By Craig Dolch
Palm Beach Par-3 has long billed itself as “golf on the ocean” — that’s even the name of the course’s Web site — and soon this statement will be more appropriate.
Thanks to a long-awaited $4.8 million renovation that combines public and private money, Palm Beach Par 3 will have 50 percent more holes on the Atlantic Ocean when it reopens Nov. 1. Architect and Palm Beach resident Raymond Floyd’s plans have expanded the ocean holes from four to six, as well as changing the routing of the course and the direction of all 18 holes.
“These are major changes,” said head professional Rick Dytrych, who has been at the club since 1978. “Not only are there more holes on the ocean, but you will now finish on the ocean. Before, most of the holes always ran north-south. But with the different layout of east-west holes, you’re going to see the wind play a much greater role out here. I think the golfers are really going to like that.”
Palm Beach Par-3 was once rated the best short course in the U.S. by Golf magazine, but the layout has been worn down by thousands of rounds every year and the ocean climate. Finding the resources to renovate the course likely wasn’t going to happen until Floyd, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, stepped in last year and led the effort.
Not only did Floyd volunteer his services for free, he helped raise more than $2 million in private donations from Palm Beach residents. The rest of the money came from the town of Palm Beach.
“Without Raymond, this doesn’t get done,” Dytrych said. “It’s as simple as that.”
Golfers will notice many other changes when the course reopens. Within the next month, the white sands that dominate the landscape will be grassed over with paspallum, an environmentally friendly turf that doesn’t require freshwater for irrigation. Installing paspallum is more expensive than conventional grass, but because it can be irrigated with brackish water from a well 1,400 feet beneath the course, it will save the course thousands of dollars in water costs.
Instead of two smaller lakes, there will be one large lake that brings water into play on four holes. Dytrych said each of the 18 holes will play longer by an average of 10 to 15 yards, but there will be multiple teeing areas so players can find their comfort zone. There also will be two putting greens (instead of one) and an enlarged range.
Dytrych said the second part of the project — building a state-of-the-art clubhouse that overlooks the ocean — has been delayed until probably 2011 because of zoning issues.
Greens fees will be higher when Palm Beach Par-3 reopens, Dytrych said, but he estimates by no more than 20 percent. There also will be discounts for Palm Beach residents and tourists who stay at Palm Beach hotels.
“The town of Palm Beach deserves a great golf course,” Dytrych said, “and that’s what we’re going to have.”
Lake Worth Municipal Golf Course
Chris Waller, club manager at Lake Worth Municipal Golf Course, said there were no major changes at the club this summer, but that won’t be the case next year.
“We felt with Palm Beach Par-3 and West Palm Beach Golf Club closed [for major renovations], it was important for us to stay open,” Waller said. “But the plan is to re-do all the greens here next year.”
Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course
No major changes this summer, according to golf course manager Greg Jerolaman. He hopes there will be some renovation work in 2010.
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