Mark Mahannah, Sr. was a key contributor to the impressive golf course architecture in the state of Florida. Growing up Fort Lauderdale, he would eventually attend the University of Florida.

Mahannah’s first step into the golf architecture industry was becoming a member of the construction crew for William S. Flynn, who was constructing hotel courses in Boca Raton. After working on a few of Flynn’s projects, he would move on to become the head greenkeeper at Miami Biltmore Country Club. Mahannah also served as a technical advisor on turf problems during World War II at his army post in Florida.

After the war, Mahannah would take responsibility for redesigning one of the courses at Miami Biltmore Country Club. This led to other contracts, and he moved to full-time practice in the early 1950s. During his time as a golf course architect, he would help change the landscape of golf in Florida through his designs and redesigns. Mahannah retired from active design in the late 1970s.

Manhannah was elected into ASGCA in 1961 and promoted to Fellow status in 1976. Manhannah was an active member for 30 years until his death in 1991.