Feb 18, 2023
THE CLASSIC IN THE PALM BEACHES EXPANDS ITS HOSPITALITY FOOTPRINT TO 300,000 SQUARE FEET AND DOUBLES UPPER TIER OF THE TWO-LEVEL GOSLINGS BEAR TRAP

The Double-Decker Goslings Bear Trap at the 17th hole at The Classic in the Palm Beaches was such a hit when introduced in 2022 that the tournament will expand the  upper-tier this year from 17 to 39 private suites. It will increase the square-footage of the Goslings Bear Trap from 45,000 to 60,000 square feet.

That’s one of the latest enhancements to the event long known as the most fan friendly on the PGA TOUR and one of the greatest spectator experiences in tournament golf.

The entire build on the PGA National Resort Champion Course has reached 300,000 square feet, which is the equivalent of constructing a neighborhood of 150, 2000-square-foot homes in a four-month period. It is the biggest build out in the history of The Classic in the Palm Beaches, which will be played February 20-26.

“Every year we look for meaningful ways to improve and grow,” Honda Classic Executive Director Andrew George said. “The transition to multi-level seating and viewing was incredibly well-received last year. We have more than doubled the Bear Trap Reserve hospitality venue and have improved the overall experience by creating additional dedicated food and beverage sections for suite holders to enjoy.”

The traditional main deck of the Goslings Bear Trap will continue to feature multiple food and beverage locations and vantage points to watch the action on the 16th green and 17th hole.

Goslings Bear Trap tickets are $150 daily.

Out on the course, there will be 24 public structures and activations open to general admission ticket holders.

• The hospitality offerings have been expanded at the 18th green to include a re-imagined Legends Club that now has nearly double its past space in addition to private Legends Suites behind the 18th green and an open-air viewing perch. The Sky Suites upstairs have been enlarged as well.
• Bleacher seating at the 17th hole has been expanded with three rows of seats that extend tee to green for the Pratt & Whitney Patriots Outpost and general admission ticket holders via FPL Patio and the new Drive Shack Public Seating.
• The Corona Premier Clubhouse has been expanded by 20% on the 15th green and a tunnel has been built underneath for the players to walk from the 15th green to the 16th tee. A closed circuit television feed will allow fans to watch the players make the walk through the tunnel.
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• The Duffy’s Zone @ 8, a spot where spectators can watch the approach shots over the water at the par 4, is expanding the space behind its bleacher seating. The zone includes multiple food concessions with outdoor picnic tables.
• Big Ass Fans will have a cool zone in the trees between the third and eighth holes. There will also be expanded concessions there including pizzas, BBQ and other unique items.

The Classic in the Palm Beaches was named the Most Fan First event of 2019 by the PGA TOUR largely because of the scope of the annual build-out. It was the second time that The Honda was recognized for its fan experience by the TOUR. After the tournament, it will take more than a month to disassemble all of the structures.

“We put a premium on creatively growing the fan experience while also managing the large crowds that frequent our venues around the course,” George said. “Each year has to be better than the last and we have been fortunate that we continue to gain support from the local community. It’s more than just a golf tournament now. The Classic in the Palm Beaches is a fixture in the community that people look forward to every single year.”

The following is a compilation of spectator venues around PGA National’s Champion course for The Classic in the Palm Beaches.

Main Entrance — The front door to The Classic in the Palm Beaches has been re-imagined with a full-size body of a Honda jet as its showpiece.

Driving Range — The Corona Beer Garden returns with a wide-variety of beers for fans to enjoy as the players practice. The new Coastal Living Outdoor Oasis presented by Universal Furniture is a new place where spectators can watch the pros hit balls on the range. The entire range area is sponsored by Tire Kingdom.

Hole 1 Tee – The first tee is a great place to see the entire field begin its round at The Classic in the Palm Beaches all four days with half the field also making the turn there in the first two rounds. The public bleacher is sponsored by Ideal Nutrition.

Hole 3 Green — Fans can watch the pros go for it in two at this reachable par 5. Spectators will see lots of birdies and eagles.

Hole 4 Green — Just short of the green, there is a hill where spectators can stand and watch all the action on the fourth hole, plus the sixth hole.

Hole 8 Green – The Duffy’s Zone @ 8 is an expanded new public spectator spot sponsored by Duffy’s. Spectators can watch the approach shots over the water at this par 4. The zone includes bleacher seating and a food concession with outdoor picnic tables.

Hole 9 Tee — The Corona Seltzer Bar will be the centerpiece of an area that also includes a backdrop for photo moments.

Hole 9 Green – The Seekr.com Terrace at 9 is open to the Public and also will be the location for After Play concerts Friday and Saturday.  A public viewing deck provides a great vantage point for the action and there are plenty of food and beverage options.

Hole 10 Tee – The Champagne Lounge features Taittinger within an upscale hospitality venue located behind the 10th Tee. The separate Tito’s At The Turn offers specialty drinks and a video board with upscale lounge seating.

Hole 10 Green — The Garden of Life Public Seating, The Classic in the Palm Beaches Cares Pavilion, and Citi Lounge (Citi Card required which is also good for 10% off concession purchases course-wide) all provide great places to hang out at The Honda. This hole can also be viewed from an expanded Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge, which provides covered seating and views of the 17th hole as well.

Hole 11 Tee — The Palm Beaches Cabana will feature upscale seating with a traditional Palm Beach feel that includes outdoor lounge furniture, a video board and food and beverage concessions.

Holes 12-15 — Between the 12th green and 15th green, the elevated Corona Premier Clubhouse provides a great spot to watch all the action on five different holes. From a pure golf standpoint, it might be the best vantage point on the course. And this year there is a closed-circuit video feed from the tunnel below where the players walk to the 16th hole.

Hole 14 Green — There is public seating in front of the Bear’s Den hospitality area.

Hole 16 — The Garrison Brothers Distillery Bunker provides unique food with a distinct Texas feel and beverages to match. There is viewing of 11 green off the back patio and great vantage point to watch all the action on this middle hole of the Bear Trap.

Hole 16 Green – Public seating to the left of the green is sponsored by Jupiter Medical Center.

Hole 17 – The Classic in the Palm Beaches’s signature hole provides a great vantage point. The Goslings Bear Trap and Cobra Puma Golf Village enclose the tee box and several other hospitality areas line the fairway. The Cobra Puma Golf Village includes a public bleacher and there is also public seating at the Tru Green Back Yard and the Drive Shack Public Seating area. The FPL Patio is another area with public seating. The Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge is an indoor/outdoor fun venue with live music and covered seating to watch the action on 17.

Hole 18 Tee — The new Honda Deck provides a public venue with front row tiered seating to watch the players approach the 18th tee as well as their tee shots. Nicklaus Neighborhood is the spot for family-friendly activities that involve the kids.

Hole 18 Green – Carrier is sponsoring public seating along the 18th fairway and green for fans that want to be there to cheer the players home and watch the final putt on Sunday.