PGA National Renewal

The General -- from the nickname of its designer Arnold Palmer -- is a links-like layout with nods to Scotland, including rippled fairways, grass bunkers and even a double green (in which two holes share a green, though each has its own flag and cup -- it's a U.K. thing).

Finally, there's the Estate course, purchased by the resort in 1988 and named for no one, near as I can tell, but a challenging test nonetheless.

In sum, there's something for every golfer.

And if you're unhappy with your game before or after you've arrived, there's a Golf Digest Academy on site, named for the magazine that founded this nationwide chain of instructional schools.

Resort Redux

Clearly, golf is covered.

But then, that wasn't the issue so much as the rest of the resort: the 339 guest rooms, 50 two-bedroom cottages, nine restaurants and lounges, a 40,000-square-foot spa, 19 tennis court health and racquet club, pool and, yes, croquet complex. (There's also 34,000 square feet of conference facilities and a helicopter pad for those impressive entrances.)

Obviously, breadth wasn't the issue either -- just age and fatigue.

Upon arrival, however, it was clear that an infusion of cash had brought about a burst of vitality.

The guest rooms have all been completely refurbished, each now with a flat-screen TV, as well as custom carpeting, new furnishings, window treatments, linens and decorations.

The pool deck has a new poolside cafe (serving Starbucks coffee), as well as terraces overlooking the pool and lake.

There is now wireless Internet access at the resort and improvements throughout the spa (which offers massages and treatments using pretty much every fruit and vegetable known to man -- no animals, thankfully -- with minerals covered, too, in "waters of the world": mineral pools with salts imported from "the world's most renowned water sources").

	Waters of the World
	Photo: PGA National Resort

Resort restaurant Shula's Steak House didn't appear to have changed, but then it didn't needed to, long ranked among the country's top providers of Angus beef, as well as a quasi-museum celebrating coach Don Shula's undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins.

The fare is worth the steep prices it commands, although look before you leap if you attempt to conquer the 48-ounce porterhouse steak -- you're gonna need a doggie bag, trust me.

Arezzo, the southern Italian restaurant that's also open for dinner only, is a solid backup, just like Don Strock was to Bob Griese. Among the other on-site eateries, only the Bear Trap Bar & Grille lacked energy among the servers, but in fairness my visit was toward evening's end.

The resort changed hands in August, with Walton Street Capital, LLC, purchasing it from E. Llwyd Ecclestone, the original owner and developer. Walton clearly bought a property on the upswing. It's a worthwhile place to play where the pros do and see how they travel -- and to enjoy the experience.

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