Resort · 18 holes
PGA National Resort (Champion)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL — The Champion course at PGA National Resort, originally conceived by Tom and George Fazio for major tournament play and later redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2014, stands as one of golf's most formidable challenges. Known as 'The Champ,' this 7,045-yard layout is a true test of skill, characterized by tricky South Florida winds and pervasive water hazards that demand precision. Its legendary 'Bear Trap'—a daunting three-hole stretch comprising holes 15, 16, and 17—is widely regarded as one of the toughest finishing sequences in golf. The course's design philosophy, as described by The New York Times, evokes a 'king cobra of a course that rises without warning to strike down the world’s best golfers.' Despite its reputation for difficulty, five sets of tees ensure playability for all skill levels, offering generous landing areas and spacious TifEagle greens while still presenting strategic course management challenges. Hosting the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic each spring, The Champion is an essential experience for any avid golfer seeking to test their mettle against a course steeped in championship history.
Type
Resort
Region
Southeast
LooperScore
85.0
Holes
18
Par
72
Design & architects
- Tom Fazio — architect
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Nearby courses
Courses within 150 miles of PGA National Resort (Champion), by true distance.
PGA National Resort (Palmer)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL · 0.0 mi away
Named in honor of its legendary designer, Arnold Palmer, The Palmer course at PGA National Resort offers a more forgiving yet equally engaging championship experience. Palmer's design philosophy, evident in the course's risk-reward strategies and fair playability for high-handicappers, shines through its picturesque layout. Following a comprehensive renovation by Palmer himself in 2006, the course continues to embody his gambling style, encouraging creative shot-making and offering numerous opportunities for dramatic approach shots. The Palmer is celebrated for its stunning series of finishing holes, culminating in a memorable par 5 on the 18th. This course holds a special place in golf history, as Arnold Palmer famously won the PGA Seniors Championship here in 1984, delivering a legendary performance that included a record-breaking 63. Playing The Palmer is not just a round of golf; it's an emotional journey through a course designed by 'The King,' offering genuine fun and a chance to experience golf as he envisioned it.
PGA National Resort - Fazio Course
Palm Beach Gardens, FL · 2.3 mi away
PGA National Resort (Match Course)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL · 2.8 mi away
The Match Course at PGA National Resort is an Andy Staples design built exclusively for match play, featuring no tee markers, gambling half-par holes, and assertive putting surfaces that reference famous Raynor/Macdonald templates including the Knoll, Biarritz, Redan, and Punchbowl. Built over the top of the resort's former Squire Course, The Match offers a strategic, wit-based counterpoint to the power-demanding Champion Course next door. Golf Digest Best in State honoree.