Public Play · Palm Beach
PGA National Resort — The Champion CoursePalm Beach Gardens
Home of the Bear Trap and the Cognizant Classic - Palm Beach's flagship PGA Tour layout.
Par
72
Yardage
7,081
Rating · Slope
75.4 · 144
Holes
18
Green Fee
$250–$500
The Course
About PGA National Resort — The Champion Course
The Champion Course at PGA National Resort is the host of the Cognizant Classic (formerly Honda Classic) on the PGA Tour - a Tom Fazio-renovated layout anchored by the Bear Trap, three consecutive water-surrounded holes on the back nine (15, 16, 17) that have ended more tournaments than any other stretch in South Florida golf. At 7,048 yards from the tips, it's the most demanding of PGA National's five courses and the one you book if you only have time for one round in Palm Beach Gardens.
History
PGA National Resort — The Champion Course — History
The Champion Course opened in 1981 and was reshaped by Jack Nicklaus, whose 1990 makeover created the Bear Trap - the punishing run of holes 15 through 17. It has hosted the PGA Tour's Palm Beach Gardens event since 2007, known for years as the Honda Classic and now the Cognizant Classic.
Design
PGA National Resort — The Champion Course — Design
Known as The Champ, and built by Tom and George Fazio in 1981 specifically to host the 1983 Ryder Cup. Jack Nicklaus has treated it as an ongoing project since the 1990s, returning in 2014 and 2018. It is quintessential South Florida golf taken to its limit: water is in play on all but two holes, the fairways are narrow, the greens small and ringed by deep bunkering. Because the routing is relatively open, the winter breeze is a live factor -- which is why the closing stretch has the reputation it does.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play PGA National Resort — The Champion Course
Host of the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic and home of the fearsome Bear Trap, the Champion is one of the toughest resort tests in Florida, with water in play on fifteen of eighteen holes.
Signature Holes
PGA National Resort — The Champion Course — Signature Holes
The Card
PGA National Resort — The Champion Course Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 365 | 436 | 538 | 392 | 171 | 487 | 225 | 427 | 403 | 3,444 | 544 | 449 | 440 | 389 | 462 | 178 | 444 | 173 | 558 | 3,637 | 7,081 |
| Handicap | 11 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 15 | 9 | 5 | — | 6 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 2 | — | — |
Good to Know
PGA National Resort — The Champion Course — questions answered
- How do I book a tee time at PGA National Resort — The Champion Course?
- PGA National Resort — The Champion Course accepts online tee-time bookings. Golf in FL links the exact booking page on this course's listing.
- How much does it cost to play PGA National Resort — The Champion Course?
- Green fees at PGA National Resort — The Champion Course are typically $250 to $500, varying by season, day of week and time. Confirm current rates when you book.
- Who designed PGA National Resort — The Champion Course?
- PGA National Resort — The Champion Course was designed by Tom Fazio (1990 renovation), Jack Nicklaus / Ed Seay (original 1981) and opened in 1981.
- What is the par and yardage at PGA National Resort — The Champion Course?
- PGA National Resort — The Champion Course plays to a par of 72 over 7,081 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 75.4 and a slope of 144.
- Is PGA National Resort — The Champion Course public or private?
- PGA National Resort — The Champion Course is a premium course with two ways on: it releases a limited block of public tee times you can book on GolfNow, or you can arrange access through a casino host — often comped as part of a casino stay.
- Where is PGA National Resort — The Champion Course located?
- PGA National Resort — The Champion Course is located at 400 Ave of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418, in the Palm Beach area of Florida.
More in Palm Beach
More golf courses in Palm Beach
George & Tom Fazio (1980); renovated by Tom Fazio II · Palm Beach Gardens
PGA National Resort — The Fazio Course
PGA National's Tom Fazio original - par 72, more forgiving than the Champion, equally well-conditioned.
Andy Staples · Palm Beach Gardens
PGA National Resort — The Match Course
PGA National's most compact layout - purpose-built for match play and twilight rounds.
Arnold Palmer · Palm Beach Gardens
PGA National Resort — The Palmer Course
Arnold Palmer's contribution to the PGA National campus - par 72 with a lakeside back nine.
How to Play It
Book a Tee Time at PGA National Resort — The Champion Course.
PGA National Resort — The Champion Course is semi-private — it still releases public and twilight tee times. Find and book them on GolfNow.
Golf in FL is an independent guide — we don’t sell tee times or mark them up. We map the exact way on.
Make a Day of It
Dining & nightlife around your round.
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