Publisher’s Letter
David Lihn Publisher/Author
Matthew Richards Chelsey Phywphong
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lorida is the home of countless championship golf courses and PGAsanctioned tournaments. The PGA Tour and Champions Tour begin their Florida swing in February and, fromTampa down and across to Miami, the action gets heated.
Editorial Coordinators
Melody Partrick Copy Editor
Noelia Cruz Graphic Designer
Emmett Shine Cover Artist
Noelia Cruz Map Design
Emmett Shine Contributing Photographer
Trevor W. Jackson Alden Modesto Golf Consultants
Barry Olfern Anthony Palermo
Additionally, the history of golf in the United States is chronicled in Florida: at theWorld Golf Museum outside of Jacksonville; in the clubhouse at TP Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra; and at the PGA of America’s PGA Village on theTreasure Coast in Port St. Lucie (where an estimable library enhancesthe golf lore). And thousands of private country clubs and thousands more municipal trackssprinkletheFloridalandscape,providingwintersolaceforsnowbirds and tourists. GolfSchoolsaboundandofferthoseescapingthecoldintheNorthplaying and course lessons to bring back expertise in the springtime.
Sales and Advertising
Henry E. Lihn Voranon Maliwan Marketing and Distribution
Lee E. Miller, Esq. Administration
North Palm Beach, the home of the PGA National Resort & Spa, hosts the Honda Classic from February 25 to March 2, and more than 125,000 fans and spectatorsareanticipatedtowatchthetouringprosbattlethenewly-renovated Jack Nicklaus Champion course under the soft Florida skies.
Katherine R. Lihn Inspirational Consulting
CALEV PRINT MEDIA
333 South Miami Avenue, Suites 101 & 102 Miami, FL 33130 TEL: 786-837-2330/FAX: 305-672-4044 Lihn’s Golf Guides, LLC are published annually Lihn’s Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast Golf Guide 2008 (646) 342-1892 (809) 706-5151 E-mail: info@lihnsgolf.com All contents Copyright © 2007 by Lihn’s Golf Guides, LLC All rights reserved LGG is also the author of Lihn’s Best of Orlando 2001,Lihn’sBestofOrlando,TampaandJacksonville GolfGuide2002,Lihn’sBestofScottsdaleandArizona 2003, Lihn’s Hawaii Golf Guide 2006. Lihn’s Best of Northern of Michigan 2004-05 Golf Guide 2006. Lihn’s Best of Thailand series 2004-2007 (and Japanese edition 2007). Lihn’s Dominican Republic Golf Guide 2007 The reproduction or use, in whole or in part, of any contents of this magazine without prior written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. LGG is not responsible for any unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork.
With the help of Director of Golf, Jane Broderick, we have presented a hole-by-hole guide to that fearsome track to enhance your view of the proceedings. Enjoy the visual journey,page-by-page, through30PalmBeach and Treasure Coast courses. Renovations abound: PGA Village, Binks Forest, North Palm Beach and—of course—our star, the PGA National. Enjoy the ride and the show.
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P u b l i s h e r ’s L e t t e r
Emmett Shine Media/Web Consultant
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PGA National Resort & Spa Feature • The Champion • The Palmer • The Squire • The Estate • The Haig
Lihn’s Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast Golf Guide 2008
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PGA National Resort & Spa
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waying palms and stately pines, bobbing ducks and migrating geese, colorful flowerbeds and native sawgrass—and dispersed platoons of happy, diligent golfers—accouter the sweeping, bustling golfing grounds that comprise the 27-year old, classic PGA National Resort & Spa. And on a crisp, late December morning—dimpled with sun-shine; under an ice-blue, cloud-dappled sky (purfled in powder-puff, windblown finery); and bespeckled with polka-dot silhouettes of streaming, flocking birds—a remarkable rejuvenation is taking place. I am standing on a South Florida
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tee-box, under a singular celestial umbrella, surveying the rejuvenation of a hotel, clubhouse and two of five golf courses. Tractors hum in frenetic concert, saws and hammers echo a staccato melody, and hundreds of hard-hatted workers are sedulously focused on a melody of massive restoration of this estimable resort.
