Inside the course: PGA National, Champion Course
Feb. 28, 2011
The TOUR heads to the East Coast this week for The Honda Classic at the PGA National Resort and Spa - Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Learn more about this venue.
| Fast facts |
| Course Superintendent |
Brian Sunderhaus |
| Original architect |
Tom Fazio (1981) |
| Redesign |
Jack Nicklaus (2001) |
| Par value |
70 |
| Number of TOUR events as host venue |
5 (including 2011) |
| Course ranking |
Ranked 2 (out of 52) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2010 |
| Yardage history |
7,241 (2007) |
| |
7,158 (2008-present) |
| Grass |
Bermudagrass; perennial ryegrass (tees, fairways, rough); Tifeagle bermudagrass (greens) |
| Tournament Stimpmeter |
10.6 ft |
| Sand bunkers |
78 |
| Water hazards |
26 |
| Course tour |
Click here |
|
| Course record |
|
Player
Luke Donald
Greg Chalmers |
Year
2008
2009 |
Round
1st
2nd |
Finish
2nd
T22 |
|
| 2010 Rankings |
| Most Difficult Hole |
 |
The par-4 479-yard 6th Although the sixth is a reachable par 5, hence a reasonable birdie hole, most players will lay up for a pitch shot to the green. The preferred drive and second shots are draws. There's plenty of room on the right to bail out. The difficulty is the water on the left side from tee to green, making a back-left pin position tough.
2010: 0 eagles, 41 birdies, 225 pars, 128 bogeys, 32 double bogeys, 5 others. |
| Easiest hole |
 |
The par-5 538-yard 3rd Nicklaus' redesign eliminated the mid-fairway water hazard, making it a fairer hole. The second shot is a gamble for those wishing to try for the green in two. A long bunker keeps balls from rolling into the water. It's a straight shot to the green from left center of the fairway, but a bunker on the right makes a pin in the back right hard to reach.
2010: 15 eagles, 215 birdies, 181 pars, 18 bogeys, 1 double bogey and 1 other. |
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| PGA National |
2010 rankings | Last 4 years |
| 1 |
4 |
365 |
3.988 |
12 |
3.932 |
16 |
| 2 |
4 |
464 |
4.22 |
5 |
4.115 |
7 |
| 3 |
5 |
538 |
4.485 |
18 |
4.694 |
18 |
| 4 |
4 |
376 |
3.965 |
16 |
3.930 |
17 |
| 5 |
3 |
217 |
3.065 |
10 |
3.113 |
8 |
| 06* |
4 |
479 |
4.387 |
1 |
4.380 |
1 |
| 7 |
3 |
226 |
3.179 |
8 |
3.111 |
9 |
| 8 |
4 |
427 |
3.903 |
17 |
4.026 |
14 |
| 9 |
4 |
421 |
3.986 |
13 |
4.042 |
13 |
| 10* |
4 |
508 |
4.313 |
3 |
4.229 |
4 |
| 11 |
4 |
450 |
4.183 |
7 |
4.185 |
5 |
| 12 |
4 |
427 |
3.972 |
15 |
4.050 |
12 |
| 13 |
4 |
388 |
3.979 |
14 |
4.063 |
11 |
| 14 |
4 |
465 |
4.193 |
6 |
4.097 |
10 |
| 15* |
3 |
179 |
3.364 |
2 |
3.296 |
3 |
| 16 |
4 |
434 |
4.165 |
9 |
4.174 |
6 |
| 17* |
3 |
190 |
3.274 |
4 |
3.297 |
2 |
| 18 |
5 |
604 |
5.019 |
11 |
4.968 |
15 |
|
| Course origins |
| One of Florida's most notable golf challenges is found on the legendary Champion course. Originally designed by George and Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus redesigned the Champion in 1990, adding the feared "Bear Trap" grouping of holes 15, 16 and 17. |
| The Champion is currently the home of the PGA TOUR's Honda Classic, benefiting the Nicklaus Children's Healthcare Foundation (and an integral part of the FedExCup) and has been the site of the 1982 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the 1983 Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA Championship and the PGA Seniors' Championships from 1982 to 2000. It has also been the site of the PGA Junior Championships from 1980-1987, 1989-1992 and 1994-2000 and the PGA Club Professional Championships in 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1993. |
| The Champion is a "must play" stop on any avid golfer's list and is included in the "Top 100" resort course rankings of several golf publications. In 2006, writer Brad Klein of GolfWeek magazine described The Champion as "an old Florida classic, core golf experience." |
| The PGA of America is located on course property. |
| --Source: Golf Course Superintendents Assocation of America |
|
| Tournament course history |
| Inverrary G&CC (East) |
Lauderhill, Fla. |
1972-1983 |
| TPC Eagle Trace |
Coral Springs, Fla. |
1984-1991, 1996 |
| Weston Hills G&CC |
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. |
1992-1995 |
| TPC Heron Bay |
Coral Springs, Fla. |
1997-2002 |
| CC at Mirasol (Sunset) |
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. |
2003-2006 |
| PGA National (Champion) |
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. |
2007-present |
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| This week's Kodak Challenge hole |
HOLE: The par-4, 434-yard 16th at PGA National
LAST YEAR: The 16th played to a stroke average of 4.185, with players recording 0 eagles, 44 birdies, 295 pars, 77 bogeys, 17 double bogeys and 2 others
DESCRIPTION: This dogleg right is the toughest par 4 of all of PGA National's 90 holes. Off the tee, everything slopes toward the water on the right, but a bunker was added to catch balls that roll too far right. Those who bail out left are faced with a 220-yard second shot over water, into the wind. |
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