Since its inaugural edition in 1983, Game Skins went through a laundry list of modifications. Different players. Various sponsors. Various broadcast networks. The seats have also moved. Born in Arizona before moving to the California desert, the event, which was last held in 2008, has now moved again. For the Friday morning contest (yes, Friday morning! 9:00 AM EST) featuring Xander SchauffeleTommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley and Shane Lowry, the backdrop will be Panther National, a new club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Chances are you are familiar with the players. Here’s what you need to know about the club.
It’s a beginner
A relatively new kid on the block, Panther National opened in 2023 as part of a larger residential development that is still offering amenities. The club bills itself as Palm Beach County’s first golf development in nearly 20 years.
It is a collaboration with big names
The course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design created in collaboration with two-time major champion Justin Thomas. Thomas’ favorite hole is the par-3 8th, which he likes for its compelling green complex.
It is a flexible design
From bite-sized to beastly, the layout can be accordions from 4,500 yards to 8,000 yards, with water in play on many holes and significantly more elevation change than you’ll find on most South Florida courses.
She has cheated practice grounds
Practice doesn’t make you perfect, but it does make you better. And here there are many opportunities for it. The club’s sprawling layout includes short game areas, a sprawling fairway, greens set at average PGA Tour distances, and a range with a 27-yard fairway running through it. There’s also a workout reserved for Thomas when he’s around.
Your wedge game will work
Short courses are common at major developments these days, and Panther National is no exception. To complement its championship course, the club has a par-3 layout, PANTHER9, which features an island green inspired by the 17th at TPC Sawgrass.
It has a high price and strong members
The initiation fee is $500,000 for non-residents and $400,000 for residents. Homes in the club are listed from $3.5 million to $20 million. Members include a mix of professional athletes, with representation from teams like the Phillies, Jets and Avalanche – plus some NHL Hall of Famers you may have heard of: Joe Sakic and Claude Lemieux. The club has also assembled a roster of heavyweight ambassadors, highlighted by Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, Viktor Hovland, Nick Dunlap, Sahith Theegala, Lexi Thompson, Camilo Villegas and Morgan Hoffmann.