This is a rebirth of Big Time golf... From senescence to sensational. It is a corybantic concert of effort and revival, and everyone is caught up in the event. This is a rebirth of Big Time golf. Yet tendrils of tradition seem
to wrap around the property and you feel and sniff the history and patrimony—and now the brio—that pervades the 2,340 luxury, residential acres surrounding and comprising this resort with its 339 guest rooms, 40,000 square foot luxurious Spa, and capacious Health & Racquet Club (19 Har-Tru courts) and—a highlight!—five croquet lawns. It’s cheerful, commodious, panoramic, bedizened by smiles and steeped in golfing tradition. During the 1983 Ryder Cup, with teams captained by Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, it was tied at 8/8 going into Sunday. It all came down to the final singles match between
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PGA National Resort & Spa seven years ago,” stated Joe Paige, the managing director of the new owner. “We intend on putting this storied resort back on the map,” smiled a pensive Mr. Paige. “In this phase of the restoration, we are pumping more than $40 million into core, capital improvements: driveway entrance, lobby, pools, restaurants seven, pavilion, Members’ Club [nearly 2,000 members—and very happy] and the Palmer Course.”
It’s cheerful, commodious, pano-ramic, bedizened by smiles and steeped in golfing tradition.
Lihn’s Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast Golf Guide 2008
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Tom Watson and Bernard Gallacher which Watson won 2 & 1 allowing the US to win 14 1/2 to 13 1/2. Many may remember the playoff in the 1987 PGA Championship where Larry Nelson beat Lanny Watkins, but the shot of the tournament was Mark McCumber’s gutsy attempt to tie by trying to reach the 18th in two: hitting driver/driver, but came up short in the water on the right. And Palmer and Nicklaus and Couples… A renaissance is occurring and the thrilling frission of expectation and anticipatory delight is mounting. “This resort fell off the map
“We have both a long history and a current commitment to honor. And there is a new generation of golfers who deserve a round or two on this facility.” He is smiling warmly, yet again. “We have signed on the Honda Classic for six years and the February 25 PGA Tour event will be on national TV with a great field.” PGA National—in addition to its venerable tradition—has a
compelling present and an elaborate future. The tradition is inculcated in the enthusiastic and loyal staff. “They bring an ethic of service to the resort,” according to Jane Broderick, who started here in 1985 (in the bag room) and has steadily worked her way through a myriad of golf operations: she managed the starting times, the pro shop, tournament operations, earned her PGA and LPGA credentials, became the Head Professional for 13 years (during which she was named, three times, the LPGA’s Professional of the Year), and now is the Director of Golf Operations overseeing 150,000 rounds of golf and 1,800 members. And she is raising a son and dog. She smiles also (a lot): “PGA National Resort & Spa opened its doors and fairways in 1981. Since then, The Champion Course has hosted the 1982 Grand Slam, the1983 Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA Championship, a World Cup, more than two decades of Seniors tournaments, and Junior PGA events,” she recounts. “One of the best moments
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PGA National Resort & Spa
I recall was during a recent Optimist International Junior Golf Championship, which is one of the premier junior events held worldwide with over 800 players from upwards of 30 countries. On the 3rd hole of the Squire (a par-3), an eight-year old hit his tee shot next to a pine tree near the green. Unable to swing at the ball right-handed because of the tree, he asked a rules official if he could bounce the ball off the tree. He did, resulting in a birdie 2! That re-defines ‘no fear’!" “A single owner drove all of this activity for 24 successful years. We had gotten a little tired and lost some momentum. The new ownership has changed all of that. We are back on track now and, for the second year, we are hosting the PGA Tour's Honda Classic.” From senescence to sensational. “There is a renewed commitment to excellence. And all of us who
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are devoted to our members and our facility are proud of our new, polished, energetic direction,” she smiled, her convictions so cheerfully apodictic. Joel and Jane returned, in our separate conversations, to the leitmotif of service. “One of the compelling reasons for Walton’s interest in this acquisition was the standard of loyalty and service of the personnel perceived in the course of due diligence,” Joel states.
According to Jane, nearly a dozen employees have been at PGA National for 10 years or more. “It’s a dedicated staff.” “We have developed a Tournament Services Program with four full-time, hands-on staffers, and we provide—without a doubt—the best service in Florida for our golfers,” she insists. “We manage more than 1,200 tournaments a year. “Any group of eight or more golfers is assigned a coordinator for their entire stay. They receive golf cart plates, personalized scorecards, rule books, yardage cards, pre-arrival bag-tags. We have so many repeat customers,” she grins, “and they ask for Tina, or Jason, or Rebecca or Jamie. It’s personalized, great, customer service!” It’s also dedication and one witnesses it walking the grounds. PGA National has five golf courses (“…championship courses,”
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PGA National Resort & Spa Joel reminds me), four on site, and the Estate, five miles to the west (a fun favorite among many members).
