By Leonard Finkel
Fresh off its comprehensive multi-million revitalization, PGA National Resort & Spa is a world-class golf, vacation and meeting destination located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The resort is a AAA Four Diamond hotel featuring 90 holes of championship golf; a European Spa; 39,000 square feet of self-contained conference space; 339 guest rooms and luxurious, themed suites plus eight on-site restaurants and lounges.
The South Florida locale is home to the famed Champion Course, host to the PGA TOUR Honda Classic and past site of the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and a litany of other professional golf tournaments. The Champion hosted the 23rd season of Golf Channel’s “Big Break” in 2015.
Golf:
PGA National’s golf courses include:
Champion – Originally laid out by Tom and George Fazio and redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, The Champion now has 62 new bunkers. Home to the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic, it features the famous “Bear Trap”- a series of three demanding holes which USA Today recognized as “one of the toughest stretches in golf.”
Palmer –Known as a thrilling shot-maker’s course and perfect complement to The Champion, it recently experienced a comprehensive renovation. Golfers will discover all the bunkers have been modernized and reshaped to improve sight lines off the tee as well as on approaches into the greens. All 18 fairways were re-turfed with scientifically-advanced Celebration grass which provides prime playing conditions year-round. The Palmer has a great series of finishing holes, with No. 18 being one of the most scenic and picturesque par-5’s in Florida.
Fazio – The Fazio is a complete renovation of “The Haig” – PGA National’s original 18-hole course opened in 1980. It was designed by George and Tom Fazio in tribute to five-time PGA champion Walter Hagen. As the third member of the lauded Fazio family to work on The Haig, Tom Fazio II spearheaded the efforts to modernize this layout.
Squire – The shortest of the five courses, The Squire is named after the immortal Gene Sarazen, the first golfer ever to win the professional Grand Slam. George and Tom Fazio designed it to be a test of accuracy and precision. It’s been dubbed, “the thinking man’s course.” Many doglegs bring an array of wildlife alongside the course, adjacent to a natural environmental area.
Estates – Originally designed by Karl Litten, this recently renovated course is a short drive from resort grounds, and features a mixture of sand, water and lush fairways and greens. Winding through open meadows lined with Florida Pines and subtropical foliage, it provides a scenic challenge.
Additional services and facilities include the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, three practice facilities that provide over 150 stations for long- and short-game tune-ups and a full-service golf shop. Forecaddies and traditional walking caddies are available on all courses.
At the Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, golfers learn proven short game and putting techniques from the game’s leading experts. A soft-landing pitch over a sand trap? A confounding breaking putt on fast greens? A daunting escape from a greenside bunker? Dialing in those “in-between” wedge distances? The Pelz instructors specialize in the shots and skills linked closest to scoring, those inside of 100 yards. Pelz data says golfers “lose 80 percent of their shots to par” in that range. Offered in One-, Two- or Three-Day School programs, the Pelz School runs a fast-moving agenda, geared toward improved techniques and designing a path to long-term improvement. To learn more, visit www.pelzgolf.com.
Accommodations:
In addition to the floor-to-ceiling makeover of its 339 guest rooms, individually-themed specialty accommodations are ideal for weddings and honeymoons. Guests will discover spacious high-tech living areas with stunning property views from a private terrace or balcony and creature comforts galore.
One-bedroom Media Rooms take the “Man Cave” concept to a sophisticated level. Crystal-clear large screen HD TVs, rich chocolate countertops, glass tiles and comfortable wrap-around sofas all make for the ultimate media experience while lounging in 21st century style.
Two elegant Spa Suites feature soothing ocean or rich earthen tones, luxurious king-size beds, spacious living area with sofa and comfortable side chairs and large soaking tubs and walk-in showers. A second door from the bathroom leads to a private spa area complete with a professional massage table. In-room massages and facials are available on request.
Fitness & Spa:
The 33,000-square-foot fitness facility recently underwent a $4 million facelift. Upgrades include state-of-the-art exercise equipment, indoor racquet ball court, three aerobics studios with sound systems, five-lane saltwater lap pool, spin room with video road mapping, indoor volleyball court, two lighted pickle / paddle ball courts, 18 Har Tru tennis courts (11 lit for night play) and one lighted hard court with a hitting wall.
Rated as “Best Spa in Palm Beach County,” by Florida Weekly and recently named in the Top 25 US Spas by Conde Nast Traveler, The Spa blends stunning surroundings, lavish amenities and impeccable personal service. Whether looking for an invigorating massage or a specially designed treatment, it’s all here. The Spa is an expansive 40,000 square-foot European style facility featuring 32 treatment rooms and areas with 100 diverse treatments, the exclusive “Waters of the World” outdoor mineral pools, full-service salon and relaxing lounge areas. PGA National recently renovated the ladies lounge with sleek furnishings, contemporary décor and steam rooms, saunas and indoor whirlpools.
The Waters of the World is a private collection of healing mineral pools with ancient restorative powers. Salts and minerals are imported from around the globe to create this distinctive attraction including the Salies de Bearn pool from the French Pyrenees and Dead Sea pool from Israel. A HydraFacial combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration while delivering antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid, peptides and other essential nutrients.
Dining:
Dining at the PGA National Resort is something to be savored. With eight onsite restaurants and lounges – from Ironwood Steak & Seafood’s fine steaks and fresh seafood, to the sophisticated iBAR’s drinks and light fare, to the crisp cuisine of the poolside Wave Bar and Grill and lavish breakfast buffet of the Palm Terrace – there is something for any palate.
Convenient to major Florida population centers, the resort is 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport and one hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Leonard Finkel is the author of The Secrets to the Game of Golf & Life and former editor in chief of Golf Journeys Magazine. His work has been featured in almost 200 publications including Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Golf Illustrated, Golf Tips and Player Magazine. He has written more than a dozen cover stories for Golf Today Magazine. He has written extensively about golf and travel and has added poker to his writing repertoire. Finkel also works as a marketing and public relations consultant. His specialty niche is writing advertorial copy. Prior to his career in golf, Finkel owned a chain of retail stores and a consulting and import company based in Asia. He attended the University of Utah.