PGA National Resort – Golf & Glamour
Modern Luxury
December 12, 2022
After an extensive $100 million transformation, PGA National Resort is more than fabulous fairways—it’s the complete resort package.
Host of the annual Honda Classic, PGA National Resort has long been favored by golf enthusiasts. After a $100 million renovation, the sprawling property in Palm Beach Gardens is a vacation destination for anyone who appreciates high taste in design, decadent dining, rest and relaxation—and of course golf.
The rich history of this resort began in 1983 with the Ryder Cup, and since that time, its immaculate fairways and greens have been a destination for professionals and amateurs alike. In addition to the 90 holes of championship golf across five courses, the resort now features two new courses designed by Andy Staples: The Match and The Staple. These courses, along with the state-of-the-art Sports and Racquet Club, featuring 19 tennis courts, add an additional layer of sporty action to the traditional golf resort experience. And it’s not just the tennis or golf areas that got a face-lift. Tennis superstar Venus Williams and design firm V Starr led the redesign of the 40,000-square-foot spa. After a massage or facial, guests can soak in one of three outdoor mineral pools with enriching salts from around the world.
“With this transformation, nothing was out of bounds. Our goal was to disrupt the misconception of a one-dimensional golf resort with a 360-degree luxury travel experience,” says Patrick Brophy, managing director of PGA National Resort under the ownership of Brookfield Property Group. “In creating this tropical paradise, every aspect of our redesign was thoughtfully planned for a modern and current take on Palm Beach Gardens from its inception.”
With Lisa Simeone running point for the entire project, KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group led the charge for the repositioning and redesign of the property, including 360 guest rooms and private villas, along with architect Bradley T. Garven. “In our opinion, working as part of an overall team typically results in a superior end product,” says Simeone, co-principal of KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group. “Creating something where selected trades, artisans and other designers are encouraged to engage in the process always brings out the best in everyone and ideally creates something better than expected.” Stepping onto the black-and-white patterned carpet in the common areas, you are immediately transported to a luxurious and sleek tropical paradise with an outdoor main entrance framed with a mirrored red door, red and white awnings and lush greenery.
To reposition and redesign the resort, the designers immersed themselves in research to fully understand the current state of today’s golf clubs with the goal of creating the golf club of tomorrow. “The team set out to break the mold of the typical club and showcase what a real-and-relevant golf resort can and should look like,” adds Simeone. “The reimagined interior spaces blend a 1960s vibe with an Old Florida aesthetic, inspired by the area’s foliage and rich history.”
Taking lead on the design of the six new culinary concepts, ROHE Creative launched new dining destinations helmed by Top Chef alumni Jeremy Ford of Stubborn Seed in Miami and Lindsay Autry of The Regional Kitchen in West Palm Beach. Featuring a high-end dining experience in a sleek, stylish atmosphere with an air of 1950s cool, The Butcher’s Club by executive chef Ford has a dramatic setting with black marble tables beneath polished gold chandeliers. The menu includes selections from the raw bar, as well as select dry-aged cuts paired with an innovative cocktail menu and an extensive wine collection. Led by chef Autry, Honeybelle pays homage to the timeless beach cafes of South Florida with palm-leaf-green and white cushioned chairs covered by pastel green umbrellas.
The design theme throughout PGA National Resort pays homage to the charm and elegance of the 1960s in Palm Beach. 400 Ave. of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, pgaresort.com.
