking freedom under Spanish rule in Florida. Historians often describe the settlement as the destination of the original Underground Railroad, which moved south instead of north. Today, the site stands as one of the most historically significant locations in St. Johns County and remains a vital part of both local and national Black history. Local historians continue to emphasize the importance of preserving Fort Mose because the site tells a story that many never learned in school. Through tours, reenactments, cultural events and educational programs, the Fort Mose Historical Society works to ensure that future generations understand the courage and resilience of the people who built the settlement.
The annual golf tournament helps fund those efforts while also bringing the St. Augustine community together around a shared mission. Organizers encourage local businesses, residents and visitors to participate because the event strengthens public awareness and financial support for Fort Mose’s ongoing preservation. According to the Fort Mose Historical Society, tournament proceeds support the organization’s operating funds and its broader mission to “tell the Fort Mose story.” Those funds help maintain programming that attracts visitors, students and historians from across the country.
The tournament also highlights how deeply Fort Mose connects to the cultural identity of St. Augustine. While the city often receives attention for its colonial architecture and tourism industry, Fort Mose represents a different but equally important part of local history. The site demonstrates the role St. Augustine played in the broader fight for freedom centuries before the Civil War. In recent years, preservation groups and community advocates have worked to elevate awareness of Fort Mose through festivals, historical reenactments and educational partnerships. The golf tournament has become one of the organization’s signature annual events because it combines fundraising with community engagement in a relaxed and accessible environment.
This year’s tournament begins with an 8:45 a.m. shotgun start at Marsh Creek Country Club. Early registration costs $150 per golfer, with late registration increasing to $175 after June 7. Sponsors at multiple levels continue to play a major role in supporting the event and expanding its impact throughout Northeast Florida (Fort Mose Historical Society, 2026).
As St. Augustine continues to grow, community leaders say preserving Fort Mose remains essential. The site does more than commemorate the past- it creates opportunities for education, cultural understanding and meaningful conversations about freedom, resilience and American history.
For many residents, supporting the Fort Mose Golf Tournament offers a direct way to invest in preserving one of the nation’s most important historical landmarks while ensuring that the story of Fort Mose continues to inspire future generations.
