It's easy to understand why PGA Tour Players, "Snowbird" Club Champs, young prodigies & PGA Club Pros, assemble in Palm Beach County, more particularly - Jupiter, Jupiter Island, Tequesta & Palm Beach Gardens. Sure, we have a premier boating, fishing, surfing and beach life. Combine that with dozens of fantastic golf clubs and it spells paradise for golfers. The tough decision, though, where do you dream of being a member? It all depends, really, on your desired lifestyle, and I can help. Let's take a look at the favorites...
A popular choice is Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound. Medalist is pure golf, great players, and excellent camaraderie. On the range, you'll see Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Stacy Lewis, all of whom are members. On the course, you'll see "friendly" games with Jesper, Kuehne, Driscoll, Marino, & Turnesa. On the short game area, you'll see Cameron Tringale & Bud Cauley practicing toward their 1st PGA Tour victory. In the locker room, you'll see Ian Baker-Finch and Tim Rosaforte, who may mention your name on TV. The homes at Medalist are equally as special. Medalist Village Club consists of single family homes & townhomes. Medalist Village includes an Australian Pub, built by Aussie legend, Greg Norman. The Club offers a world class, Shark-designed, Par 3 course, tennis courts, & fitness centers.
The cream of the crop in Jupiter is the Jack Nicklaus built Bears Club. Jack manages the Bears Club in a similar fashion to how he won Majors, with class. Everything is immaculate, from course conditions to dining and amenities, to the PGA Professional teaching staff. The Tour player members include Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Keegan Bradley, Camilo Villegas, & Michelle Wie. Michael Jordan & Ahmad Rashad also have beautiful homes in the Bears Club. The homes at the Bears Club are among the most memorable in all of Florida. They are massive, luxurious homes with all upgrades imaginable, on lots of one or more acres. The Bears Club is a truly spectacular place to hang your hat.
The swanky Old Palm Golf Club, in Palm Beach Gardens, rounds out the stomping grounds for the PGA Tour. Global star Lee Westwood, & Major Champions, Louis Oosthuizen, & Charl Schwartzel each live in Old Palm. The Ray Floyd designed golf course proves as a tough test. Known for its first-class practice facility & clubhouse, it's an inviting hangout for the world's best. The homes at Old Palm are exquisite. Old Palm builder Gary Hartogh was awarded "America's Best Builder 2013? by Builder Magazine. Old Palm is prime real estate in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens, with impressive lot sizes, ½ acres - 2 acres, and a variety of single-family homes.
The serenity of the 456 acre Old Marsh Golf Club, in Palm Beach Gardens, provides a unique lifestyle for South Florida. A small and exclusive, gated community, tucked away and intimate, Old Marsh is Palm Beach Gardens' best-kept secret. Surrounded on three sides by hundreds of acres of beautiful nature preserves and wetlands that will never be developed, Old Marsh offers 180 half-acre home sites with marsh, lake, or golf course views. All of the residences here are custom estate homes and many are situated on two or three lots. The championship golf course was designed by highly acclaimed Pete Dye and consistently is ranked one of the best in the country. Old Marsh Golf Club, with its newly-renovated clubhouse, decorated in rich dark woods and comfortable fabrics that create a warm and friendly atmosphere, continues to preserve the true traditions of golf. Here, no starting times are required and a nationally-acclaimed caddy program enriches your experience on the course. Old Marsh Golf Club is recognized as one of the top 35 private clubs in the country and Audubon International awarded it certification for its environmentally enhancing design and maintenance.
Trump National Golf Club Jupiter, the Club at Admirals Cove, Loxahatchee Club, and Jonathan's Landing Golf Club are impressive clubs in Jupiter. Each has its own unique & extravagant attributes. Donald Trump bought the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, so imagine the quality of life! Every inch of the property is as carefully manicured as "The Donald's" hairstyle. The award-winning Admirals Cove is loaded with amenities. The homes at Admirals Cove have deep-water docks suitable for mega yachts, & golf course views, the best of both worlds! The Loxahatchee Club is "Old Florida," homes with big beautiful lake views bordering a Jack Nicklaus golf course. Jonathan's Landing is minutes to Juno Beach, with 3 difficult golf courses. Homes at Jonathan's Landing are on the water, many have private docks & golf course settings.
The "My Hidden Gem of Jupiter" award goes to the Dye Preserve. It's a stepping stone for the rising stars of the PGA & LPGA. Players like Scott Langley, Morgan Hoffman, & Azahara Munoz play at the Dye. The level of competition filters from the membership to the professional staff. From Big Break contestant & Teaching Professional, Hiroshi Matsuo to LPGA star & Membership Director, Anna Grzebien. It's an ideal club to join if you own a house on the Loxahatchee River or a Juno Beach ocean condo.
Other upper echelon clubs in Jupiter are some of the finest, including Seminole Golf Club, Lost Tree Club, and Jupiter Island Club. These clubs are exclusive, with memberships of world leaders, business founders, and CEOs. The views walking down the 18th fairway at Seminole compare to the 18th hole at Pebble or the 12th hole at Augusta. The history and membership are maybe only rivaled by Augusta National. Lost Tree Club is "Old Florida," with "Old Money," and homes on the beach! Jupiter Island Club provides a friendly, unpretentious atmosphere while exhibiting world-class service.
Wait, there's more! PGA National, home of the Honda Classic, has 5 golf courses, homes with golf course & lake views. Jupiter Hills hosted the US Amateur Championship in 1987, won by Billy Mayfair. Turtle Creek is a best-kept secret in Tequesta, a fabulous golf course & location. Tequesta Country Club is a very relaxing and friendly atmosphere. Mirasol has 36 holes of golf, with an abundance of amenities. BallenIsles Country Club, which hosted the 1970 PGA Championship won by Jack Nicklaus, Frenchman's Creek and Frenchman's Reserve all are residential golf communities that have full active memberships, a packed schedule of social functions, and hundreds of homes.
There's a reason Palm Beach County is often called the "Golf Capital of the World." Palm Beach County has 148 golf courses, from the best architects in the world such as Donald Ross, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, & Ray Floyd. You can live on many of these courses and I can help you find the right home for you. If you cannot decide which club will fit your lifestyle, maybe you can switch sports and move to the beach!!
Written by David Murray, Realtor®
Photo Source and Credit: Medalist Golf Club, Hobe Sound, Florida