Ibis Golf & Country Club, Legend Golf Course

Guest (cart included), played on Wednesday, March 2022 at 12:00 PM

When Annika Sorenstam shows up for the grand opening of your driving range, you know your golf operations are on the right track. This is how it was last October at The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach, FL when this mandatory membership golf community of 54 Nicklaus-designed holes introduced the latest and greatest in TopTracer driving range technology. In doing so, Ibis became the first private club in the state of Florida to install TopTracer technology on its range; technology that has become a staple on the PGA Tour is available to golfers of all abilities at Ibis.

The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach Florida is doing all it can to take this golf community to a whole new level. Behind the security gates of this mandatory-membership community are three Nicklaus golf courses. The Legend Course was designed by the Golden Bear himself, while the Heritage Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus II and the Tradition Course was designed by son Steve.

The Legend Course opened for play in 1991 and underwent a major renovation in 2017; it has been described by Jack himself as a “masterpiece.” Golfweek Magazine has named the Legend Course one of the country’s “Most Distinctive Courses.” The course winds its way through the community and provides many scenic views of what a golf community is meant to be. As Jack Nicklaus courses go, it is somewhat player friendly and at the same time offers a stern test of golf. When the Legend Course was renovated back in 2017, plans were made to upgrade the practice area next. Good things come to those who wait!

When Jack Nicklaus II designed the Heritage Course, he was probably thinking “fun and friendly,” and built the course to give you a fair test of your golf skills, no matter what caliber of player you are. When it opened in the fall of 1991, Golf Digest named the Heritage Course one of the “Top 20 New Private Courses in America.” It’s also a favorite among the ladies and has been named the “Most Women-Friendly Course in America” by Golf for Women Magazine. It’s the go-to course in the community and the course of choice for many Club tournaments.

The Tradition Course was designed by son Steve and was completed in 2001. The design team took ideas and concepts from many of golf’s original layouts when designing the Tradition Course; as a result, you’ll find smaller greens and wide-open fairways. And, in true UK golf course style, the outward - (AKA front) - nine doesn’t take you back to the clubhouse! The Tradition Course has a lot of Florida vegetation too, so you’ll have to execute your tee shots and approaches into some very undulated greens if you want to score well.

The original practice area was very flat and drained poorly. In creating this new facility, Ibis brought in over 20,000 cubic yards of material to raise the range and create five new target green complexes, which were surfaced with artificial turf. An X-shaped fairway pattern - defined by a small ledge - was created between the target greens to allow players to practice a variety of shots.

The new range is almost 15 acres in area. The practice tee area now exceeds 125,000 square feet. The renovation of the practice area also included a new 10,000 square-foot putting green and five new short game greens spread between two different practice locations. The range is symmetrical from both ends which allow golfers to spread out and enjoy the same experience from either end. The north end is used more for short warm-ups before a round, while the south is focused more on longer practice sessions and features the all-new TopTracer technology across the entire length of the tee.

TopTracer technology allows players to track their shots along with all major swing data including swing speed, ball speed, and curvature. Members can also compete against each other in various fun competitions sync the results with their smartphones.

This state-of-the-art facility includes synthetic turf target greens, more than a dozen targets, and two new USGA-spec chipping greens. Every shot will react the same way it does on the golf course, which allows members to hit any type of shot they think they will encounter while out there.

“If we can use technology to make golfers better, become more interactive, and have more fun, it will take golf to a whole new level,” Sorenstam said. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s massive with lots of different targets and tees. Getting instant feedback is so important to improving your game.”

One cost-savings measure that the new facility implemented was the use of Echo robots to harvest range balls and mow the turf at the same time. This has not only reduced labor costs but kept the range looking its absolute best.

The Club at Ibis is a mandatory membership community which means new residents must purchase at minimum a social membership, but when you move into a community with three Nicklaus-designed courses why would you consider anything less than a golf membership?

For more information on Ibis’ new TopTracer range or any of their golf courses, or to check out homes that are available, visit their website

Guest (cart included), played on Wednesday, September 2018 at 10:00 AM

To say The Club at Ibis is a residential golf community is a gross understatement; it’s a community that relishes in a lifestyle that has it all. Behind the secure gates of this West Palm Beach community are 33 neighborhoods with over 1850 homes. Ibis is a mandatory membership community which boasts some of the finest conditioned golf courses, and recreational facilities in South Florida. Members must purchase at minimum a social Membership level, but when a golf Membership grants you access to three championship Nicklaus family-designed courses by Jack himself as well as sons Jack Jr. and Steve, why would you consider anything less?

Over the years, The Club at Ibis has received numerous awards, including most recently BoardRoom Magazine’s Distinguished Emerald Club award and the Platinum Club of America award, as determined by Club Leaders Forum, the preeminent consulting source in the private club industry. The latter recognizes the top five percent of private clubs in the nation, as elected by club managers, presidents, and owners.

