PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, opens its Andy Staples-designed Match course today.

Built on the site of the former Squire course, the 18-hole Match layout, which plays to 5,744 yards, was designed for match play scenarios such as best ball, foursomes and skins as well as other non-stroke play formats.

The layout won’t have specific tee-markers, allowing players to determine where to start the next hole on the ‘contiguous’ tees that are available.

Turfgrass will be cut to fairway height, placing an emphasis on the ground game. Approaches and chipping areas have been designed to present multiple shot options around the greens, while penalty areas are minimal with fewer than 20 natural rough-hewn, irregular-edged bunkers.

“Our concept for the Match course was to design 18 holes where maximising playability for all skill levels, fostering a faster pace of play, as well as creating a unique golf experience where having nothing but fun and more fun, was paramount,” said Staples. “The new layout is also an exciting reflection of how most non-professionals enjoy the game at their respective home courses where winning the predetermined ‘match’ is the main goal without the stress of having to post a score.”

The Match course joins the new nine-hole Staples-designed Staple course, which opened for play on July 1. Both are part of an ongoing $100 million capital revitalisation of the resort.

“Both our new Match and Staple courses will be extremely attractive to ‘golf buddy’ groups visiting us at PGA National,” said director of golf Jane Broderick. “They can play where the pros play annually during the Honda Classic on the Champion course in the morning, testing their mettle on The Bear Trap, and then tee it up on our two brilliant Andy Staples-designed layouts in the afternoon and have an absolute blast.”