EXPANSION FUELS EXCITEMENT AT THE BEAR TRAP
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – The arrival of The Honda Classic to PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion course last year turned renewed focus onto The Bear Trap – a three hole stretch from Nos. 15-17 that presents one of the greatest challenges in South Florida golf.
The Honda created specialty seating areas so fans could watch the action. During the course of the four-day event, the tournament field played the three holes in a combined 245 over-par. More than 35 percent of the penalty shots taken in the tournament took place at The Bear Trap.
In 2008, The Bear Trap is back at The Honda Classic.
The holes are staying the same.
But everything going on around them will be bigger and better.
It starts with the seating area overlooking the 16th green and 17th tee. The Heineken Premium Light Bear Trap area has been doubled in size to a 5,760 square-foot hospitality marquee. There will be upgraded food and beverage available, plasma televisions providing coverage of The Honda Classic and tiered seating and lawn chairs on the marquee’s exterior. Tickets for the Bear Trap are $300 for the week.
The 17th hole, a 190-yard par-three across water, has evolved into a signature hole of sorts for the Honda, the tournament’s version of the 16th hole in Phoenix, the island green at the 17th hole at the TPC at Sawgrass or hole No. 16 at Augusta.
Seventeen green-side skysuites, up from 11 in 2007, will form the backdrop for the challenging par three as companies entertain their clients amid the festive atmosphere.
The FPL Pavillion has been expanded to a 2,322 square-foot public hospitality area that will have upgraded food and beverage, plasma televisions with a live feed of the tournament broadcast, and covered stadium seating with unobstructed view of the play on the 17th.
“The Bear Trap was able to generate a lot of excitement last year, particularly on Sunday when the final groups came through,” Honda Classic Executive Director Kenneth R. Kennerly said. “I really think that The Bear Trap combined with the hospitality options that we are making available there will continue to be one of the main focal points of the tournament and build a positive reputation on the TOUR.”
Hospitality options at the 18th hole remain the primary vehicle for corporations looking to entertain their clients at The Honda. The tournament has sold 28 sky suites and chalets at the finishing hole and also is offering The Champions Club at Nicklaus Village, a 5,200-square-foot upscale, all-inclusive entertainment option on the 18th fairway. Outdoor observation decks of the 18th and 10th holes will provide premium views and high-end catering.
Anyone interested in the special hospitality packages for The Champions Club, Chalets or Skysuites (18th hole), or The Bear Trap (17th hole) can call Joanie Connors at 561-799-4619 to order.
The Honda Classic, Palm Beach County’s largest sporting event, awarded more than $505,000 to area children’s charities in 2007, allowing the tournament to surpass the $15 million mark in charitable contributions during American Honda’s 27-year tenure as title sponsor.
The 2008 Honda Classic will be played February 25-March 2 at PGA National Resort & Spa.
Individual daily tickets can be purchased for $15 (Tuesday and Wednesday), $25 (Thursday and Friday) or $35 (Saturday and Sunday).
Call 1-866-8HONDA8 (866-846-6328) to order tickets or visit thehondaclassic.com.