Since 1981, PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, has been one of America’s premier golf destinations. Designed initially by Tom & George Fazio, its centerpiece—the Champion Course—was revamped by Jack Nicklaus in the early 1990s. It hosted the Ryder Cup (1983), PGA Championship (1987), the Senior PGA Championship for nearly two decades, and has been home to the PGA Tour’s Cognizant Classic since 2007.
In late 2024, Brookfield Asset Management sold the 807-acre property—complete with six championship courses, a 339-room hotel, spa, restaurants, and racquet club—to a partnership led by Henderson Park, South Street Partners, and Salamander Hotels & Resorts for approximately $425 million. This follows Brookfield’s $100M renovation post-2018 purchase. The new ownership plans include adding a new pool and more golf-enhancements, signaling fresh investment ahead.
⛳️ The Bear Trap: Championship-Level Challenge
On the Champion Course, holes 15–17, famously known as The Bear Trap, form one of the most feared three-hole stretches in golf. Redesigned by Nicklaus, this trio demands both precision and nerve:
15 (Par‑3, ~179 yds): Full carry over water with no bail-out—Dubbed one of the hardest holes in the Cognizant Classic.
16 (Par‑4, ~434 yds): Another ambitious water carry onto a two-tier green—requiring both length and accuracy.
17 (Par‑3, ~175 yds): Short but dangerous—deep green bunkers and water require aggressive, committed shots.
Nicklaus famously said, “It’s not about length … It’s about precision. It’s about guts.” And even seasoned pros have faltered here—like Rory McIlroy, who famously posted a triple-bogey on 16 during the Cognizant Classic.
⭐ Quality – 4/6
Throughout the resort, the overall quality remains above average. The Champion Course plays beautifully, as do the other courses, keeping tournament-grade conditioning. But, as mentioned, public areas like the bar and pool feel dated. Food quality continues to impress, maintaining a high standard, though nothing pushes into fine-dining territory.
💰 Value – 6/6
During our summer visit, nightly rates and greens fees were substantially lower. Paired with the level of service, courses, and overall experience—even with some dated spaces—this timeframe offers outstanding value.
💸 Price – 4/6
While golfing and lodging aligned with seasonal pricing, food & beverage costs remained elevated, and the automatic 20% gratuity dampened the experience—especially when service was merely adequate.
👔 Professionalism – 5/6
Staff professionalism was consistently high—polite, helpful, and proactive. The only slight detraction was the reliance on the auto-gratuity, which seemed to reduce motivation to exceed expectations.
⏱️ Timeliness – 6/6
Everything ran like clockwork: tee times, dining slots, and general service. No one wants to experience delays on a summer Florida getaway—and PGA National delivered.
📞 Communication – 5/6
Most communications—digital and in-person—were clear, timely, and accurate. Only hiccup: coordinating a missing golf bag from the airport was cumbersome. Multiple personnel couldn’t track it, though it appeared just in time for play.
🎯 Overall Verdict – 5/6 Stars
PGA National, with its legendary Champion Course and infamous Bear Trap, delivered a robust summer experience. The recent sale and planned enhancements hint at future improvements beyond the $100M Brookfield investment. Some dated amenities and the 20% auto-gratuity detract a bit—but mostly, the resort offers excellent value and timeless golfing pedigree.
