(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) — PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion Course — home of the PGA TOUR Honda Classic — continues to vault up national rankings and is now No. 3 in Golfweek’s just released 2011 list of “Best Courses You Can Play” in Florida.
Fresh off its fifth straight year of successfully hosting the wildly popular PGA TOUR Honda Classic, The Champion has risen 15 spots over the past two years. The Jack Nicklaus redesign bested the two other prominent members of the TOUR’s “Florida Swing” – Bay Hill Club in Orlando and the Blue Course at Doral Resort & Spa in Miami.
“The Champion is one of the best-conditioned, strategically-demanding courses in Florida and the U.S. and the Golfweek rating validates our staff’s efforts to make it an unforgettable golf experience,” says Joel Paige, Vice President and Managing Director.
The Champion’s “Bear Trap” (No. 15-17) continues to live up to its reputation as one of the most demanding, three-hole stretches in the game. “There’s a pretty good reason they call it the Bear Trap because if it doesn’t get you one way, it’s going to get you another,” says Rory Sabbatini, winner of the 2011 Honda Classic. “It definitely caused some stress for me.”
Australian Robert Allenby says, “On Sunday when the pin is in the back right on No. 17, this is the hardest hole we play on TOUR.”
When asked about The Bear Trap prior to this year’s Honda Classic, Jack Nicklaus says, “It’s not about length, it’s about precision. It’s about guts. It’s all about what do you have in your chest that you can finish those holes.”
In addition to the Honda Classic, The Champion’s storied history includes hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, and nearly two decades of the Senior PGA Championship. Additionally, guests can enjoy play on The Palmer, The Squire, The Haig and The Estates courses. PGA National has the unique distinction of being home to both the David Leadbetter Golf Academy and Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, along with offering a tour level fitting experience at the PGA National Club Fitting Lab.
For more information or to make reservations, visit www.pgaresort.com, or call (800) 533.9386.
About PGA National Resort & Spa
PGA National Resort & Spa is a national, premier golf vacation and meeting destination. The legendary 379-room Florida resort recently completed a $65 million comprehensive revitalization, including a new front entrance, outdoor pool and pavilion, new Ironwood Grille and iBAR, as well as enhanced public areas, golf courses and landscaping.
PGA National Resort & Spa offers 90 holes of championship golf on five courses, including the famed Champion course, home to the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic. The resort’s storied golf history includes hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, and nearly two decades of the Senior PGA Championship. In addition to The Champion, PGA National’s award-winning golf courses are: The Palmer, The Haig, The Squire and The Estates.
Other distinguishing features include a 40,000 square-foot European Spa with 32 treatment areas and the exclusive “Waters of the World” outdoor mineral pools, a world-class 33,000 square-foot health-and-racquet club with 19 Har Tru tennis courts, 40,000 square feet of self-contained conference space and nine on-site restaurants and lounges.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@buffalocommunications.com
David Wood
Buffalo Communications
703.635.0577 (cell)
dwood@buffalocommunications.com
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