PGA National – Champion Course: The Bear Trap and a Major Florida Golf Stage
PGA National’s Champion Course is built for decisive moments, from its tournament history to the Bear Trap’s demanding holes 15, 16 and 17. Jack Nicklaus’s redesign sharpened a classic Florida championship layout.
The Champion Course is PGA National’s best-known golf layout and the home of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. Originally designed by Tom and George Fazio, it was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2014. The resort scorecard lists the course at par 72, with tee options ranging from 5,061 to 7,081 yards. Its identity is built around championship pressure, water hazards and the famous Bear Trap.
A championship course with a long tournament history
01 / COURSE
PGA National opened in 1981 and quickly became associated with major professional events. The Champion Course hosted the 1983 Ryder Cup and 1987 PGA Championship, and it later became the annual home of the Cognizant Classic. That history gives the course a tournament identity that visitors can feel even outside event week.
Jack Nicklaus’s 2014 redesign sharpened the strategic character of the layout. Water hazards, careful green placement and the need to control the ball create a challenge that rewards a complete game rather than one powerful shot.
The Bear Trap: three holes that can decide a round
02 / COURSE
The Bear Trap is the famous stretch of holes 15, 16 and 17. Hole 15 is a par 3 with water protecting several sides of the green; hole 16 requires a carefully positioned drive and an approach over water; and hole 17 is another demanding par 3 over the hazard. Wind direction can change the club choice and the risk on each hole.
The sequence is not only a television spectacle. It is a test of commitment and course management. Players who choose a realistic target and accept a safe part of the green can protect their score, while an aggressive attempt that misses the intended line can quickly become costly.
A resort booking experience in Palm Beach Gardens
03 / COURSE
The Champion is one of several courses at PGA National Resort. Visitors can plan a golf stay around the resort’s accommodation, dining and practice facilities, but should confirm which tee-time categories are available and whether any stay or package conditions apply to their dates.
The course can be set up at different lengths, so choose tees that suit your regular game. Tournament yardages may differ from the resort’s standard scorecard, and course conditions can change with event preparation and maintenance.
The Bear Trap is famous because every shot has a consequence.
Water, wind and narrow margins make holes 15–17 a defining test. The best response is a committed target and disciplined course management, not a reaction to the crowd or the scoreboard.
Reserve through PGA National Resort
PGA National Resort publishes tee-time information for the Champion and its other courses. Confirm current rates, access requirements, resort packages, event closures and the tee set available for your date before booking.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Who redesigned the Champion Course?
Jack Nicklaus redesigned the Champion Course in 2014; the original layout was by Tom and George Fazio.
What is the Bear Trap?
It is the demanding three-hole stretch of holes 15, 16 and 17 on the Champion Course.
What are the Champion Course’s par and length?
The resort lists par 72 with tee options from 5,061 to 7,081 yards.
Which tournament does it host?
The Champion Course is the home of the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.
