PGA of America Transforms PGA Country Club into St. Lucie Trail Golf Club

If you are traveling to south Florida to play golf at some of its many great courses, you should take a detour to St. Lucie County. Why? Because it's the beginning of a new era in golf in St. Lucie County, specifically at the St. Lucie Trail Golf Club (formerly the PGA Country Club) in Port St. Lucie - located one mile east of I-95 at exit 121.

On November 1, the St. Lucie Trail Golf Club - owned and operated by the PGA of America -- opened its doors to the general public, aka the community. The days of this fine layout (www.pgavillage.com) being a private course are in the past. And, after more than 18 months of work on this course, it is looking and playing the way it was originally designed by Jim Fazio in 1988. The revamping of the course was directed by golf course superintendent Dick Gray, a protege of Pete Dye.

"The PGA of America is extremely proud to unveil St. Lucie Trail Golf Club, as golfers from the local community and surrounding counties can now enjoy unparalleled public access to this beautiful course," said Jimmy Terry, PGA general manager for St. Lucie Trail Golf Club. "In addition, the course will serve as a national testing ground for player development programs originated by the PGA of America, in order to further grow the game, both here in St. Lucie County and across the country."
One of the main reasons why the St. Lucie Trail GC has been rejuvenated is because of the infusion of the right people at the right time. And, the attitude at the St. Lucie Trail GC has been upgraded, too. Now, this club is focused on serving the local community.

Transforming this course to a public access facility was "the right thing to do" according to Terry, who has worked at TPC San Antonio and TPC Harding Park.
"We now offer quality golf at a value," notes Terry. "We want to be the good neighbor in the community. The key point in our strategy is to focus on the local community."

Terry and his 'team' at the St. Lucie Trail GC are convinced that they will re-build this club's 'brand,' simply from people playing at this course. Terry knows that once golfers try it, they will like it. And, based on word of mouth, golfers from other communities will show up at Terry's new 'doorstep,' too.

Besides having Terry as the leader of the 'team' at St. Lucie Trail GC, the addition of Gray was a key part of the revival of this course.

Terry and Gray are an interesting team. Terry is a tall Texan, while Gray, always seen wearing a straw cowboy hat, comes from Indiana. Go figure. IEven though they have never worked together, their talents are a perfect complement. And, the current quality of the St. Lucie Trail GC is a reflection of their partnership - with quality workmanship being the only acceptable outcome.

Who benefits from this partnership? The community!

The St. Lucie Trail GC is "a traditional Florida golf course," says Terry. It has the right mix of trees, sand, water and wind.
Now, there's a natural flow to this course when you play it.

"There is a rhythm that you feel when you play the St. Lucie Trail Golf Club," says Gray. "Every hole tends to complement the next one."

Overall, the greens are not big and if you miss the putting surfaces with your approach shots, there's a great opportunity to get 'up & down.' The greens are fair and true so any well-struck putt should be rewarded If you don't like golf carts, this is an enjoyable course to walk.

In addition to having a first-class layout and driving range, the St. Lucie Trail GC is now the home for the Player Development program called FootGolf, which combines both soccer and golf.

"It's a unique, innovative way to expose our facility to families and children, but also some non-golfers who have never even been on a course before," says Terry.
And, as a bonus, the St. Lucie Trail GC is less than a five-minute drive from another golfing 'jewel' - the PGA Village, which includes the Ryder, Wanamaker, and Dye courses, all open to the public. And, there's the PGA Museum of Golf, where golf's major championship trophies are on permanent display.
As promised, the price tag to play golf at the St. Lucie Trail GC is quite reasonable. Rounds will range from $49 in the summer to $89 during the winter season.
When you call (772-340-1911) for your tee time at the St. Lucie Trail GC (951 SW Country Club Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL), tell the pro shop that you are from the community. If so, you'll be treated well. Don't be surprised if Terry rolls out the red carpet for you. It's what every good neighbor would do, right?