PGA National Resort & Spa Announces Opening of Renovated Palmer Course

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – PGA National Resort & Spa – home of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic and former Ryder Cup venue – announces its newly renovated Palmer Course will reopen for play Nov. 10.

Fittingly named after its original designer and the game’s greatest legend, Arnold Palmer, the course changes were executed in consultation with the Arnold Palmer Design Company. In 1984, with Arnie’s Army cheering like mad on his every shot, Palmer captured the PGA Seniors Championship played on the legendary resort’s mighty Champion Course.

“Our ‘new’ Palmer Course ensures the legend of the great Mr. Palmer will grow nothing but stronger for years to come here at PGA National,” says Greg Saunders, vice president, managing director. “We offer a golf experience few resorts can match with five exceptional courses, world-class amenities and advanced instruction that is second to none.”

Perhaps most notably, golfers will discover all 62 bunkers on The Palmer have been modernized and reshaped to improve sight lines off the tee as well as on approach shots into the greens. Also, all 18 fairways were re-turfed with scientifically-advanced Celebration grass – a deep blue-green bermudagrass that has finished best in numerous university research studies and safeguards prime playing conditions year-round.

Multiple tee-boxes on all holes were added to create greater playability. Providing additional visual appeal, the native areas have undergone a complete overhaul with the addition of fresh, naturalcolored Coquina creating an appealing contrast to the new sand in the bunkers and vibrant turf on the fairways.

All the greens were re-built and re-grassed to honor the shape and contours of Palmer’s original design. The renovation has added over half-an-acre to the total square-footage of the putting surfaces thus allowing for additional pin placements for both tournaments and everyday play.

“The overall goal was to build upon core principals of the original design while taking advantage of the opportunity to make key agronomic, strategic and aesthetic improvements to the course,” says Brandon Johnson, vice president and senior golf course architect of the Arnold Palmer Design Company. “The changes will meet the demands of the modern game and subtly reflect how our company’s design philosophy has evolved since originally opening the course in 1984.”

“It was wonderful to work closely with Brandon and his team from the Arnold Palmer Design Company,” says Brad Nelson, PGA National’s director of agronomy. “Our members and guests are going to love the changes to The Palmer as a great course is now even better.”

For more on PGA National Resort & Spa: www.pgaresort.com, 561.627.2000.