Feb 20, 2020
Fans First Philosophy at The Honda Classic Means Continued Expansion of Public Structures and Ingenuity in How They are Utilized

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – The Honda Classic has become known throughout the golf world as an event with one of the greatest fan experiences in the game, being named The Most Fan First event of 2019 by the PGA TOUR. That reputation has been earned through versatility in the annual build out of the grounds of PGA National Resort & Spa and the creativity in which those spaces are used.

More than 350,000 square-feet of public and private structures will greet fans when the 2020 Honda Classic returns February 24-March 1. Some new venues have been created and others expanded to accommodate the continued record crowds that have become a tradition at the PGA TOUR event.

“Our constant focus is on improving the fan experience and creatively growing our activations while also managing the large crowds that frequent our various structures around the course,” tournament director Andrew George said. “The recognition from The TOUR last year was validation of those efforts. We look forward to continue raising the bar in creating the best experience for those who attend the event.”

There will be more than 20 public activations on the golf course which have been under construction since the first hammer was pounded in mid-November. Construction is taking place on 12 different holes and the driving range involving more than 70 vendors who come together to help create the footprint of the event. After the tournament, it will take more than a month to disassemble the total build out.

What’s new in 2020?

• The Corona Premier Clubhouse on 15 will be on the left side of the 15th green and will provide nearly 5,000 square feet of 360-degree views with stadium style seating and a large tented structure. Fans will be able to see play on five different holes from the Corona Premier Clubhouse.

• Nicklaus Neighborhood is a new venue presented by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital behind the 18th tee which will be a family-friendly area with activities for kids and their parents including family-care suites for diaper changing and breast feeding, education on pediatric health and the Honda Classic dental van on display. The van tours the community year-round to provide free dental care to kids in need.

• The Tavern on 16 is double the size of previous hospitality locations on the 16th fairway. The entire structure will be tent-covered and feature bourbon, tequila and gin specialty cocktails by Salute Market as well as stadium seating.

• Drive Shack Public Seating on the left side of the 16th green will provide 200 seats open to the public with front-row viewing to the pivotal par four hole.

• The Ambassador’s Club, the home for nearly 200 Ambassadors of The Honda Classic and their guests, has been created as a wrap-around venue around the back of the 17th green. The build out for this venue involved anchoring a portion of the structure’s foundation in the water to the right side of the green.

Expanded structures will include the Sky Suites at the 17th hole which have added 1,000 feet for 2020.

The Waterford Club at 17, a shared hospitality venue overlooking the 17th green with a $295 daily ticket all inclusive of food and beverage, has also expanded by 1,000 square feet to more than 3,000 feet.

The Devonshire public seating area at the Bear’s Den Cabanas on the 14th green has grown slightly.

While there are a wide assortment of private hospitality spaces at The Honda Classic, the tournament has also made a major commitment to providing great vantage points for general admission fans. There is stadium-seating to enjoy front-row golf views on eight different holes - #1, #10, #12, #14, #15, #16, #17 and #18. That adds up to nearly 7,500 total public seats available on the course.

A great deal of attention has also gone into touching the various demographic groups who attend the tournament from the Lilly Pulitzer Lounge, a must-stop for female visitors to the Nicklaus Neighborhood for families to Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge and the Bear Trap for the social scene at the 17th hole.

“It’s all about creating the finest fan experience that we can,” Honda Classic Executive Director Kenneth R. Kennerly said. “Each year we challenge ourselves to make this event better 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 Honda Classic is a fixture in the community that people look forward to every single year.”