PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The PGA Golf Club at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., celebrated its 10th anniversary today by embarking on a multi-million dollar renovation to begin on May 8, 2006, that will position The PGA Golf Club as one of the premier daily-fee golf facilities in the world.
At a media conference held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebration, PGA Vice President Brian Whitcomb and PGA Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka announced that The PGA of America is working closely with renowned architects Tom Fazio, who designed The PGA Golf Club’s North and South Courses; and Pete Dye, whose vision led to the creation of the Dye Course, on renovations that will modernize the golf experience at the award-winning 54-hole facility.
"This is a rebirth of what is already a fantastic facility," said Whitcomb. "It is an exciting opportunity, and The PGA of America looks forward to working with Pete Dye’s group and Tom Fazio’s group to enhance the experience for the next generation of golf enthusiasts."
The North Course renovation will begin May 8, while the South Course renovations will begin in July. Both courses are scheduled to reopen in October, in time for the 2006 Callaway Golf PGA Senior Club Professional Championship and the TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship. The Dye Course, which will undergo course work in the summer of 2007, will remain open throughout the duration of the North and South Course renovations. Additionally, the clubhouse will be expanded during summer 2007.
"This is another evolution of the vision and dream started at PGA Village nine years ago," said Steranka. "When you look at Pete Dye; Tom Fazio; a 35-acre golf park at the PGA Learning Center; the PGA Historical Center with the replicas of the four major Championship trophies; and one of the premier golf libraries in the Probst Library, there is nothing like it in the world."
The exciting renovations will feature: Newly renovated greens on the North Course and South Course and the conversion of all greens to Champion Ultra Dwarf, a high-tech strain of turf grass intended to ensure world-class putting surfaces year-round; newly renovated and constructed bunkers to frame each hole; additional drainage to improve playing conditions and shorten downtime for all courses; major landscaping enhancements to improve the playing experience and aesthetic beauty of The PGA Golf Club; and a major clubhouse expansion that will incorporate a prototype PGA Tournament Center, expanded golf shop and dining facilities, all designed to make The PGA Golf Club the premier golf outing and tournament facility in the world.
In addition, the improvements will help make The PGA Golf Club even more enjoyable for everyday players, yet remain challenging for the 1,300 PGA Professionals who visit and play in tournaments each year. For example, several of the holes on the North Course will be even more dramatic in appearance once the renovations are complete.
"We have one-of-a-kind properties at PGA Village that embody the PGA Experience," says Whitcomb. "Our facilities are unique in that they are home to PGA Professionals from across the country and open to the public and residents of PGA Village. I’m excited about reintroducing the ‘new’ PGA Golf Club in the fall."
Dye, a legendary golf course architect and recipient of the 2004 PGA Distinguished Service Award, was on-hand for the celebration and announcement of the renovations.
"The new hybrid glass has a better adaptability for the climatic conditions in this area," explained Dye. "The landscaping will help the ambience of the course. I am thrilled that they are going to do the renovations down here."
"We are delighted with the support we have had from both Pete Dye and Tom Fazio on these special courses," added Steranka. "We expect PGA members and residents of PGA Village to be even more proud of this special place that they call home."
At closer glance, the PGA Golf Club improvement program features:
North Course (Renovations scheduled for May 8, 2006-October 2006)
South Course (Renovations scheduled for July 2006-October 2006)
Dye Course (Renovations to commence summer 2007)
Clubhouse (Renovations to commence summer 2007)
dining facilities.
The project is being guided by a PGA Golf Club Task Force chaired by PGA Vice President Brian Whitcomb and several members of The PGA of America’s national Board of Directors. Corey Aurand, PGA director of golf at The Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur, Colo., has been named as project consultant and will oversee construction.
The announcement was made as part of PGA Village’s 10th anniversary celebration, held at The PGA Golf Club, on Wednesday, May 3, 2006. The event was also highlighted by rounds of golf and visits by dignitaries, including a proclamation honoring the 10th anniversary from Port St. Lucie Mayor Bob Minsky, as well as PGA Free Lesson Month golf instruction clinics and a live afternoon drive time radio broadcast from PGA Village on the local all-sports talk station, ESPN 760 AM. In addition, the 20th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship will be conducted at The PGA Golf Club, from May 5-7, 2006.
"For me, this celebration is really a major milestone for the city of Port St. Lucie," said Mayor Minsky. "It is an exciting day for Port St. Lucie, and we are very grateful to The PGA of America that PGA Village is a part of our community."
The PGA Golf Club, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is the only PGA-owned and operated public golf facility. The PGA Golf Club’s South Course debuted in 1996 as Golf Digest’s "Best New Affordable Course in North America," and the North Course debuted as number seven in the same ranking. All three courses – The North, South and Dye Courses carry Audubon International Signature status for their compliance with environmental requirements. The North and South Courses opened for play in 1996, and the Dye Course in 1999.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
561/624-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