It’s cheerful, commodious, panoramic, bedizened by smiles and steeped in golfing tradition.
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the Stonewall GC and designed by Karl Litten in 1984, was purchased in 1988. It features a more casual atmosphere with houses set back from the fairways and “a laid-back, tranquil atmosphere,” Jane observes. “It has a quiet, homey feel.” A new clubhouse was constructed in 2007 and an elaborate $400,000 practice facility was completed in January 2008.
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“The Champion is the premier course,” states Jane, “and it has undergone a substantial face-lift since the new ownership came on board.” Designed by George Fazio and his nephew, Tom, “The Champ” debuted in 1981. It was redesigned in 1990 by Jack Nicklaus (he lives nearby) and completely renovated in 2002. The Nicklaus Design Team coordinated further design changes in 2006 and, again, in 2007. The care shows: it is meticulously groomed and edged, and burnished by the apparent zeal of the groundskeepers. “We have revived that tradition,” Joel said. The General Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, also, has been redesigned and it reopened in early December 2007 as the Palmer Course. “We are doing whatever it
takes to re-position PGA National Resort as the best golf destination in Florida,” Joel asserts. And this comes from the man who ran Doral for 12 years. “The Palmer is my favorite,” grinned Jane, “especially after the renovations. “It’s more scenic, has great Forward tees and is getting rave reviews.” The new turf is aided by a new irrigation system and native landscaping adds color to the links layout. Many of the holes and bunkers have been reshaped. A double fairway at the par-5 12th adds some excitement, as does its double-green shared by the par-4 8th. The Squire, named after Gene Sarazen, opened in October 1981. “It’s the shortest course, quite narrow and requires solid course management,” Jane adds. “The fairways are slim and the green complexes are tight.” It boasts a thorny 139 slope rating (the course does not play that hard). The Haig Course, honoring Walter Hagen, was the first course opened (March, 1980). “It is a straight-forward round of golf with no tricks. The ladies tees are 5,600 yards, though,” Jane advises. The Estate Course, formerly
The Champion
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nhanced by its remarkable renovations, The par-72 Champ is the proud and immaculate home to the Honda Classic, played this year in late February (at par-70), continuing a decadesold tradition of tournament hosting. Caddies are required (60—whitesuited and extensively groomed— are in house and are trained at the Resort’s Caddie School) and enhance the play by counseling the golfer around (and, sadly, through and in) the 107 sand bunkers and 16 water hazards (water is in play on all 18 holes). Stretching 7,048 from the back
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tees, this beguiling championship track boasts a scary 147 slope rating (137 from the mid-Blue tees). The Ladies White tees feature a 5,984yard track with a 154 slope rating. Bring the thunder-sticks and lockand-load. It is the home of the famed “Bear Trap,” three waterborne holes on the back side that define the round (and many championships). The par-3s are all in the 170yard range, but for the 226-yard 7th, which looms long with a deep, tiered, elevated green swathed in bunkers. The par-4s are swarthy and range
from 365 to 465 yards with more hazards than your pre-engagement conversation with your future mother-in-law. The par-5s, while never exceeding 556 yards, are also robust. Interestingly, the attenuated 488yard 6th carries the most difficult handicap (narrow fairway, water down the entire left side, a pox of bunkers on the right and a treacherous, tiny, two-tiered green complex on the edge of the water). It makes for a beautiful walk in and around a quiet, dignified residential community—but bring lots of patience and golf balls.
Lihn’sPalm PalmBeaches Beachesand andTreasure TreasureCoast CoastGolf GolfGuide Guide2008 2008 Lihn’s
The Champion 40 yards wide. The second shot needs to be played down the right side to create the best angle for the approach into the green.”
Honda Classic
1st
The round begins pleasantly and benignly at the shortest par-4 (365 yards). A narrow fairway is book-ended by a landing-zone bunker and water on the left. The peril is in the approach. “A sit-up green with a severe drop off to the bunker on the left side, a front pot bunker, a cradle bunker on the left and a deep, narrow green make for an adventure on your second shot,” observes Jane.
7th
key.” Flanking bunkers guard the bas-relief, “P”-shaped green.
This is a simple water carry and, more importantly, showcases a rippling green, 50-yards deep, and four bunkers you must avoid. “Just be accurate and go down a club to take advantage of the big green.”
