The PGA Golf Club Wanamaker Course opened in 1996 and is the first golf course named in honor of Rodman Wanamaker, the inspiration behind the3 formation of the PGA of America in 1916. The Wanamaker, arguably one of Florida’s toughest layouts, has a whole host of accolades to its name: it hosted the 2003 PGA Cup, the Callaway Golf Senior PGA National Professional Championship, the TaylorMade-Adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship, the Special Olympics National Invitational Championship and the National Minority Collegiate Championship.
Tom Fazio designed the PGA Wanamaker Course. As golf courses go, it’s a classic Florida layout set against a backdrop of wetlands, palm trees, and palmettos. The layout is considered as one of Florida's most beautiful and is currently ranked 21st in the State by Golf Digest. The course is typical Tom Fazio where the emphasis is placed upon getting successfully off the tee to set up the approach to the well-guarded greens. The fairways are tight, tilted and difficult to hit. The approaches are also tight and intimidating. The greens fast and undulating can be tough to read. The Wanamaker is one tough golf course.
Along with the Ryder Course, this was the first 36-hole facility ever owned and operated by the PGA. Located in Port St. Lucie, 45 minutes north of West Palm Beach - just minutes north of Stuart, right off I-95 and the Florida Turnpike.
The 18-hole Wanamaker Course at the PGA Village in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, plays 7,102 yards of golf from the tips for a par of 72. Designed by Thomas Fazio, the Wanamaker Course opened for play in 2006.
Contact:
PGA Village, 916 Perfect Dr., Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986-3029; Toll Free: (800) 800-4653, Fax: (772) 464-5598
Where to Stay:
When I am in the area, I usually try to stay and make my base camp at the PGA National Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach. It’s handy to the courses in and around Miami, and also those just to the north in Jensen Beach and Port St. Lucie.
Compare Prices for nights at PGA National Resort & Spa
Aside from the PGA Village itself, there are, of course, quite a number of fine hotels in the greater Miami area. Here is my Miami Hotel Guide of locations I am familiar with and have stayed at myself.
How to Get There:
The closest regional airport is West Palm Beach International Airport. The airport is served by almost all domestic airlines, including American, Delta, Continental, US Air, and United, along with several other regional airlines.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
And don’t forget: there are many other opportunities for great golf all over the world. Favorite locations include Scotland, Florida, the American Southwest, Bermuda, the Bahamas and many more. For up-to-date golf travel news and information, be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter.
