Tom Watson and Conservatory property owners finally get what they want – a PGA tour event at The Conservatory.
October 18, 2007 – Palm Coast, FL – I played the Tom Watson designed golf course at The Conservatory today as part of a group of Ginn Volunteers. We had all assisted at the PGA Champions Tour event at the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach this spring. While the head pro was making his introductory comments, he mentioned that The Conservatory would host next year’s Ginn sur Mer Classic.
The Ginn sur Mer Classic evolved when the Running Horse Championship in Fresno, California was cancelled. The developer had run out of money and the course would not be ready in time. Bobby Ginn picked up the contract for the event for the next five years. The agreement allows the event to be rotated among Ginn developments each year. This year, Ginn sur Mer will be played Oct 25 – 28 at Tesoro, a Ginn development in Port St. Lucie. The Ginn sur Mer Classic is named for Ginn’s most ambitious project, a sectacular golfing, yachting, and casino resort on Grand Bahama island.
This is great news for Conservatory property owners, who were disappointed (some angry) that the Ginn Classic, a PGA Champions Tour event was moved from The Conservatory to Ginn’s newly acquired Ocean Course at Hammock Beach. It’s also good news for Palm Coast and Flagler County. The Ocean Course at Hammock Beach will repeat as the Ginn Championship venue, giving the area two significant golfing events in one year.
I found The Conservatory course challenging and in excellent condition. The $15 million clubhouse is nearing completion. A January opening is anticipated.
2008 Ginn Sur Mer Classic PGA Event
Could not have said it better. Your web site is a pleasure to read.
Yeah, but…
Not a lot of tickets were \”sold\” to the Champions Tour event. It’s nice to have a PGA event in town, but I’m not sure that will get much of a crowd. There aren’t many household names playing in these events…a bunch of grinders trying to hold on to their cards. Of course, I’m not sure these courses are up to snuff with the top tier PGA pros anyway. They’re nice resort courses though.