8th
4th
The 376-yard 4th is a slight dogleg left, featuring a shallow, situp green with a large bunker at the front right, an innocuous trap at the left and a and a deep grass bunker behind the green. “This hole requires a high, arcing shot to hold the green.”
Handicapped 7, this hole stretches 427-
5th
2nd
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t h
T h i s par-5 is played as a par-4 for the Honda Classic. “ Wa t e r down t h e entire left side is in play, with a gradual slope in the fairway to the left. Accuracy off the tee is key to avoid the water on the left and the bunkers on the right, both 200 to 270 yards out. The fairway is only
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yards with a crossing creek in front of the green. Keep your tee shot a little left and blast away on the approach. “A 30-yard bail-out area between the water and the green provides some comfort. This is a deceivingly long hole. The left to right prevailing wind tends to push the ball.” A scenic approach.
9th
Running slightly uphill, this 404-yard, subtle dogleg left “invites a drive down the right side and requires enough club to get to the center of the green, guarded by a huge sand bunker on the left and a small pot bunker on the front right.”
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The 2nd kicks it up a bit, stretching 437 yards over a straight, flat, narrow fairway with a single bunker on the right and one at the front-sloping green. “Watch for the water on the left. The best play off the tee is down the right side and hope for a pin location on the back of the two-tiered green.” 3rd Having warmed up gradually, prepare for one of the most difficult par-5s at 538-yards. Water on the right is not in play near the landing area, but the bunkers are. Now, be cautious. From 160 yards out, water fringes the left edge up to the green. “The testy approach is the
This is the first of the scenic par-3s and features a rockbulkhead and a receptive, tiered green. “If you play this hole further back, it becomes a more difficult shot because of the water carry.”
The Champion over par for last year’s tournament. Tough hole!”
12th
10th
The inward half keeps the drama going. This 545-yard par-5 is played as a par-4 from 509-yards during the Honda Classic. “This is one of the holes where we moved a bunker in preparation for this year’s tournament. The fairway bunker on the right side has been pushed towards the green about 50 yards to be more menacing to the Tour players, which won’t affect the average player,” Jane adds sagaciously.
This 427-yard dogleg right presents flanking bunkers at the landing-area angle. The rightside bunker has been enlarged to encroach on the fairway, narrowing it by 20 yards. “If the pin location is back right, you have to negotiate a small group of trees on your approach from the right side.”
11th
The 450-yard hole is lengthened to 479-yards for the Honda and offers plenty of trouble on the lengthy approach shot as water runs in front of the 40-yard green. It presents a diabolical approach to this long, tiered green fronted by the foreboding pond. It’s as fetching as it is difficult. This is my favorite. “This hole played well
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side, and water and trees on the right. A precise tee shot is a must, followed by a careful approach to the heavily-bunkered green.” The left-side bunker is a small beach. This par-4 runs 388 yards.
14th
The second longest par-4 (465 yards) features eight traps. “A tee shot that leaks to the right will find the water or a large bunker at the landing zone. Bunkers and pine trees also appear on the left, so stay right-center. This still leaves you a fairly long approach to a two-tiered green with a 70-yard bunker on the left side that edges up to the green and three dotting the right.” Then prepare for the “Bear Trap:” three holes of waterborne fun (or agony, it’s been said) that require some accurate irons.
15th
13th
“Avoid the profusion of bunkers spread out down the left
“It’s all about the prevailing wind on this hole,” a 179yard loft over a generous pond to a 35-yard green perched on the water’s edge. A rear bunker rests beneath a backboard of a mound and the bailout area is front left—so go down a club and err long, left and dry.
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The Champion Recreational “Adeceptivelydifficulttest.”“Redesigned, classy,caddies,greatservice—andahigh score!”“Hardtobelievethatthemid-tees are so difficult.”
Professional “First-classallthewayandwiththeredesign, it’s a bear (did I say that?) to play.” “This is big-league golf from the tips.” “Wonderful renovations.”
The Specifics
16th
The 434-yard 16th doglegs right around a lake with long bunkers flanking the landing area at the angle. Stay a wee left on your drive, aiming for the base of the bunker, avoiding the large bunker fringing the pond on the right side. The 180-yard approach is to a stingy 36-yard green buffered by a front bunker porch on the water. “Here, too, lean a left to be safe.”
