Walk in the Footsteps of Golf Legends
Beautifully groomed fairways and fast greens have inspired championship play at PGA National since its opening in 1981. Decades of dramatic PGA Senior Championships, the dynamic Ryder Cup, and years of exciting PGA Honda Classic challenges have made PGA National the premier host of many of golf's most memorable moments and famous players. Relive these when you play at PGA National Resort, but for now, gain inspiration from our favorite anecdotes captured below.
1983 Ryder Cup
A DIVOT TO REMEMBER: THE RYDER CUP MATCHES
OCT. 14 TO OCT. 16, 1983
The 25th Ryder Cup Matches were anything but a repeat of past dominion by the U.S. In fact, this edition, staged at the Champion Course, served as a transition to a new era of compelling drama in the sport. With both the American and European sides in an 8-8 deadlock after two days of competition, the remaining 12 singles matches were intense and featured some of the event's most memorable shotmaking. Spain's Seve Ballesteros secured a halve with Fuzzy Zoeller when he struck a 240-yard 3-wood from a bunker on the 18th hole. The ball landed on the fringe of the green from where he chipped and saved par. Witnesses called the shot one of the greatest recovery performances in golf.
Later, American Lanny Wadkins fell three down with seven to play against Spain's Jose Maria Canizares. Wadkins trimmed the margin to one heading into the 18th hole, a par-5 dogleg left into the wind. Wadkins was encouraged when Canizares' approach came up short of the green. Wadkins then hit a 60-yard pitching wedge approach to within a foot of the hole for a tap-in birdie to halve the match. So overcome with joy was U.S. Captain Jack Nicklaus that he marched to the spot where Wadkins hit his shot and bent down and kissed the ground. The U.S. then watched as Tom Watson bogeyed the 17th hole but closed out Bernard Gallacher... who missed a 4.5-foot bogey putt, in a 2 and 1 decision.
1987 PGA Championship
IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY: THE 69TH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, 1987
Larry Nelson won his second PGA Championship, this under extremely humid conditions. He finished his 72-hole tour of the Champion Course with an even-par 72 for a 1-under-par 287. This forced a playoff with Lanny Wadkins, the 1977 PGA Champion. Nelson needed only a par-4 on the first extra hole to become the 15th multiple winner of the season's final major championship.
1982-2000 Senior PGA Championship
PGA National Resort & Spa has hosted some of golf's most memorable moments, many of which happened during Senior PGA Championships. From "The Champ's" debut in 1982 to Doug Tewell's historical win in 2000, browse this collection of our favorite tales and highlights from nearly two decades of Senior PGA Championships, culled from years of unforgettable shots and spectacular victories.
