A Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner Design That Strays Away From "Florida golf"

Alex Elias

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Formerly a 1989 Arthur Hills–designed course, The Match at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club (Old Trail), redesigned by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, strays away from the typical South Florida-style golf course.

“It really is different because the course doesn’t have any houses in between the holes, which you would normally find on a South Florida course,” said Jared Werner, Head Golf Professional at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club.
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As the property benefits from the fairways not being lined with houses and much of the water situated along the perimeter, Hanse and Wagner were able to utilize their distinctive bunkering as a defense on adjacent holes.

Steve North

“Hanse’s design ties the holes together tremendously,” said Ben Spector, Assistant Golf Professional at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club. “For example, the Par-5 1st and Par-4 18th (pictured above) share deep, severe bunkers.”

As a complement to the open playing corridors, Hanse and Wagner designed a varied set of greens, including the punchbowl third, the long, narrow fourth, and the “Dustpan” seventh.
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“The greens are the defense of the golf course,” said Werner. “Hanse and Wagner give golfers options, requiring players to commit to their shot selection. On certain hole locations, golfers must sometimes play away from the flag and let the contours of the green bring the ball closer to the hole.”

Designed with match play, not stroke play, in mind, Werner said, “The design forces players to decide how aggressive they want to be and opens up the possibility for every club in the bag to be used.”

The Par-5 2nd and Par-4 13th, in particular, require strategic decision-making.

Referencing the Par-5 2nd as “the prettiest hole on the course,” Werner explained, “With a large water hazard along its right side, the tee shot invites players to take on as much risk in order to shorten the hole and gain a better angle to a narrow green that slopes from back to front, featuring a false front.”

Later in the round, the Par-4 13th is reminiscent of both the Par-3.5 14th at Ohoopee Match Club, where Hanse drew inspiration for the culture of the Match Course, and the Par-4 16th at nearby The Park West Palm. At 298 yards, this drivable Par-4 features a slightly elevated, severely contoured green, protected by a greenside bunker, five bunkers positioned sixty yards short, and a steep run-off behind the green.

“When you’re standing on the tee, you think it’s an easy hole, but if you carry it even slightly long, a short chip can quickly go off the green. I’ve made an eagle, birdie a handful of times, and probably bogey more than I’ve made par,” said Spector.

In transforming a relatively flat and monotonous property, Hanse and Wagner delivered a unique, challenging, and enjoyable course that has cemented The Match at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club as one of the top courses in the Palm Beach/Jupiter area.