The World's Best Golfers Converge on South Florida's PGA National

With the much-dreaded Polar Vortex once again wreaking frigid havoc this week in the Midwest and Northeast, the weather here in Palm Beach Gardens for the first stop of the PGA TOUR's "Florida Swing" is short-sleeve glorious.

With daily temperatures scheduled to hover around 80 degrees under predominantly sunny skies, the elite of the golfing world will vie on PGA National Resort & Spa's mighty Champion Course for the 2014 Honda Classic.

Using "elite" above isn't hyperbole. The field features seven of the top eight players in the Official World Golf Rankings. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson are among the luminaries set to tee it up. Few tournaments outside the majors have such a star-studded lineup.

For many players the event this week is a "home game" as the Palm Beach area is the primary residence of Woods, McIlroy, Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson and a host of additional premier players. Three hail from as close as just across the street - Old Palm Golf Club -- in Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.

Given the lovely South Florida weather along with the hip and happening Palm Beach social scene, easy access to idyllic Atlantic beaches, and trendy restaurants and watering holes, it's not hard to see why some of the biggest names in the game hang their golf visors in these parts.

Another reason for the wild success of the Honda in recent years is players' fondness for the Jack Nicklaus-designed Champion Course - the toughest layout on the 2013 PGA TOUR schedule (non-major venues) with an average per round score of 1.318 over par. Great golfers love challenging courses. Nicklaus recently added 62 new bunkers that the eventual winner will have to successfully navigate.

With four additional 18s including its splendid new Fazio Course, one would think PGA National would rest on its golf laurels. However, that's not the case as the property's recent $100 million revitalization co-headlines this week.
New enhancements include floor-to-ceiling makeovers of its 379 guest rooms; a permanent, lakeside wedding venue with stunning vistas; and total overhaul of its 19th hole bar and grill now called "Bar 91" complete with an outdoor fire pit and the perfect spot to have a cold drink and watch world-famous golfers stroll by.

Another ideal spot for people watching is the lively iBAR in the resort hotel lobby. Fans, locals, resort guests and TOUR stars all mingle into the night as many traveling players stay right "on campus." It's about as "inside the ropes" as we golf fans can get.

Joel Paige, PGA National's Vice President and Managing Director, says it best, "This is our eighth year hosting the Honda Classic and we're thrilled it has become so incredibly popular with the players and fans."

For more PGA National Resort & Spa information: www.pgaresort.com or call 561.627.2000.