FURYK & FRIENDS Brings PGA TOUR Champions Golf to Palm Coast
In October 2026, some of professional golf’s most accomplished players gathered in Palm Coast for Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS presented by Circle K, hosted at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. It was the tournament's first year in Palm Coast, after it was played at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville from 2021 through 2025.
The tournament brought PGA TOUR Champions competition to one of Florida’s most distinctive coastal settings, showcasing championship golf against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. The competition delivered plenty of excitement, with Vaughn Taylor capturing his first PGA TOUR Champions victory in a dramatic playoff against Alex Cejka. Both players finished regulation at 17-under 199, and Taylor won with a birdie on the second playoff hole.
But FURYK & FRIENDS is about much more than the leaderboard.
Founded around the charitable mission of Jim and Tabitha Furyk, the event brings together professional golf, community involvement, entertainment, and philanthropy. Proceeds benefit Northeast Florida charities through the Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation, helping the tournament make an impact that extends well beyond the fairways.
For Palm Coast and the surrounding communities, the tournament provided an opportunity to welcome golf fans, introduce visitors to the region, and showcase what makes Northeast Florida such a compelling destination.
Learn more about the tournament and its charitable mission through Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS.
Why Northeast Florida Is Becoming a Must-Visit Golf Destination
Florida has long been associated with great golf, but Northeast Florida offers a character all its own.
Here, championship golf meets miles of Atlantic coastline, natural wetlands, towering palms, historic communities, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Unlike destinations where golf is the only attraction, Northeast Florida makes it easy to build an entire getaway around the game.
A morning round can lead to an afternoon exploring the historic streets of St. Augustine, enjoying fresh coastal seafood, unwinding at a spa, or simply relaxing beside the ocean.
The region also offers appealing seasonal variety. Fall and spring are especially attractive for golf travel, while winter provides an escape for players looking to trade northern snow for Florida fairways.
For golfers traveling with spouses, families, or friends who may not play, the combination of beaches, dining, shopping, history, and outdoor recreation makes the destination even more inviting.
And for those who appreciate great course architecture, Palm Coast offers something few Florida Destinations can: signature courses from two of golf’s most legendary names.
Oceanfront Golf in Florida: The Jack Nicklaus Ocean Course
Few experiences in golf compare to standing on a tee box with the Atlantic Ocean stretching toward the horizon.
At Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course delivers exactly that.
Featuring six holes directly along the Atlantic coastline (Nos. 8 and 9 on the front nine and Nos. 15 through 18 on the back), the course combines dramatic ocean views with the strategic challenges expected from a Nicklaus Signature design.
Coastal winds can influence club selection, while thoughtfully positioned bunkers and demanding approaches reward players who balance confidence with course management.
One of the course’s most memorable features is the Bear Claw, a challenging four-hole finishing stretch named for Nicklaus, "The Golden Bear," that tests both precision and composure. It’s the kind of finish that can turn a good round into a great story—or provide plenty of conversation over a post-round cocktail.
The Ocean Course’s role as host of the 2026 FURYK & FRIENDS tournament added another chapter to its championship history, which includes Ginn Championship wins by Keith Fergus (2007) and Bernhard Langer (2008). Visiting golfers can play a course that has challenged some of the game’s best players.
For golfers seeking oceanfront golf in Florida, it offers a distinctive combination of scenery, architecture, and tournament heritage.
A Different Challenge: The Tom Watson Conservatory Course
One of the great pleasures of a golf getaway is playing courses that offer completely different experiences.
Just a short distance from the Atlantic coastline, the Tom Watson-designed Conservatory Course provides a striking contrast to the Ocean Course.
Inspired by links-style golf, the Conservatory features rolling terrain, dramatic bunkering, elevation changes, waterfalls, and distinctive stonework.
Stretching more than 7,700 yards from the championship tees, it ranks among Florida’s longest golf courses, although multiple tee options allow players to choose a length that fits their game.
Where the Ocean Course introduces the unpredictability of coastal breezes, the Conservatory rewards thoughtful shot-making, strategic positioning, and an appreciation for traditional golf architecture.
Together, these two signature courses demonstrate why Palm Coast deserves consideration when planning a Florida golf vacation.
And for golfers who love variety, playing both courses during the same trip provides two distinctly different rounds without having to change destinations.
Planning a Northeast Florida Golf Getaway
A great golf trip is about more than how many birdies you make.
It’s about the people you’re with, the courses you experience, and the moments between rounds that become part of the story.
Northeast Florida offers the ingredients for a memorable golf getaway. Buddies trips, couples' getaways and corporate retreats all work well here.
A well-planned golf vacation itinerary might include:
- A championship round on the oceanfront Ocean Course.
- A second round on the links-inspired Conservatory Course.
- Time to explore nearby Palm Coast or historic St. Augustine.
- Coastal dining and a few well-earned post-round refreshments.
- Multi-bedroom accommodations where the group can stay together.
- A relaxing spa treatment or beach afternoon for anyone sitting out a round.
For golfers who want the details handled before they arrive, Florida golf vacation packages at Hammock Beach bundle resort accommodations with access to the Ocean and Conservatory courses.
After all, the best golf trips should leave you worrying about your next putt—not your next reservation.
Group Golf Trips in Palm Coast
Ask almost any golfer about their favorite round, and chances are the story includes the people they played with.
That’s what makes group golf travel so special.
Whether it’s a reunion of longtime friends, an annual golf outing, a corporate incentive trip, or a celebration of a milestone birthday, Northeast Florida offers an appealing setting for bringing people together.
Palm Coast is particularly well suited to groups seeking championship golf paired with resort accommodations and activities beyond the course.
At Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, groups of 12 or more golfers can work with a dedicated golf concierge to help coordinate tee times, pairings, scoring, and special activities.
With two signature golf courses, multi-bedroom accommodations, dining experiences, and opportunities for private events, groups can build a getaway around their own interests and traditions.
Explore group golf getaways in Florida for ideas on planning a trip that brings everyone together.
Because while the final score may be forgotten, the stories from a great golf trip have a way of lasting for years.
Beyond the Fairways: Palm Coast and St. Augustine
Part of what makes Northeast Florida such an enjoyable golf destination is everything waiting beyond the golf course. Palm Coast offers a quieter side of Florida, with Atlantic beaches, scenic waterways, nature trails, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Up the coast, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental U.S. Its historic streets, Spanish colonial architecture, waterfront restaurants and galleries make it an easy half-day trip from your golf base.
For travelers interested in outdoor recreation, the surrounding region offers opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and exploring Florida’s natural coastal environment.
It’s this balance of championship golf and destination experiences that makes the area especially attractive for couples, families, and groups traveling with both golfers and non-golfers.
