Celebrated Jack Nicklaus design reopens Sept. 2 after major bunker renewal
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida – PGA National Resort, South Florida’s world-class golf, vacation, culinary, events and spa destination, announces that its famed Champion Course will reopen for resort guest and member play on Sept. 2 after an extensive bunker renovation on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout.
Led by Nicklaus Design, construction over the summer resulted in all bunkers on The Champion Course being rebuilt or eliminated to ensure the absolute best in playability and strategy. The Champion’s bunkers account for more than two acres of the celebrated 18, which hosts the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic annually. The bunkers are now equipped with new subsurface drainage, “Better Billy Bunker” liners, and eye-catching G-Angle sand.
In addition to the impressive bunker renovation, The Champion Course now also features a major rework of its cart paths as well as new sod throughout. The upgrades join the stunning results of the resort’s recent $100 million transformation touching most every aspect of the legendary South Florida destination. PGA National Resort’s 99 holes of extraordinary golf also now features two new bold and innovative Andy Staples-designed layouts which both opened in 2021 to rave reviews, The Match and The Staple courses.
The mighty Champion Course with its notorious “Bear Trap” has long been feared and revered as one of the most challenging in the game. Resort guests can try and tackle The Champion Course this fall when taking advantage of the popular Gold Golf Package with rates starting at $560 (per person, per night, double occupancy).
The exceptional stay-and-play is highlighted by luxury accommodations with private balcony or terrace; grab-and-go breakfast each morning; one round of golf daily on The Fazio, The Match or The Estate courses as well as play on The Champion Course and The Palmer Course available with a surcharge; unlimited range balls / golf bag storage; and complimentary access to the resort’s state-of-the-art Sports & Racquet Club.
“With the exciting work from Nicklaus Design complete, our celebrated Champion Course is now better than ever,” says Jane Broderick, director of golf. “We invite you to visit us and play our ‘bucket list’ Champion Course, new Match and Staple courses, and also savor our world-class accommodations and amenities that few golf destinations can equal.”
Additionally, as part of the substantial investment, the resort launched six new culinary concepts showcasing signature restaurants, including James Beard Award nominee and “Top Chef” winner Jeremy Ford and multiple James Beard Award nominee Lindsay Autry. Guests can enjoy a new high-end chocolatier, ice cream shop, brand-new kids club, and a reimagined 40,000-square-foot Spa, just a few of the latest offerings throughout PGA National Resort.
A golf lover’s dream location, PGA National Resort features extraordinary instruction at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, and Full Process Golf – the world’s first science-based and statistical data-driven training system for golf improvement – located at its off-site Estate Course. PGA National Resort additionally offers state-of-the-art club fitting.
For more information about PGA National Resort: visit www.pgaresort.com
