Situated on 250 acres in the heart of West Palm Beach, Florida, the redesign of Banyan Cay Resort and Golf began Tuesday, November 29, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by golf icon and globally acclaimed course designer Jack Nicklaus and other notable guests. Noble House Hotels & Resorts—an owner and operator of luxury hotels and resorts from Seattle to the Florida Keys—will take over the management of Banyan Cay. The popular and prestigious golf resort is the latest addition to Noble House’s recent expansion of its roster of premier properties throughout the United States.
Noble House Hotels & Resorts has long-standing ties to South Florida, including ownership and management of La Playa Beach & Golf Resort; Little Palm Island Resort & Spa; Ocean Key Resort & Spa; and Pelican Grand Beach Resort. In addition to the new Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, state-of-the-art practice facility, and new clubhouse, Noble House’s plans for Banyan Cay will include the addition of a 150-room luxury hotel, residences, membership levels and a great lawn.
“Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Club has been a favorite West Palm Beach destination for more than 40 years and Noble House is extremely pleased to take over its management,” said Pat Colee, Noble House founder and chairman of the board. “We’re confident that the transformation we envision featuring the new course by golf’s greatest champion, Jack Nicklaus, will not only reignite excitement among longtime loyalists, but will prove instrumental in attracting new visitors to this prestigious property.”
Banyan Cay Resort & Golf, the former Presidents Country Club which opened in 1969 in the heart of West Palm Beach, will now be home to a world-class Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course—one unlike most South Florida layouts, which get their personalities from the typically flat terrain. The Banyan Cay course will showcase a personality and character highlighted by subtle changes of elevation—with as much as 25 feet in changes within the golf course, or more than double most courses in South Florida. Additionally, the course will feature gently rolling fairways, land forms, various water features, and bunkers that provide both aesthetics and strategy.
“I have known this site for many years, and now, to have the opportunity to help shape Banyan Cay’s future and hopefully the next generation of golf in Central Palm Beach County, is an honor,” said Jack Nicklaus. “I applaud the city for its ongoing efforts to revitalize West Palm Beach. It’s possible this could be the last significant golf development—one with resort access—to break ground in the West Palm Beach area. We are excited to officially get this project underway.”
The course layout will provide members and guests with a challenging, yet playable golf experience. The new par-72 design currently features five sets of tees to accommodate players of all skill levels, and the course yardage is expected to range from 4,800 yards to a championship length, tipping out at 7,200 yards. The practice facility, as well as the course’s opening hole, will be located in front of the new full-service Banyan Cay clubhouse. Inspired by West Indies décor, the clubhouse will feature member facilities, a grille, a golf shop, and social areas for member activities.
Emphasizing “location, distinction and soul,” Noble House Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to creating and managing exceptional properties that contribute to their communities and faithfully reflect local history, culture and ambiance.
For more information, call Noble House Hotels & Resorts at 877.NOBLE.TRIP or visit www.NobleHouseHotels.com.
About Noble House Hotels & Resorts
A privately held company for more than 30 years, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. was founded in 1979 by owner Patrick R. Colee as a commercial property development group, transitioning in 1994 to a hotel ownership management company. Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., the corporation owns and manages an upscale portfolio of 18 distinct and visually captivating properties spanning the U.S. From luxury resorts in Seattle, Wash., to Jackson Hole, Wyo., and the Florida Keys, each property maximizes and showcases its physical setting. Noble House is continuously growing, operating 45 hotel restaurants, bars and lounges, showcasing local culture and inspiration from local surroundings. With a philosophy that emphasizes “location, distinction and soul,” Noble House Hotels & Resorts exemplifies individuality, dedicating itself to creating and managing exceptional properties that contribute to their communities, staying true to local history, culture and ambiance.
George Elmore, Hardrives, Inc. owner; Jack Nicklaus; Scott Colee, Chief Creative Officer, Noble House Hotels and Resorts; Jeri Muoio, West Palm Beach Mayor; and Domenic Gatto, owner of Banyan Cay, celebrate the official groundbreaking at Banyan Cay Golf & Resort. Symbolic of the club's rebirth, the group planted a banyan tree sapling.
