ConventionSouth On The Course:
Edgewater Beach Resort’s Partnership With Championship Course Makes The Perfect Team
By Peyton Posey “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.” For golfers at Hombre Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Fla., this title not only applies to a Clint Eastwood movie but also describes the 27-hole championship course that is partnered with
Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort. Although threatening in name only, the holes do not get harder depending on which nine you play, said Golf Sales Team Member Robbie Willis. Each hole features four sets of tees that allow the golfer to choose the level of difficulty that fits their game, so groups of any size and experience find this appealing, he said.
“Over the years our relationship with Edgewater has grown and evolved. We offer discounts for groups, owners and visitors. And it is just a natural tie-in for groups utilizing the convention space at the resort to book group activities at the course,” he said.
For those looking to hit the links, the golf course can personalize the outings depending on size and skill level for up to 144 players, Willis said. The staff at Hombre can customize an event, beginning with on-course contest set-up, customized rule sheets, scorecards and cart signage, plus assign staff members for assistance during the entire event.
“We can arrange tournaments or scrambles depending on whatever the group or corporation may want. We’re flexible; whatever people want we pride ourselves on being able to adapt to fill that need,” he said. For attendees who may be less inclined when it comes to the sport, Willis said the staff could also arrange a corporate or an individual lesson with Director of Instruction Adam Brack.
Opened in 1989 with 18 holes, the course was designed by Wes Burnham, who Willis said can usually be seen daily at the on-site Siesta Bar and Grill, located in the clubhouse along with the pro shop. Featuring water on 21 of the 27 holes, the course is described as both “meticulously manicured” and is both “scenic and challenging” with wetlands, marshes, lakes, preserves, palms, pines and azaleas on the grounds. The Bad and The Ugly were recently rebuilt from tee to green, and although the two-year renovation project didn’t substantially change the layout, it updated the overall visual appearance with larger teeing areas, Willis said.
After taking on the challenge of the course, Willis said many golfers choose to relax in the Siesta Bar and Grill for some food and beverages. Serving breakfast and lunch daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m, plus offering a full-service bar, the on-site eatery provides air-conditioning, ample seating with a view of the course and mounted televisions broadcasting the latest in sporting news.
As visually appealing as Edgewater’s Hombre golf course is its accommodations. The complex includes five beachfront towers, plus the golf and tennis villas, which are situated among the resort’s executive par-three, nine-hole golf course. Planners can choose from 525 guest suites ranging from 863 square feet to 1,847 square feet, complete with a living area, a fully equipped kitchen and private balconies.
“We really have built a unique community here,” said Marketing Manager Tony Santilli. “The complex is so vast, we can accommodate large or small groups year-round since we have year-round activities. The best kept secret around here is that you can enjoy the beach, the pool or golfing well into the fall months.”
Activities besides golf include water sports, such as jet skiing or parasailing, both of which can be arranged on site by Edgewater staff. Or visitors can use any of the resort’s 12 pools and seven hot tubs or rent a chair and umbrella and relax beachside.
And while enjoying any one of these activities, Santilli said visitors do not need to travel off the resort for food, drinks, snacks, or most importantly on some people’s list—caffeine. On the complex is Edgies Market, where guests can pick up toiletries, grocery items, souvenirs, clothing, and beach gear or just stop in for a daily dose of Starbucks Coffee. With Ocean’s Bar and Grill located off the pool deck, guests can enjoy fine dining and signature cuisine in the evening, or sandwiches, snacks and an array of beverages during the day. Another option for cold refreshments and tropical drinks is the poolside Bimini Sandbar with indoor or outdoor seating. The resort also houses a Pizza Hut, and guests can choose from delivery or carry-out options.
When it comes to meeting space, the 32,700-square-foot, on-site conference center can provide dozens of set-ups for 10 to 2,000 attendees, whether it is in the 13,365-square-foot Grand Ballroom, in one of 25 meeting rooms or on the 14,500-square-foot beachfront Lagoon Pool deck. The redesigned 500-square-foot boardroom features state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, complete with a plasma television monitor, high-speed Internet and a built-in bar.
“One of our unique aspects is the ability for an 18-wheeler to directly unload equipment into the conference center. We have a loading dock on the far end of the Grand Ballroom, so the truck can back up right to our venue,” Santilli said. “We are the only place in the area that has this capability. It has come into play for concerts, sporting events, or groups that may bring in all their own equipment.”
The staff can also arrange teambuilding activities, icebreakers, pre-function sessions, theme planning, catering and more, Santilli said. “We once set up a complete board room with a tent and tables right on the beach,” he said.
Santilli said the staff prides itself on the amenities and aspects that no other venue on Florida’s northwest gulf coast can offer and that the venue is touted as the only full-service destination resort in Panama City Beach. “This place was very unique when it was constructed and planned out about 20 years ago. These days a resort this large would be completely built up with condo towers. We’re glad the original plan has been honored and that we have such manicured spaces, complete with the largest meeting space in the area, various golfing options, on-site restaurants, plus the vast pool deck and beachfront,” he said. “When you stay at Edgewater, the possibilities are really endless.”