17th
The last of the terrifying triumvirate is an imposing 172-yard carry to a commodious green with a bunker on the left side, and lots of room at the rear. “The bunker trips up most of the people who bail out left.” Be accurate and long.
Type: resort Green fees: $250 Caddies: $45 to $60 plus gratuity Layout: 18-hole, par 72 Rating/Slope 7,048 Black 75.3/147 6,721 Gold 73.3/144 6,379 Blue 71.6/137 5,984 White 69.9/137 Women 76.8/154 5,145 Red 72.3/136 Designer: Tom Fazio, 1981; Jack Nicklaus, 1990 Director of Golf Operations: Jane S. Broderick Superintendent: John Andersen Practice Facility: complete Instruction: yes Walking: only with caddie
18th
Lihn’s Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast Golf Guide 2008
Getting There • 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33462 •(561) 627-2000 (877) 742-6285 •www.pgaresort.com Map Locator: p. 8
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Don’t relax: you still have 556 yards to contend with a flexuous, double-dogleg that has water attached to the entire right side. A dozen sand traps are positioned to impede your fun, so hit it straight. The medium-size green is framed by four bunkers and requires a deft approach. “This is one of the more difficult holes because the landing area is extremely narrow and the green is perched and hanging over the lake on the right. It’s a typicallyNicklaus strong finishing hole.” Survive it and smile. It was a gorgeous stroll after all.
The Palmer
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he playful, rejuvenated General, now The Palmer, is named after its designer, Arnold, and features a design luster with soigné and cheerful flair. Sweeping, manicured and more wide-open than some of the handwringing, anorexic fairways on its sister courses, this track has receptive greens, a double fairway (the 12th) and a double green (8th and 12th). It sparkles. So double your fun. “It’s my favorite,” says Jane. “It has a links-style routing, let’s you take some rips off of the tee box and has grass bunkers, which are less penal. It’s more forgiving.” Playing at 7,079 yards, fresh after its December 2007 redo, the course features a profusion of wash-board fairways with plenty of off-kilter lies. The mounding rolls over 120 acres, 50 reshaped and reformed bunkers, 14
and that pervasive-PGA National water is in play on 16 holes. “The aim,” according to Joel, “is to emphasize that the Resort has five world-class courses, and the Palmer is an example of our efforts and investment to make golf here an exceptional and impeccable experience.” This was money well spent. In its artful reincarnation, the General provides for its army many of Palmer’s trademark design
features: •gracious and diverse par-3s spanning 156 to 238 yards (over sand, the 2nd; water, the 5th and 13th; and land, the 10th) •some assorted and titillating par-4s ranging from 380 yards (the most difficult) to 458 (the 1st), and •more diversity on the 5s with a 4-handicap 499-yarder (the delightful 12th…more to come), and the robust finisher, the 601-yard 18th. The opening hole gives the golfer a clear sense of the texture of this round. A 458-yard excursion begins with a drive to a bunker-fortified, wide, wavy landing area; and a long approach to a front-sloping, elevated, 28-yard circular green with high-mounded, flanking bunkers. Long, but fair. The 2nd is a cute loft over a beach to a receptive, 30-yard, circle
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The Palmer yard dogleg left extravaganza offers some course-management options with its delectable double fairway. From the tee box, observe the water carry and a massive bunker in the center of the fairway. Now, two options: •play it safe and aim right, clear the water and a lakeside bunker (about 200 yards) and look at two more shots to the big green; •or drive left over the widening pond between two bunkers (a 230+yard poke) and save about 60 yards to the commodious (45-yards deep to the saddleback and 23 across) double-green decorated with two right-side traps. Go back and play it again. Then finish on the long and splendid par-5 18th. The 601-yard dogleg right invites a healthy rip from the tee towards a huge bunker on the right at the front of another pond edged by a beach bunker for 170 yards. The second shot gets testy as you approach to a green-complex peninsula that narrows precipitously at 100 yards out. So does the shallow green that is only 18 yards deep and an expansive 43 yards across. Thanks, Arnie.
Recreational “Greatrenovationsandexpansion.Five teeboxesnow.”“Lovethefairwaysand the clever use of water.”“Wonderful diversityofholeshere.Lovethatwinding 18th finish.”
Professional “Alwayshasbeenafavoritewithsome classic holes. It’s fun to be able to cut looseatthetee-boxthenstrategizeinto the green.”
