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Local Knowledge: PGA National and The Honda Classic

- PGA.com

The task of managing a championship golf course is tough for any PGA Professional. How about managing five?! Overseeing operations at a facility that has hosted over 20 PGA Major Championships and is the new home course of the PGA TOUR's Honda Classic might seem formidable, but Bob Coman of PGA National says the best is still ahead.

PGA.com: Bob, golf fans know the name PGA National and the numerous big events it has hosted, but what can a visitor expect if they come to your facility to play some golf?

Coman: We are a 90 hole destination resort with elite amenities on all levels. We have 340 guest rooms, 50 guest cottages, five championship golf courses, three practice facilities, croquet, a top spa, Shula's Steak House, pretty much everything you could want in a golf/vacation destination. Well, we don't have a beach - but that's only seven miles away.

PGA.com: PGA National is celebrating its 25th year as a top golf facility. It has hosted over 20 PGA Major Championships and will now be a stop on the PGA TOUR. With a history like that, there must be several standout moments for the course. Can you think of any one in particular that really marks your course's spot in golf history?

Coman: There really are several special moments in golf that reside here. I wouldn't say any one is more special than another, but the 1983 Ryder Cup was definitely a highlight. The U.S. team, captained by Jack Nicklaus, won the match by one point. It was very tight and competitive, just a great Ryder Cup. Tony Jacklin captained the European team. That really stands out. But with so many other championship moments, all the Senior PGA Championships and the 1982 Grand Slam of Golf, well, there are just a lot of really special memories here.

PGA.com: You are also the home course for the PGA of America. At least, you share the same location and of course, the name. That seems like a lot of pressure, to represent the playing location of the PGA.

Coman: I wouldn't call it pressure, I'd call it an honor. To be the home facility of the largest sports association in the world, that's really a tremendous honor and privilege to represent the PGA of America.

PGA.com: And now you are hosting a PGA TOUR event.

Coman: Yes, we have signed a six-year deal to host The Honda Classic.

PGA.com: So all the PGA history, the name exposure, and now the PGA TOUR, where do you go from here?

Coman: We will continue to expand and enhance all of our facilities. With the television exposure of the TOUR, we will get a heightened interest from visitors and prospective members. We want to showcase the excellence of our courses, all the amenities, and opportunities for those who might want to come down and check us out.

PGA.com: What will your week look like during The Honda Classic?

Coman: We are very unique in that while The Honda Classic is going on, we will have the other courses open and available for play. So in addition to the merchandising and practice facilities for the TOUR event, we will manage the golf shop for the other courses as well.

PGA.com: So, people are literally teeing it up beside the TOUR players.

Coman: In a sense, yes.

PGA.com: With so much going on, and all the hats that you have to wear, what is the best part of your job?

Coman: I'd have to say that I meet some incredibly interesting people here. Between five golf courses, we have almost 150,000 rounds of golf each year. That's a lot of people, many of whom have great histories and backgrounds. Of course, we have wonderful members, but we also get visitors from all over the world. It's quite an education and experience interacting with the people who come through the clubhouse.

 
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