The Palmer
“The King” of Golf Courses at PGA National
Named after its legendary designer Arnold Palmer, this championship golf course is one of the more forgiving at PGA National Resort. It’s also one of our most overall entertaining courses for players of all skill levels. There are plenty of opportunities for creative shot-making, and picturesque approach shots abound. Paired with a great series of finishing holes (including the stunning par 5 on the 18th), The Palmer golf course is all about risks/rewards and genuinely fun. Just like its namesake.
Tour The Palmer
Set yourself up for success with a tour of The Palmer golf course and get Palmer tips from a Leadbetter Certified Instructor.
| Tee | Gender | Yardage | Par | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown | Mens | 7,077 | 72 | 74.7 | 142 |
| 1 | Mens / Ladies | 6,690 | 72 | Mens: 72.9 | Ladies: 79.4 | Mens: 139 | Ladies: 149 |
| 1/2 | Mens / Ladies | 6,329 | 72 | Mens: 71.1 | Ladies: 77.5 | Mens: 138 | Ladies: 145 |
| 2 | Mens / Ladies | 6,127 | 72 | Mens: 70.3 | Ladies: 76.3 | Mens: 133 | Ladies: 143 |
| 2/3 | Mens / Ladies | 5,855 | 72 | Mens: 69.4 | Ladies: 74.8 | Mens: 127 | Ladies: 139 |
| 3 | Mens / Ladies | 5,518 | 72 | Mens: 67.8 | Ladies: 72.9 | Mens: 121 | Ladies: 135 |
| 3/4 | Mens / Ladies | 5,177 | 72 | Mens: 66.3 | Ladies: 71.0 | Mens: 117 | Ladies: 129 |
| 4 | Mens / Ladies | 4,766 | 72 | Mens: 63.8 | Ladies: 69.0 | Mens: 116 | Ladies: 119 |
| 5 | Mens / Ladies | 4,044 | 72 | Mens: 61.3 | Ladies: 63.8 | Mens: 108 | Ladies: 103 |
Palmer History in the Making
As soon as he walked out of PGA National’s clubhouse, he was greeted by his legion of Arnie’s Army fans who wanted his autograph, a picture, and a chance to chat with the legend. Palmer didn’t disappoint.
He shot a 69 on The Champion course to tie Bob Toski, Doug Sanders, and Jack Fleck for the first-round lead. Then Palmer produced the kind of magic his fans came to see.
He made an eagle and seven birdies in the second round to fire a nine-under 63. It wasn’t just the course record at The Champion, it was the course record by five shots! The 63 also broke the tournament record and matched Gene Littler as the best score on the PGA Champions Tour. It also was Palmer’s best score in 18 years and gave him an eight-shot lead.
“Certainly, you get pumped up when you have a round like this,” Palmer said. “The conditions I felt were ideal, but I was making the shots. I can’t recollect when I had a round like this. Maybe in my dreams.”
The weekend almost proved to be a nightmare, however, when a cold front dropped the temperatures into the 40s with heavy winds. Palmer struggled to a 79 in the third round — almost a shot per hole higher — but he maintained a two-shot lead over defending champion Don January.
Palmer worked out his swing issues and made four early birdies in the final round to jump to a six-shot lead. That gave him breathing room to make three late bogeys and still win by two shots over January and earn the $35,000 first prize.
“I was glad to come out strong,” Palmer said. “Nobody wants to shoot a course record and not win.”
Palmer wasn’t just making birdies that week; he also was finalizing plans for his new course, The General, that would open in a few months at PGA National. The General was known for its risk-reward strategies — no surprise there, considering Palmer’s gambling style — and also being fair enough to accommodate high-handicappers.
In 2006, Palmer did a total renovation and PGA National officials honored him by re-naming the course The Palmer. The course continued to allow golfers to take chances, just as his namesake did throughout his career.
“It’s an emotional experience for many of our members and our resort guests to play on a course that’s named after Mr. Palmer,” PGA National Vice-President and General Manager Greg Saunders stated.
In addition to his victory in 1984, Palmer also finished third at PGA National in the 1982 Senior PGA Championship, fifth in 1988, and had three other top-20 finishes.
– By Golf Writer Craig Dolch for PGA National Rresort