The Specifics Type: resort Green fees: $150 Caddies: $45 to $60 plus gratuity Layout: 18-hole, par 72 Rating/Slope 7,079 Black 74.3/142 6,684 Blue 72.5/135 6,115 White 69.9/126 5,530 Green 67.3/116 Ladies 72.5/126 4,810 Red 68.9/114 Designer: Arnold Palmer, 1980; redesigned 2007 Director of Golf Operations: Jane S. Broderick Superintendent: John Andersen Practice Facility: complete Instruction: yes Walking: only with caddie
Getting There • 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33462 •(561) 627-2000 (877) 742-6285 • www.pgaresort.com Map Locator: p. 8
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of a green. One practicing member put three in a row near the centerpin on a late afternoon. The 3rd features one large trap at the front of the elevated, small, flat green with more footprints than a NYC shoestore before the marathon. Busy bunker. Stay left and go long. The toughest handicap appears at the 4th. The 550-yard, bending dogleg left has a wide fairway and big bunkers at both landing areas. Two false-front bunkers on the right side of the 35-yard long putting surface add adventure. Another set of false-front traps appear on the severe-angle doglegright 8th. Drive 250 yards to the left side of the angle, avoiding (you must) the beach bunker on the right (edging a creek) and an aggregation of sand traps along the rolling fairway. Your second shot must negotiate water on both sides and flanking bunkers (including the false-fronters about 50 yards out). The double-green is flanked by bunkers and saddle-backs to the 12th. But the most fun out there on those roiling fairways is, unequivocally, the 12th. The 499-
The Squire
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amed after the courtly Gene Sarazen (the first professional to win the Grand Slam), The Squire is the shortest of the five courses at the PGA National carrying 6,485 yards and a eyebrowraising 139 slope from the back of the three tee boxes. “This is a cerebral course,” Jane warns. “It’s narrow and has tiny greens that require some careful iron shots.” Built in late 1981, the course is popular and replete with trepidation. Water hazards (17) are in play on 16 holes. More than 60 bunkers serve as uncanny magnets. The 1st is a short par-5 initiation into the tribal rites of this short track. At 494 yards from the back tee, you wonder what the difficulty could be. Stay away from the leftside creek. Then approach to an evaporating tear-drop green fronted by that pesky, meandering creek with bunkers in the rear. It’s a small target (24 yards deep and 30 wide). Tiny greens characterize this 16
links course. The 4th and 5th are consecutive examples. At the dogleg right, 368-yard 4th either pound a drive over the bunker at the right or use a cautious iron down the left side. The approach is to a 25-yard elevated green with high-mounded bunkers at the front. The 5th is a short par-5 (506 yards) with the 1 handicap. Again, stay on the slim fairway and be deft at the sit-up, flat green: only 17 yards across and 27 deep with flanking bunkers.
The 7th replicates the aggravation with a table-top, 18-yard wide green at the end of a dogleg left fairway with bookend bunkers at the angle and water up the right side. The challenging joy of this course is on the backside, featuring three of the shortest/lowest handicapped, dogleg holes in Golfdom: The 13th is a mere 309 yards with water all over the right side and a miniature, 20-yard circular green with water on the right and four traps on the left. The 14th is a meager 460-yard par-5 with four bunkers at the narrow, angled landing zone. Three left-side bunkers sit about 130 yards from the green, so keep your second shot right of them. Then approach to a tiny, sit-up green tucked between two bunkers. This attenuated beauty is handicapped a deserving 4. Short and sweet? More to the contrary: the 327-yard, dogleg left 15th (handicapped 2!) is precious. Bunt an iron 200 yards to the left of the single bunker on the right side. Then ponder: how will you loop an iron over a crossing creek to an elevated, front-sloping, pygmy green encased in sand? Whew.
Lihn’sPalmBeachesandTreasureCoastGolfGuide2008
The Squire
The Estate
Recreational “Shortesttrack,butagreatantidotetoa morningroundontheruggedChamp.”
Professional “Again,notsurewhythishasa139slope, becauseitfeaturescomposurenotlength.”
