PGA Golf Club making
changes to be the best
daily-fee club in the U.S.

By William K. Wolfrum,
Staff Writer

(March 31, 2006) — The PGA Golf Club at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an eye toward the future.

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Named by Golf Digest as the "Best New Affordable Course in North America," for its 1996 debut, The PGA Golf Club is looking to up the ante and has announced it will embark on a two-year, multi-million dollar capital improvement program starting in May, that will position the club as the premier daily-fee golf course in the nation.

"These renovations toward making this facility into the premier daily-fee golf course in America, said Bud Taylor, director of golf for PGA Golf Properties of Florida. "That's judging it against any facility that's opened to the public."

The PGA Golf Club consists of three courses — the North and South, which were designed by Tom Fazio, and the Dye Course designed by Pete Dye. All elements of the facility — which is the center of PGA Village — will be affected by the improvements.

"Tom Fazio was just with us, going over his course," said Taylor. "When you have an architect like Tom do the course, his vision is very important, so the designers are a big part of the renovations also."

Some of the improvements planned include: changing putting surfaces to Champion Ultra Dwarf; refurbishing the bunkers; drainage improvements; a clubhouse expansion; and landscaping changes to the Fazio and Dye courses.

Mike Graham, sports editor of the Port St. Lucie News and one of the first to play PGA Golf Club when it opened, said the tremendous growth in the area - which is a two-hour drive southeast of Orlando - likely contributed to the PGA's decision to make improvements now.

"Port St. Lucie is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, and that's where it's growing, right around that area" Graham said. "One thing that they've always told me is that on the planning sheet are two more courses, so maybe this is part of getting ready for that."

Taylor said that for the near future at least, the PGA is focused only on the renovations and the advancement of the PGA Golf Club.

"We've had three hurricanes over the past two years that have taken a toll on the landscaping, plus 10 years of daily play," said Taylor. "Our eyes are on the renovations. Right now that's our focus, not in adding more courses."

The PGA Golf Club is the only PGA-owned and operated public golf facility and opened its doors in 1996 as Golf Digest's "Best New Affordable Course in North America." All three courses have Audubon International Signature status for compliance with environmental requirements.

The club includes the three courses, as well as the PGA Learning Center - a 35-acre practice facility and golf school - and the PGA Historical Center, where visitors can track the history of the PGA of America.

"I don't know if the population is there yet to put up two more courses, but it will happen because it's growing," Graham said. "They pack them in there during the season it's a wagon train out there. And with everything they have it's really become a destination for people."

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.