The Club at Ibis has also been recognized as one of America's Healthiest Clubs by Prevo Health Solutions, and in 2017 Ibis received the highest numeric score the company has ever awarded. One of the keys to winning this prestigious award is The Club’s BodyMind Connection programming. BodyMind Connection (BMC) is an integrated program aimed at enhancing and promoting the health and lifestyle of Ibis Members.

The centerpiece of the community are the three Nicklaus golf courses, which all play out of the same Clubhouse and seem to draw people together. As a Member, there is no need to get in your car and drive off property to play golf. Just hop in your own private golf cart, drive to the Clubhouse and play. It’s that simple…and convenient. The Legend Course was designed by the Golden Bear himself, while the Heritage Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus II and the Tradition Course was designed by son Steve.

The Legend Course opened for play in 1991 and underwent a major renovation in 2017; it has been described by Jack himself as a “masterpiece.” Golfweek Magazine has named the Legend Course one of the country’s “Most Distinctive Courses.” The signature hole is the par 3 13th; an elevated island green with a beautiful stone bulkhead. Number 13 plays anywhere from 81 – 167 yards and will definitely test your distance control and accuracy. The course winds its way through the community and provides many scenic views of what a golf community is meant to be. As Nicklaus courses go it’s relatively tame, no crazy roller coaster rides on greens or extra long forced carries over water like some of his resort courses I’ve played. What you get is a course that is somewhat player friendly and at the same time offers a stern test of golf.

If you’re new to the game or are looking to improve, the professional staff at the Ibis Golf Academy can help put your game on the right path. They are led by Director of Golf Instruction Martin Hall, who has been named one of only four “Master Instructors” in America by Golf Magazine. Hall is also the host of his very own weekly show on the Golf Channel, aptly named "School of Golf." Hall and his staff are dedicated to helping Members realize their potential and get the most out of their game.

The Club’s fitness center is stocked with a large selection of cardio equipment, strength building machines, and fitness classes; everything a Member needs to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Personal trainers are on site and can help you achieve your fitness goals, any time of the day. After your workout enjoy a refreshing swim or relax in the sauna or hot tub, followed by a soothing massage or rejuvenating facial at the spa. The Ibis Spa offers Members and their guests the ultimate relaxation experience. Their therapists are experts in the art of pampering and healing, whether it’s a soothing aromatherapy massage or an exfoliating sugar scrub or facial, you’ll find just what you need to balance your body and mind.

When it comes to dining, The Club at Ibis offers Members and their guests a number of options, from casual to elegant. The Bistro offers comfortable seating inside and out and poolside dining is a Member favorite. The Bistro features an open kitchen design and is a popular choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

If you like to watch fellow Members play golf, The Atrium offers panoramic views of The Legend Course. It’s the main dining venue in the Clubhouse and during lunch, Members and their guests can enjoy an elaborate buffet, complete with culinary and carving stations.

The Pub has proven to be the go-to gathering place for Members and is the ultimate sports bar. The Pub features a full-length bar, multiple TVs, and table seating either inside or on their, 2,500-square-foot terrace. Should you choose to dine outside, The Pub Terrace overlooks the 10th and 18th holes of The Legend Course.

If you’re looking to take your significant other somewhere special, Panache offers Members and their guests a fine dining experience similar to acclaimed restaurants in South Florida. At Panache, you can sample a culinary a la carte cuisine in an exquisite setting all without leaving the community. As an added bonus, Panache offers diners a rare opportunity to dine inside the kitchen with a tableside dinner show and wine tastings for your group as Executive Chef Jerome and his team Members create a memorable dining experience.

The Club at Ibis is also a great place to host your next family gathering or event. Whether it’s a wedding or business event, big or small, The Club at Ibis can handle it and the views of the stunning Nicklaus-designed golf courses will serve as the perfect backdrop. From baby showers to weddings to family reunions, The Club at Ibis has the perfect space for your event with accommodations for groups of 10 - 480. The attentive catering department will provide you with professional event coordination and ensure that every detail is taken care of.

Membership

As I mentioned earlier, the Club at Ibis is a mandatory Membership community meaning new residents must join the club at one level or another. The club offers new residents four Membership categories to choose from; all built to suit their individual lifestyle needs. All Memberships include unlimited access to the fitness facilities, four unique dining venues, the spa, pool complex, pickleball, and a full calendar of social events. The club’s most popular Membership is their Premier Golf Membership and offers unlimited access to 54 holes of Nicklaus golf, the 20-acre practice facility, and 16 Har-Tru tennis courts. Other options include the Signature Golf, Tennis, and Social Sports Memberships. With this much to choose from, there is something for everyone.

This private West Palm Beach Country Club is conveniently located within the high-energy lifestyle communities of the Palm Beaches, just seven miles west of I-95 on Northlake Boulevard. For more information on The Club at Ibis, visit their website at clubatibis.com or call the Membership Director, Karla Bass at 561.625.8500, ext. 5142.