There's nothing easy about the new and improved Floridian Yacht & Golf Club in Palm City
PALM CITY, Fla. -- The new Floridian Yacht & Golf Club barely resembles the old.
When businessman Jim Crane, who also owns the Houston Astros, bought the club from former Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, he decided to redo just about everything -- the clubhouse, the practice areas and, especially, the golf course.
Gary Player designed the original course. It wasn't bad, but Crane wanted something more challenging, so he hired Tom Fazio to redo the course. It has new routing, new greens, new everything -- and there's nothing easy about it.
At 7,114 yards, this par 71 is tight, beautiful and in perfect condition.
The old golf course shut down in spring 2011, and crews worked on both nines at the same time, opening six months later. By the time these photos were taken, it was in near perfect condition, with champion Bermuda greens that routinely run 12 or above on the Stimpmeter.
As Fazio often does, there are bunkers everywhere. Some as true hazards, and others help frame the holes. He also took advantage of the water and the scenery, with several holes on the St. Lucie River and Florida's Intracoastal Waterway.
Floridian Yacht & Golf Club is open to members only and their guests.
![The tough 493-yard 18th hole at the new Floridian Yacht & Golf Club ends up at the marina on the St. Lucie River.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46160.jpg)
![Floridian Yacht & Golf Club begins with a 441-yard par 4.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46161.jpg)
![The par-3 fourth at Floridian Yacht & Golf Club has water, ornamental grass, sand and plenty of difficulty.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46162.jpg)
![The sixth hole at Floridian Yacht & Golf Club is a drivable par 4 at 301 yards.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46163.jpg)
![The shortest hole at Floridian Yacht & Golf Club is the 153-yard eighth.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46164.jpg)
![At 497 yards, the par-4 ninth at Floridian Yacht & Golf Club is one tough golf hole.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46165.jpg)
![The par-4 11th at Floridian Yacht & Golf Club is a dogleg left.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46166.jpg)
![The 529-yard par-5 13th at Floridian Yacht & Golf Club presents a good scoring opportunity.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46167.jpg)
![The 216-yard par-3 16th is one of many forced carries at Floridian Yacht & Golf Club in Palm City.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46168.jpg)
![Long hitters can come close to driving the green on Floridian Yacht & Golf Club's 385-yard 17th, or at least finding a bunker close to the green.](/photo-galleries/images/small/46169.jpg)
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