“The survey, which included hundreds of U.S. courses, examined overall strength of routing, feature shaping, natural settings, greens, variety and the overall aura of holes, conditioning-maintenance, landscape management as well as other criteria.  Located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, the PGA National Resort & Spa is home to the PGA TOUR Honda Classic, and as of November 4, 2010 was announced as the 47^th best overall course by Golfweek’s 2011 “Best Resort Courses” national rankings, moving drastically up the list from the No. 96 position in 2010.  The Champion features the “Bear Trap,” one of the most demanding, three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour.  

Recently, the resort completed $65 million worth of comprehensive revitalization projects, which include; a new front entrance, outdoor pool and pavilion, new Ironwood Grille and iBAR, enhanced public areas, golf courses and landscaping.  A national premier golf vacation and meeting destination, the legendary 379-room Florida resort also features a 40,000 square-foot European Spa with 32 treatment areas, a world-class 33,000 square-foot health-and-racquet club with 19 Har-Tru tennis courts, 40,000 square feet of self-contained conference space and nine on-site restaurants and lounges. A collection of outdoor mineral pools called “Waters of the World” are a compiling of healing waters from the Earth’s most treasured locations. Centrally located to the hotel is the resort’s zero-entry pool; a refreshing, tropical retreat surrounded by lush palm trees.

The Resorts Golf History

In addition to the Honda Classic, The Champion’s traditional history includes hosting of the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, and nearly two decades of the Senior PGA Championship. Additionally, guests can enjoy golf play on The Palmer, The Squire, The Haig and The Estates courses. The PGA National Resort & Spa has the unique distinction of being home to both the David Leadbetter Golf Academy and Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, as well as a strong offering of tour-level fitting experiences at the PGA National Club Fitting Lab.  The PGA National’s Vice President and Managing Director, Joel Paige was quoted as saying, “Our rise up Golfweek’s ratings further validates that PGA National offers an extraordinary resort experience…with The Champion course, our four other outstanding layouts, renowned golf academies, world-class spa, fine dining and plentiful array of amenities, we provide our guests a stay they’ll never forget.”

In early 2010 Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, FL was voted as a new Silver Medalist in Golf.com’s 2010 Premier Resorts awards.  The property is owned by Salamander Resorts, whose founder, Sheila Johnson, has invested millions of dollars in an effort to spawn new life into the property, and according to Golf.com the results are obvious in the improved rooms, restaurants and golf course conditions.

Innisbrook pioneered the concept of using condominiums as a resort’s lodging component.  The Innisbrook Golf and Resort is great for vacationers because the condominium-style resort is flexible for friends and family, and the low-rise lodges nestled in the wooded landscape provide a very relaxed and casual atmosphere; on-premise accommodations are 28 lodges, consisting of 620 rooms and suites.  Each lodge and suite feature living areas and kitchens ready for stay-in cooking.  If you are in the mood for dining, local dishes include Packard’s Steak House.  Among the ,and available to guests are a; spa, tennis courts, lake fishing and four swimming pools.

What about the Golf?!…the four courses lucky guests have to choose from are; Copperhead, Island, North and South.  The Copperhead is defined by thick-rough, massive pines, awkward and altering slopes and huge bunkers; designed by Larry Packard, this gem has been hosting the PGA Tour since 2000.  The Island course hosted the 1990 NCAA Men’s Championship, which was won by Phil Mickelson; this course is more flat than Copperhead with less dramatic bunkering, and hides the many water dangers well.    The North and South courses carry less skill requirements, but provide for relaxing leisure rounds, or an opportunity to consciously work on technique. 

Innisbrook is a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort and is located in Palm Harbor, FL.