BALLENISLES COUNTRY CLUB BREAKS GROUND ON SOUTH COURSE RENOVATION PROJECT
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (April 10, 2019) – BallenIsles Country Club recently broke ground on a $7.5 million golf course renovation project, led by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones. The renovation is aimed at refining and revitalizing the 55-year-old South Course. The project is expected to be completed for play in December 2019. Headed by Project Manager Ron Despain from Troon, the renovation kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Mr. Jones and Bryce Swanson of Rees Jones, Inc. along with club dignitaries and the key team from Total Golf, the contractor completing the work (photo attached).
Originally built in 1964 and designed by Joe Lee and Dick Wilson, BallenIsles Country Club’s South Course is a challenging 6,827-yard, par 72 layout. The South Course renovation will include a complete tee-to-green make-over, including an all new irrigation system, cart paths, bunkering and a Rees Jones masterful look at refined strategy.
“We are creating a classic style,” said Rees Jones. “The original architect laid out the course well and provided us ample playing corridor to build a thought-provoking course. The remodeled layout will have an ebb and flow throughout the round, and I believe the members are going to enjoy the changes.”
As part of the South Course renovation, a new set of tees will be added, measuring approximately 4,000 yards, to provide a shorter course playing option, allowing for 5 to 6 various tee settings and angles to challenge different levels of players.
“The South Course’s routing and layout are solid,” said Jeff Fitzherbert, director of golf, BallenIsles Country Club. “This renovation project will create a much more attractive course visually, while maintaining and enhancing existing integrity. When complete, members will enjoy a dramatically improved golf experience and have additional shot options during their rounds. We’re excited to have Rees Jones leading the renovation project.”
When complete, BallenIsles will offer three modern day championship golf courses, including the North Course and famed East Course, to accommodate its vibrant and active membership.
“Embarking on this renovation on the heels of opening our new 115,000 Lifestyle Club says a lot about our membership and quality we expect,” added BallenIsles Country Club General Manager and COO Ryan Walls. “We have a vision for our community and club and Rees will most certainly help form a key piece of the experience we provide our members.”
ABOUT BALLENISLES COUNTRY CLUB
In 1963 legendary Florida developer John D. MacArthur and the PGA of America teamed up with golf course architects Dick Wilson and Joe Lee to design a championship-caliber golf facility. Over the next ten years, BallenIsles, then called PGA National Golf Club, hosted numerous major tournaments like the PGA Championship and PGA Seniors Championship and was home for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The Club was also the host site for the original PGA TOUR Qualifying School and held the inaugural PGA Merchandise Show. When the MacArthur/PGA of America agreement expired in 1973, the Club was renamed the JDM Country Club for John D. MacArthur. For the next 15 years, the prestigious local country club hosted many celebrities and professional golfers and staged many events on the three golf courses on the property. In 1988, the three golf courses and surrounding property were sold by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and renamed BallenIsles Country Club. A multi-year and multimillion dollar plan to develop a private country club community was unveiled. Since the early 2000’s, BallenIsles Country Club has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 100 Clubs in America.
A $35 million clubhouse renovation was completed in November 2018, featuring 115,000 square feet of luxurious space; three championship courses with 54 holes of golf; a world-class 22-court tennis complex including an exhibition tennis court and pickleball courts; and a state-of-the-art Sports Complex with a full service spa and salon, fitness center, Pilates studio and resort-style swimming pool. For more information visit www.BallenIsles.org
About Troon
BallenIsles Country Club is professionally managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at more than 440 locations around the globe, including managing 460 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 150 restaurants located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 44 states and 33 countries, divisions of Troon include Troon Golf, Honours Golf, Troon Privé (the private club operating division of Troon), Troon International, Cliff Drysdale Management, RealFood Consulting and OB Sports. There are currently 67 Troon-affiliated properties featuring 87 golf courses on national and international “Top 100” rankings. Troon-affiliated properties include Bayside Resort Golf Club in Selbyville, Delaware; Kapalua on Maui, Hawaii; Mauna Lani on the Kohala Coast on Hawaii; Pronghorn in Bend, Oregon; Lofoten Links in Norway; and Mollymook Golf Club in Australia. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contacts:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
Becky Collison
BallenIsles Country Club
Director of Marketing & Communication
561.249.5818
bcollison@Ballenisles.com
