Florida's Treasure Coast

[Keith Buntrock]

I might get lucky enough to get a two week break from the Midwest winter right after the new year. Palm City would be the destination officially. With that said, can anyone suggest some worthy and reasonably priced public options? This is my first potential trip to the Treasure Coast. I know Florida can be sort of dull in terms of architectural standards but if there are any sleepers you can suggest, I thank you in advance.

[Gene Greco]

Keith:

    At that time of year  you may not have time for 36 each day. So I might suggest a quick afternoon round on a sporty executive 9 hole course on Hutchinson Island called Island Dunes. It was built by the late Joe Lee in 1989 and has some terrific green side bunkering.  The 7th is one of the better par 4s in Florida at 360 yds with a piched fairway and a diagonal  creek about 80 yds short of a diamond shaped green. The 8th is 145yds over a pond to a narrow, diagonally positioned green which tilts left to right, backed by the beach along the river with framing palm trees. Surely a beautiful place to watch the sun go down. The 9th makes you feel like you are, in fact, on Gilligan's Island. Sorry, no Maryann. Cold Yeungling on tap in the bar should accompany the eggplant appetizer as you watch the football game du jour along with the sun settling-down for the night.
 
Oh, and if you start your day there be sure to stop at the public ocean beach in Jensen Beach for the BEST breakfast sandwich in the United States - eggs, cheese and bacon or sausage on a  freshly baked buttered croissant followed by coffee and a cranberry muffin (also freshly baked).

[Gene Greco]

     While you are in the area you might want to stop at The Willoughby Golf Club and shake hands with Errie Ball. He is their 101 year old teaching pro. Oh, and he is the last living person to have played in the initial National Invitational Tournament, subsequently known as The Masters.

[Keith Buntrock]

Thanks Gene for the suggestions, both with golf, food, and where I can meet Mr. Ball.

My friend mentioned Palm Cove, Martin Downs, and Hammock Creek as potential courses to play as well, although I did not find a whole lot about any of them on this site. I should probably just be happy to be outside in January I guess.

[Tim_Cronin]

     While you are in the area you might want to stop at The Willoughby Golf Club and shake hands with Errie Ball. He is their 101 year old teaching pro. Oh, and he is the last living person to have played in the initial National Invitational Tournament, subsequently known as The Masters.

Errie Ball is a prince of a man. Interviewed him in March and he was as sharp as a tack, as was his wife, a young 98! Errie was just inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame.

[Jim Nugent]

Don't what it's like now, but I enjoyed W. Palm Beach CC (it's public) back in 1970. 

[Ted Cahill]

Keith-

I am a fan of the Florida Club in Jupiter. It's a no nonsense, exceed expectations course that is always offering good deals. I am surprised I don't see it mentioned on these boards.

[Mark Saltzman]

In my mind the obvious choice is the PGA Golf Club - http://www.pgavillage.com/.  Three courses, reasonable price, Dye is the best of the bunch.

Hammock Creek is fine.  Lots and lots of water (it's Florida, so I guess that's expected).

Abacoa is OK too.

The PGA National courses are about 30 minutes south in Palm Beach Gardens.

Lots of private courses in the area but at that time of year they are not very open to outside play.

Give Seminole a call, I hear they're not usually that busy  

[Jud_T]

I'd second Mark's rec of PGA Dye in Port St. Lucie.  Hopefully it'll be above the 39 degrees it was when I teed off...

[John_Cullum]

Dye Course at PGA Village (not as good as it was before Dye came in and dumbed it down some)
Eagle Marsh (a/k/a Jensen Beach CC)-pretty challenging with several very good holes)
Indian Hills in Ft Pierce, a great piece of property with some pretty good holes. very inexpensive.
North Palm Beach CC, formerly Raynor, now Nicklaus (and now much improved). A very good course and close enough to Palm City.

It is hard to get fired up over an executive course, but Island Dunes is maybe the best I have seen. It is in great condition (at least it was 3 months ago), but I wouldn't make an effort to put it in my itinerary. Eagle Marsh is probably the sleeper

[Mark Saltzman]

North Palm Beach CC, formerly Raynor, now Nicklaus (and now much improved). A very good course and close enough to Palm City.

Good call John, I forgot this one.  Very good course... better than several of the private courses in the area.

[Keith Buntrock]

I appreciate the advice and suggestions. Especially the suggestion from Mark to give Seminole a call, weird I never considered doing that   before

[John Mayhugh]

I think the three best options are:
PGA Dye
West Palm Beach
North Palm Beach

I think there are photo threads of all three.  WPB is noteworthy as I don't think water is in play on any of the holes. 

Ted,
I don't think the Florida Club gets mentioned much because it's not a particularly good course. I've played it a couple of times and don't think there is anything there to recommend.  Just a difference of opinion.