The Specifics Type: resort Green fees: $150 Caddies: no Layout: 18-hole, par 72 Rating/Slope 6,485 Blue 72.5/139 6,000 White 70.1/131 Women 75.8/144 4,975 Red 70.0/121 Designer: Tom Fazio, 1981 Director of Golf Operations: Jane S. Broderick Superintendent: John Andersen Practice Facility: complete Instruction: yes Walking: only with caddie
Getting There •400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33462 •(561) 627-2000 (877) 742-6285 • www.pgaresort.com Map Locator: p. 8
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It has a 137 slope rating, but, like the Squire and Haig (which I think are sloped too severely), it plays much more kindly. It’s a mellow day of golf. Beside a wide-open links-look, flat fairways (except for the rolling 9th and 18th) and broad, shallow greens, the distinct (and memorable) feature here is the profusion of lakes which number a baker’s dozen and do dominate your peripheral vision. Bring extra balls. This track has more water carries than a bucketbrigade at the Great San Francisco Fire. The par-3s are in the 170s except for the 207-yard 3rd and all have water in play. The 10th is particularly scenic. The par-4s range from modest (the 17th at 343 yards) to 429 yards (12th). The par-5s earn the lowest handicaps and span 495 to 551 yards (the 9th), the signature hole: The straight fairway has water
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15-minute drive from the Resort, The Estate features sand (80 bunkers), ubiquitous water and lush fairways and greens. It winds for 120 acres through open meadows lined with Florida pines and plentiful lakes. Designed by Karl Litten in 1984, and originally a private club, the Estate Course has generous fairways and the large, inviting greens. Long, accurate tee shots are required in order to negotiate hazards in front of the greens. The homes along the golf course are set back, contributing to the overall gemutlich feel here. Located seven miles west of the main facility on North Lake Blvd., the Estate Course is nestled in a small, understated community, creating a relaxing golfing experience. The out-and-back par-72 course runs 6,694 yards (4,943 yards from the Reds) and uses four sets of tees.
The Haig
The Estate running up the entire left side and two bunkers on the right at each landing area. The thrill is the approach to the rock-bulkhead green that hovers over the water. The green is shallow (18 yards deep) and nearly 40 yards across (see photo below) with three traps protecting its flanks. Handicapped 5, it is a solid test. The other exceptional par-5 is the dogleg right 495-yard 5th. It features two carries. The approach is over water to a left-to-right sloping green with three bunkers. Two successive holes provide drama: the 542-yard 15th is a subtle double-dogleg left with a lake on the right side. The landing area is expansive wide with two bunkers on the left. Then stay left over the infringing water and fire into the small green wedged between a front and back bunker. The 16th, handicapped 4, runs plumb-line straight over (guess what) a lake to a front-bunkered green. If you don’t get seasick, you’ll smile your way through this low-key round.
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Recreational “FlatandwetFloridaterrain.”“Surprised bythefun.Wideopenandlotsofwater hazards.”
Professional “Membersouttherelovethiscourseand want to keep it a secret.”
The Specifics Type: resort Green fees: $150 Caddies: no Layout: 18-hole, par 72 Rating/Slope 6,694 Blue 71.8/137 6,122 White 69.1/125 Women 76.4/156 5,433 Seniors 66.0/112 4,943 Forward 68.9/123 Designer: Karl Litten, 1984 Director of Golf Operations: Jane S. Broderick Head Pro: Dave Duncan Superintendent: John Andersen Practice Facility: complete Instruction: yes Walking: no
T
he Haig Course, named after five-time PGA champion Walter Hagen, was the first course to open at the PGA National (March, 1980). Designed by Tom and George Fazio, the course plays Getting There at 6,806 yards. The ladies deal with • 7736 Bay Hill Dr., West Palm Beach, FL a 5,645 length from the forward of 33412 three tees. •(561) 627-1614 (877) 742-6285 “This course is comfortable and • www.pgaresort.com cozy, but still sports a 139 slope Map Locator: p. 8 rating,” Jane observes. I don’t see that degree of difficulty, but the members claim that precise golf is a must. The course tends to get feisty. But it is always convivial. Like the other courses, this outand-back receptive track wanders around a residential community with lots of doglegs (five on the front side), water (in play on 14 holes) and 70 bunkers peppering the grass. The double-dogleg fun appears early—and with difficulty—in the form of two moderate par-5s. The Lihn’sPalmBeachesandTreasureCoastGolfGuide2008
The Haig Recreational “Quiet, scenic round of golf.”“Doesn’t seemtowarrantsuchahighslopebecause it is such a pleasant round of golf.”
Professional “Comfortableandappealing,butsomedeceptiveholesandnicepar-3soverwater.”
The Specifics
1st hole twists 501 yards with water all over the left side of the narrow fairway and a pond 200 yards from the green on the right. The tiny, tiered green is protected by three bunkers at the front.
