PGA National Resort, Golf & Spa… Golfers, Don’t forget the Spa!

We are all creatures of habit, especially us male golfers, play 18 holes and head for the bar!

Not a bad option at the PGA National Resort & Spa with Bar 91, which is the 19th hole when you have five 18-hole golf courses to choose from. But maybe the bar can wait until after the spa?

I had the most fascinating, enjoyable and memorable visit to PGA National for the PGA of America Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. While there, my original plan was to venture past the festivities and the resort luxuries themselves to play golf on The Champion course which annually hosts the Honda Classic to kickoff the Florida Swing on the PGA TOUR.

CLICK here to learn how I discovered the “Spa after Golf Option” at PGA National

After finishing golf I was headed to you know where when I was craftily intercepted by Ashley Spurlock, the Spa Group Sales Manager. As you can see in the video, it really did not take much persuasion for me to change my trajectory and head over to the spa for the Muscle Melt treatment by a skillful therapist with the name of Krisann.

I had always wondered how professional golfers dealt with muscle soreness after playing so much golf in one week. If you are like me, the few times I have played four days in a row I was sore, especially when doing so these past few years. I guess I am getting older like everybody else and there are normal age-related issues I feel like everybody else.

Massages for me were always great but came with a period of time afterwards before I was completely refreshed, restored and recovered. The massage felt great but the result wasn’t that my muscles were ready to go play golf again. After having my first Muscle Melt that starts with my body being wrapped up and heated up with a soothing mixture of herbal liniment blended with aloe, I felt ready for another nine holes or for a night of dancing. Actually I did play another nine holes of golf but passed on the dancing. I bet if I had another Muscle Melt body treatment I could have danced the night away!

I was so excited about the new spa experience I almost forgot to tell you about the golf!

It was spectacular and would have been for the fun and friendship of playing with my buddy Frosty but we were paired with 2007 British Amateur Champion Drew Weaver. He finished 8th this year on the PGA TOUR Canada and is exempt into the final stage of Q-School which will be held on the Champion and Fazio courses at PGA National in early December.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Drew Weaver, 2007 British Amateur Champion

That’s the thing about PGA National and The Champion course, with its long and exemplary history of competitive golf—the 1983 Ryder Cup won by the United States), the 1987 PGA Championship (won by Larry Nelson), and the Senior PGA Championship for 19 years, from 1982–2000. A 1981 George and Tom Fazio original, redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2002, The Champion became the home of The Honda Classic in 2007. In its short PGA TOUR history Ernie Els, Camilo Villegas and Rory McIlroy have won there.

In golf, one never knows who will be joining their foursome, but at PGA National it will likely be somebody good or entertaining or both as in our case. Either way you have a great golfing experience. The Champion course is like no other. To me it seems to ebb-and-flow, slowly and strategically revealing itself and challenging you up to and including the crescendo of the final four holes of the ‘Bear Trap’—the dramatic par-3 15th over water, the difficult par-4 16th, the more dramatic par-3 17th since the green is smaller and the end nearer and the exciting risk-reward par-5 18th home hole.

Technically, the last hole is not part of the televised ‘Bear Trap,’ but I think it should be. After all, who is safe from a bear until you have made it safely into the spa and are all wrapped up safe and warm?

If you have ever visited the PGA National Resort & Spa or partied in the lobby during the Honda Classic then you know the resort is simply fabulous in all regards. The lobby deck overlooking the pool has been expanded to 3,000 square feet and is now called the iDeck. It is a great spot to watch the fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights at the Honda. The best in Palm Beach dining can be found in 12 on-site eating options including my favorites—The Ironwood Steak & Seafood restaurant and Bar 91. See, you can make it to the bar after the spa!

CLICK here for an earlier article on the accommodations at the PGA National Resort & Spa

The resort is spectacular, the golf no better anywhere else in the world and the spa is ideal for golfers coming off the golf course. Don’t wait for Ashley to track you down the next time you play golf at PGA National. Book the golf, the spa and the table at Ironwood!

Mister Golfer, look, the spa, the spa, the spa… don’t forget the spa!