After several days exploring Florida’s Treasure Coast, where Spanish galleons still wash ashore, my friend and I headed south to Palm Beach Gardens and the sprawling PGA National Resort & Spa. We arrived on Sunday shortly before the pros teed off for the final round of the PGA Honda Classic, one of the resort’s premier events. The place was a hive of fans and media, but the bell staff quickly dispatched our car to valet parking and our luggage to storage until our room was ready.

© Dale Leatherman

At the 18^th green, we watched a procession of foursomes, including four of the world’s top 10 players, finish their rounds on the notorious Nicklaus-designed Champion Course, one of the resort’s five highly regarded layouts.

After Rickie Fowler clinched the win, the hotel’s sprawling iBAR in the lobby erupted, with a live band playing and revelers celebrating with the bar’s signature PGA Tini (Ketel One Vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry and lemon juice).

The resort’s new Ironwood Steak & Seafood restaurant was a quiet oasis after the revelry in the iBAR and despite the full house our server was engaging and unhurried. The floor-to-ceiling wine cellar was impressive, as were the wines recommended for our entrées — fresh local snapper and Australian Wagyu steak. Dinner was delightful, and we could see why Ironwood has risen above the considerable local competition. It’s only open for dinner, but its menu is available in the iBAR and iDECK, a terrace overlooking the pool.

Our room was spacious with modern furnishings, considerate amenities and a balcony overlooking shady gardens. One day, after playing golf, we followed a path through those gardens to The Spa, recently renovated, where we had a choice of 100 treatments. After a soak in the Waters of the World (mineral pools with salts from different lands), we enjoyed massages by John and Mary, who have been at the resort 15 and 25 years, respectively. It’s always a good sign when talented employees who can work anywhere choose to stay put.

We only had time to play two of the resort’s five courses, including Tom Fazio II’s redesign of The Haig, which debuted in 2012 as The Fazio. It’s an enjoyable resort course that packs a punch from the back tees. We were smitten with The Palmer, named for its late great designer, Arnie Palmer. Like The Fazio, it’s a forgiving layout with wide fairways and generous greens, but the aggressive fairway mounding and ever-present water make for many memorable holes. The scenic 18^th hole is a legitimate par 5 that ends with a watery threat near the green.

The Champion Course deserved a break after the wear and tear of the Honda Classic. It’s one of the most difficult courses on the PGA Tour, and its infamous Bear Trap (holes 15, 16 and 17), is considered the toughest golf challenge in Florida. We only had time for a quick ride-around, but we’ll be back to play it someday, along with The Squire and The Estates.

PGA National Resort & Spa

400 Ave. of the Champions
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
tel 800 863 2819