...the ubiquitous sunshine continues to give off coruscating shafts of luminous hope.
Lihn’s Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast Golf Guide 2008
Getting There •400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33462 •(561) 627-2000 (877) 742-6285 • www.pgaresort.com Map Locator: p. 8
PGANationalResort&Spa
The 4th is a more strenuous test of adroit golf. Four bunkers serenade the right side of the left-arcing, tumbling fairway. The second angle sits 150 yards from the green. Water runs up the right side to the green, which slopes to the left and has a high-mounded bunker positioned in front. A true 1 handicap. Which you prepared for on the 392-yard 3rd with a sharp-angle right, flat fairway with two bunkers at the turn and a precipitous approach to yet another diminutive
green edged by water and guarded by sand. The waterborne par-3s are particularly picturesque and offer a bit of a respite (two are in the 150s), starting with the short 5th. The lovely 7th travels 209 yards. Don’t let a stray shot spoil the aura. The 13th (159 yards) and the 210-yard 16th continue the genteel par-3 theme. The finish is picture-postcard perfect: a 456-yard, dogleg, pastoral journey. A creek runs up the left side and three bunkers are nestled inside the angle, 200 yards out. The fairway is pencil-thin on the long approach, and the green—guess what—is tiny (27 yards deep) and bunker-flanked. But the flowerbeds, the wooden bridge and, especially, the ubiquitous sunshine continues to give off coruscating shafts of luminous hope. Bring the family.
Type: resort Green fees: $150 Layout: 18-hole, par 72 Rating/Slope 6,806 Blue 73.5/139 6,335 White 71.1/134 Women 77.3/143 5,645 Red 73.6/135 Designer:Tom andGeorgeFazio,1980 Director of Golf Operations: Jane S. Broderick Superintendent: John Andersen Practice Facility: complete Instruction: yes Walking: only with caddie
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Spas and
well-being
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Lihn’sPalmBeachesandTreasureCoastGolfGuide2008
Massage. Renowned in every culture and practiced around the world, who ever thought it would enhance your performance and improve your score? It’s a prescription for a better game of golf and a healthier life. Relaxation. Embrace the other reality that should be in concert with you golf game: massage. Spas. Luxurious, resplendent; soothing, understated; capacious and cozy. Their ubiquity is matched only by their dedication to healing and relaxation. A stretching regimen—yoga, Pilates, a towel or a window sill—is a great way to maintain (or regain) flexibility and suppleness, key to a good golf swing. The opportunities to treat your golf-weary body to a soothing aprèsgolf treat are countless. Just think: Repose. Heal. Comfort. Relief. No 40-foot, twisting downhill putts. No 600-yard uphill par-5s. No cell phone cacophony. No blizzard of messages. No diapers, no dog food. Just you, soft music, a massage therapist and nirvana. A spa. Now this is a golf vacation. Golf resorts revel in an elegant proliferation of world-class spas. They offer the visiting golfer a host of marvelous, salubrious choices ranging from sports-fitness training (to stretch, tone and prepare your
body—flexibility is key) to treatments to quell the fatigue, relieve the suntainted skin, or bring sheer hedonistic delight to the end of the day. More significantly, beyond comfort and relaxation, you have the opportunity to improve your golf game. You will enhance performance by quantum leaps if you follow a customized regimen to train your over-taxed body: stretch, loosen and relax. Arrive feeling below par, and leave playing below par. Lower you score. Imagine twisting your cramped body off of the plane on Thursday afternoon and being chauffeured to your hotel. First, an hour spent assessing your body and stretching the tight areas. How long has your neck and shoulders been constricted over the computer or using the telephone? How many hours every day do you spend sitting at the desk, in the car, on the train, compressed in an airplane? Take a lesson and a trip to the range, back to the Spa for yoga, then a deep tissue massage and sauna, followed by dinner.
Lihn’s Lihn’s Palm Palm Beaches Beaches and and Treasure Treasure Coast Coast Golf Golf Guide Guide 2008 2008
The next morning, another stretch, another lesson, a round of looser-limbed golf and another massage. Saturday morning you stretch again, perhaps yoga, and more golf. Sunday, it’s up to you: stretch, a lesson, golf. Your body, your attitude and your handicap will have been rejuvenated. Understand, as many have recently, that spa treatments and stretching are an integral— and vital—part of a healthier body, a more sound golf swing and a better score.
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