Apogee Club (West)

Over 1200 acres on the eastern panhandle of Florida is being developed for three, 18-hole golf courses. The first, Apogee Club West Course opened in autumn 2023. Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner were on site to shape the greens and bunkers.

The nines return to the clubhouse with the 1st tee, 9th green, 10th tee and 18th green in the same vicinity. The 7th tee is also in the immediate area allowing for a compelling three-hole loop from the clubhouse. The front nine is routed on the north side of the site with the back nine to the south.

The back nine has water, a common feature on Florida's golf courses due to an extremely high water table, coming to play on the 10th and 11th.

Apogee Club Pedigree

The development is backed by Michael Pascuci, the man behind both Sebonack Golf Club in New York and The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida. His partner on the project is Stephen Ross, a real estate tycoon who also owns the Miami Dolphins - and American Football franchise.

Of note, Rory McIlroy and Ernie Els were also involved to some degree in the process. The website states they 'informed' the club. It appears the mantle of lending one's name to a project has now been passed on to the next generation of tour-calibre golfers.

Lastly, Mike Davis (former USGA CEO) is onsite managing the construction process. Being responsible for all of the course setup including the recent US Open's, there is no doubt considerable experience, expertise, and opinions on what shall be done...

Three golf courses will be accented with two driving ranges and a practice facility built by Fazio II and Davis. There is also There will be a Par 3 short course as well in time. TifTurf Bermuda is the grass of choice throughout. Whilst there isn't any real estate on offer, there will be accommodations in the way of villas for the members and guests.

It's a massive and ambitious project with the reported initial investment coming from 60 Founding Members at a price tag of $1.5M. The current construction boom and seemingly endless money pouring into the Florida golf scene is staggering.

Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner at Apogee Club West Course

The early reports are that Hanse and Wagner were given free reign to shape as they saw fit. Despite the brain trust behind the resort and club as a whole, it would appear there weren't too many chefs in the kitchen.

The short, driveable par 4's found on the 5th and 14th are standouts. Derek Duncan, reporting for Golf Digest, quoted Jim Wagner as saying: “This is a green Gil has always wanted to build. Apparently up to this point, nobody’s been crazy enough to let him do it.” The green is a triple punchbowl of sorts.

Hanse and Wagner were able to build a more traditional layout and the plan is to have the next two follow that will contrast but complement with the first.