Inside the course: PGA National, Champion Course (PGATOUR.com)

March 1, 2010

Waialae Country Club, in the heart of Hawaiis state capital — Honolulu, paints the perfect picture of the islands.

The TOUR heads to the East Coast this week for The Honda Classic at the PGA National Resort and Spa – Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Learn more about this venue.

Fast facts Course Superintendent Blair Kirby Original architect Tom Fazio (1981) Redesign Jack Nicklaus (2001) Par value 70 Number of TOUR events as host venue 4 (including 2010) Course ranking Ranked 7 (out of 51) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2009 Yardage history 7,241 (2007) 7,158 (2008-present) Grass Bermudagrass; perennial ryegrass (tees, fairways, rough); Tifeagle bermudagrass (greens) Tournament Stimpmeter 10.6 ft Sand bunkers 78 Water hazards 26 Course tour Click here Course record PlayerLuke DonaldGreg Chalmers Year20082009 Round1st2nd Finish2ndT22 Holes-in-one Player Year Hole Ben Crane 2009 No. 5 2009 RankingsMost Difficult Hole The par-3 190-yard 17th Although there are eight sets of tees for recreational play, this shortest hole on the Champion Course is by no means the easiest. With the wind in your face or when it's blowing left to right toward the water to the right—and a bunker long and left—the only place to put your tee ball is on the green. With just a 30-foot landing area there, the toughest pin is middle left.2009: 0 eagles, 27 birdies, 264 pars, 99 bogeys, 36 double bogeys, 9 others.Easiest hole The par-5 538-yard 3rd Nicklaus' redesign eliminated the mid-fairway water hazard, making it a fairer hole. The second shot is a gamble for those wishing to try for the green in two. A long bunker keeps balls from rolling into the water. It's a straight shot to the green from left center of the fairway, but a bunker on the right makes a pin in the back right hard to reach. 2009: 0 eagles, 144 birdies, 247 pars, 37 bogeys, 7 double bogeys and 0 others. PGA National2009 rankings Last 3 years Hole Par Yards Avg. Score Rank Avg. Score Rank 1 4 365 3.88 15 3.913 17 2 4 464 4.009 13 4.081 10 3 5 538 4.786 18 4.763 18 4 4 376 3.88 15 3.919 16 5 3 217 3.06 11 3.128 7 06* 4 479 4.366 2 4.377 1 7 3 226 3.085 9 3.089 9 8 4 427 4.115 8 4.067 12 9 4 421 4.051 12 4.061 14 10 4 508 4.117 7 4.201 4 11 4 450 4.083 10 4.186 5 12 4 427 4.143 5 4.076 11 13 4 388 4.126 6 4.091 8 14 4 465 3.979 14 4.065 13 15* 3 179 3.322 3 3.273 3 16 4 434 4.168 4 4.177 6 17* 3 190 3.395 1 3.305 2 18 5 604 4.823 17 4.951 15 Course origins One of Florida's most notable golf challenges is found on the legendary Champion course. Originally designed by George and Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus redesigned the Champion in 1990, adding the feared "Bear Trap" grouping of holes 15, 16 and 17. The Champion is currently the home of the PGA TOUR's Honda Classic, benefiting the Nicklaus Children's Healthcare Foundation (and an integral part of the FedExCup) and has been the site of the 1982 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the 1983 Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA Championship and the PGA Seniors' Championships from 1982 to 2000. It has also been the site of the PGA Junior Championships from 1980-1987, 1989-1992 and 1994-2000 and the PGA Club Professional Championships in 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1993. The Champion is a "must play" stop on any avid golfer's list and is included in the "Top 100" resort course rankings of several golf publications. In 2006, writer Brad Klein of GolfWeek magazine described The Champion as "an old Florida classic, core golf experience." The PGA of America is located on course property. —Source: Golf Course Superintendents Assocation of America Tournament course history Course Location Years Inverrary G&CC (East) Lauderhill, Fla. 1972-1983 TPC Eagle Trace Coral Springs, Fla. 1984-1991, 1996 Weston Hills G&CC Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 1992-1995 TPC Heron Bay Coral Springs, Fla. 1997-2002 CC at Mirasol (Sunset) Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 2003-2006 PGA National (Champion) Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 2007-present This week's Kodak Challenge hole HOLE: The par-4, 434-yard 16th at PGA NationalLAST YEAR: The 16th played to a stroke average of 4.185, with players recording 0 eagles, 44 birdies, 295 pars, 77 bogeys, 17 double bogeys and 2 othersDESCRIPTION: This dogleg right is the toughest par 4 of all of PGA National's 90 holes. Off the tee, everything slopes toward the water on the right, but a bunker was added to catch balls that roll too far right. Those who bail out left are faced with a 220-yard second shot over water, into the wind.