PGA National Resort & Spa, host of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic played Feb. 23–26, has unveiled a dramatic new statue honoring its famous Jack Nicklaus-designed “Bear Trap” on its acclaimed Champion Course.
A replica of the iconic snarling Bear statue that welcomes (and warns) players on the mighty Champion layout that they are now entering one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in the game (holes No. 15 through 17), noted Wyoming sculptor Ben Foster created the new seven-foot, 700-pound ursine design from the same mold as the original.
The new statue, called “The Glare of the Bear,” stands sentinel at the front of the resort. Revealed just in time for the multitudes descending on the resort to enjoy the Honda Classic, all spectators and resort guests are welcome to snap group photos and selfies with the roaring grizzly fashioned out of silicone bronze.
“I looked through many, many wildlife photos to make sure to capture the aggression of a big mature grizzly in its natural habitat,” says Foster. “It was really something else sculpting this.”
“Taking a picture at The Bear Trap is one of the most popular activities at our resort, but the original is usually accessible only for our members and guests playing the Champion Course,” says Greg Saunders, Vice President, Managing Director. “This magnificent new bear statue residing at our front entrance gives everyone the opportunity to capture this iconic memory offered here at PGA National.”
The Champion Course is regarded as one of the top layouts in the U.S. The Bear Trap is hailed by USA Today as “one of the toughest stretches in golf,” and is known to strike fear into the hearts of golfers, professional and amateur alike. In last year’s Honda Classic, tournament winner Adam Scott took a 37-hole, bogey-free streak into the Bear Trap before making a quadruple seven on the par-3 15th. Needing to avoid a similar late-round meltdown on Sunday, Scott stayed dry on Nos. 15 and 17 on his way to a one-shot victory over Sergio Garcia.
For more on PGA National Resort & Spa: pgaresort.com, 561-627-2000.
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