PGA Village Gets Major Facelift
By BRUCE VITTNER

What do you do to celebrate your tenth anniversary of owning and operating a golfing facility that has won numerous accolades and awards since opening in 1996? In the case of The PGA Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., you spend millions of dollars on a facelift to make it even better.

We had the opportunity to visit the PGA Village immediately after the PGA Merchandise Show in January. The property sits right at the bottom of exit 121 on Interstate 95. The PGA of America purchased the 430-acre property in 1993, and it is home to the PGA Historical Center, PGA Learning Center, and PGA Education Center, as well as 54 golf holes.

The first two courses were built in 1996 by Tom Fazio. They were called the South and North courses and Golf Digest ranked them the No. 1 and 7 Best New Affordable Public Courses in North America that year. R.I.’s own Dana Quigley won the first PGA-sanctioned event held there, the 1996-97 Srixon PGA Tournament Series.

In 1999 a third course was opened. Designed by Pete Dye, it was a links-style championship course with beautiful scenery. The Dye Course will be renovated by the summer of 2007.

The South Course has been renamed the Wanamaker Course in honor of Rodman Wanamaker who inspired the birth of the PGA of America in 1916. The North Course is now called the Ryder Course to honor Samuel Ryder who founded the Ryder Cup in 1927.

Fazio’s signature bunkering is all over both courses. You’ll see some of the largest and most difficult bunkers. The Wanamaker course plays through many wetlands, palms and palmettos, and is considered one of the most beautiful courses in Florida. The Ryder Course has more elevation changes, less water, but some of the water hazards will definitely come into play.

The renovation work overseen by Tom Fazio included rebuilding all 18 greens on both courses, renovation of 120 bunkers, enhancing the drainage system to keep the courses playable in wet weather, repairing all cart paths, adding 150 hitting areas at the practice facility and upgrading the dining areas and clubhouse.

Originally designed as a home away from home for PGA of America members, this facility is really impressive to visit. Besides the thousands of rounds played by PGA members on the courses, the public is welcome. You will find many things to do involving golf besides just playing. The Historical Center which opened in 2002 is a must see with original books dating back to the 1600s, trophies, beautiful golf art, and pictures from hundreds of events.

The PGA Learning Center is a prototype facility featuring some of the nation’s leading PGA Professionals. There are daily access and multiple-day golf schools. You might be taking lessons next to some PGA members who are working on their games. We saw Tom Johnson from Blissful Meadows in Uxbridge practicing and playing the day we were at the Village.

There is a 130-room Hilton Garden Inn  adjacent to PGA Village, and there are also villas for rent. The PGA Village makes a wonderful golfing vacation, or a great stop as you travel to or from Florida along Route 95. For information call 1-800-800-GOLF.

Bruce Vittner is a member of the Golf Writers Assn. of America and can be reached at bruce@oceanstategolfinc.com.