(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) – PGA National Resort & Spa – South Florida’s world-class golf, getaway and meetings destination – proudly announces that it has been awarded the prestigious IAGTO Sustainability Award 2016 for the Americas region. This highly valued award solidifies PGA National’s exceptional commitment to the three pillars of sustainable golf: nature, resources and people.
PGA National has long been focused on sustainability throughout their extensive 800 plus-acre resort and golf complex. Dedicated Sustainable Development Manager and LEED Green Associate Kathy McGuire works closely with all departments throughout the resort, include golf course maintenance and operations, and holds each area accountable for strict guidelines. (Add quote here from Kathy M).
With its celebrated Championship Course, home of The Honda Classic and located alongside 12,000 acres of nationally-important wetland, PGA National has recognized the important role it has to play within this living landscape, along with its responsibilities to reduce its use of resources and enhance the benefits it can bring to its members, guests and the local community.
Some highlights of the club’s recent sustainability initiatives include: the conversion of turf grass species leading to 35% reduction in water use, 30% reduction in fungicide use and 20% reduction in overall fertility to the area; 100% of the site’s green waste is recycled and returned to the facility as mulch for organic fertilizer; $18,000 per year savings on electricity use due to installment of energy-efficient drives to irrigation pumps; and provision of free electric vehicle charging for guests and members. Director of Agronomy Brad Nelson oversees PGA National’s five golf courses and quoted, “ (add quote here from Brad)”.
As part of the partnership with Golf Environment Organization (www.golfenvironment.org), global golf tourism industry organization IAGTO (www.iagto.com) has once again recognized environmental and social excellence at the 16th annual IAGTO Awards ceremony, held on the Spanish island of Tenerife on October 8. The three awards, which represent the three geographical regions – Europe, Middle East and Africa, the Americas and Asia – reward and raise awareness of the tremendous work being done by many of IAGTO’s 800 golf courses and golf resorts around the world. The 2016 IAGTO Sustainability Awards were open to all GEO Certified® clubs.
About PGA National Resort & Spa
Fresh off its comprehensive $125 million revitalization, PGA National Resort & Spa is a world-class golf, spa, vacation and meetings destination. The South Florida locale offers 90 holes of championship golf on five courses, including the famed Champion Course, home to the popular PGA TOUR Honda Classic and past host of the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and several Senior PGA Championships. PGA National hosted the 23rd season of Golf Channel’s “Big Break” in early 2015.
The Champion Course showcases the legendary “Bear Trap” – one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in the game. Holes 15, 16 and 17 are where designer Jack Nicklaus famously said, “It should be won or lost right here.” The legendary resort also has the unique distinction of being home to both the David Leadbetter Golf Academy and Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, along with offering a PGA TOUR-level fitting experience at the PGA National Club Fitting Lab. At its off-site Estates Course, the resort additionally offers Every Ball Counts – the world’s first science-based, statistics-driven training system for golf improvement.
PGA National features customized suites ideal for weddings, golf “buddy trips” and spa aficionados. Its numerous multi-use settings include a permanent, lakeside wedding venue with stunning vistas; scenic Lakeside Lawn perfect for receptions; iDeck – a new 3,000-square-foot terrace ideal for indoor / outdoor dining and entertaining; and the 19th hole bar and grill named “Bar 91.” Other distinguishing highlights include a new 33,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Sports & Racquet Club with 19 Har-Tru tennis courts; 40,000 square-feet of self-contained conference and event space; and seven on-site restaurants and lounges.
Conveniently located within easy driving distance of major Florida population centers, the AAA Four Diamond resort is 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), one hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and 90 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA).
Please visit PGAResort.com or call 561.627.2000.
