(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) – PGA National Resort & Spa, host of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic played Feb. 23 – 26, has unveiled a dramatic new statue honoring its famous Jack Nicklaus-designed “Bear Trap” on its acclaimed Champion Course.
A replica of the iconic snarling Bear statue that welcomes (and warns) players on the mighty Champion layout that they are now entering one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in the game (holes No. 15 through 17), noted Wyoming sculptor Ben Foster created the new seven-foot, 700-pound ursine design from the same mold as the original.
The new statue, called “The Glare of the Bear,” stands sentinel at the front of the resort. Revealed just in time for the multitudes descending on the resort to enjoy the Honda Classic, all spectators and resort guests are welcome to snap group photos and selfies with the roaring grizzly fashioned out of silicone bronze.
“I looked through many, many wildlife photos to make sure to capture the aggression of a big mature grizzly in its natural habitat,” says Foster. “It was really something else sculpting this.”
“Taking a picture at The Bear Trap is one of the most popular activities at our resort, but the original is usually accessible only for our members and guests playing the Champion Course,” says Greg Saunders, Vice President, Managing Director. “This magnificent new bear statue residing at our front entrance gives everyone the opportunity to capture this iconic memory offered here at PGA National.”
The Champion Course is regarded as one of the top layouts in the U.S. The Bear Trap is hailed by USA Today as “one of the toughest stretches in golf,” and is known to strike fear into the hearts of golfers, professional and amateur alike. In last year’s Honda Classic, tournament winner Adam Scott took a 37-hole, bogey-free streak into the Bear Trap before making a quadruple seven on the par-3 15th. Needing to avoid a similar late-round meltdown on Sunday, Scott stayed dry on Nos. 15 and 17 on his way to a one-shot victory over Sergio Garcia.
For more on PGA National Resort & Spa: www.pgaresort.com, 561.627.2000.
About PGA National Resort & Spa
Fresh off its comprehensive multi-million dollar revitalization, PGA National Resort & Spa is a world-class golf, spa, vacation and meetings destination. The South Florida locale offers 90 holes of championship golf on five courses including the famed Champion Course, home to the popular PGA TOUR Honda Classic and legendary “Bear Trap.”
A distinguishing highlight at PGA National is its new 33,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Sports & Racquet Club (SRC). The impressive new facility features the latest exercise equipment, indoor racquet ball court, three aerobics studios with new sound systems, five-lane saltwater lap pool, spin room with video road mapping, indoor volleyball court, two Pickleball / POP tennis courts, and19 Har Tru tennis courts (11 lit for night play). PGA National is also home to the new Johan Kriek Tennis Academy, a world-class training facility run by two-time Australian Open champion Johan Kriek. Elite junior- and high-performance programs focus on stroke production, point construction, match play, video analyses, fitness, gym and mental training.
PGA National offers customized suites ideal for weddings, golf “buddy trips” and spa aficionados. Its numerous multi-use settings include a permanent, lakeside wedding venue with stunning vistas; scenic Lakeside Lawn perfect for receptions; iDeck – a new 3,000-square-foot terrace ideal for indoor / outdoor dining and entertaining; “Bar 91” 19th hole bar and grill; 40,000 square feet of self-contained conference and event space; and eight on-site restaurants and lounges including its acclaimed chef-driven Ironwood Steak & Seafood.
The Spa at PGA National is a 40,000-square-foot oasis of tranquility featuring 32 treatment rooms and areas with 100 diverse treatments, the exclusive “Waters of the World” outdoor mineral pools, full-service salon and relaxing lounge areas.
Conveniently located within easy driving distance of major Florida population centers, the AAA Four Diamond resort is 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), one hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and 90 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA).
Contact:
David Wood (703.635.0577)
Buffalo.Agency
dwood@buffalo.agency
Robert Rodriguez (210.441.0952)
Buffalo.Agency
rrodriguez@buffalo.agency
www.buffalo.agency
