Dutchman’s Pipe Club
West Palm Beach, FL, USA
Architect: Jack Nicklaus Design
Course rating: BIRDIE
Golf properties of all types evolve.
In certain instances, the improvements can clearly make a difference and draw even more appeal. On the flip side there are instances when poorly planned decisions can result in a facility falling even more behind. The key is whether or not the evolution can find a pathway for real promise.
The southeast Florida golf market is one going through seismic movements. The competition in the golf lane has massively exploded since the end of the global pandemic. Golf has always been on the agenda in the region but the recent uptick goes beyond anything seen in a number of years.
West Palm Beach is one of the target areas and for good reason. The community has plenty of non-golf bandwidth. The close proximity to essential transportation links with the Palm Beach International Airport and the I-95 corridor has kept interest very high.
The golf story too is clearly making key strides.
The public side of the golf aisle has been aided by the resurrection of the former West Palm Beach CC. The municipally-owned course was rebranded as The Park. The Gil Hanse design opened April 17, 2023 and the resulting positive surge has been well-received.
The private side has seen a similar success story.
Dutchman’s Pipe is a fascinating case since reopening under a new name in November 2024. The 205-acre former Banyan Cay property was originally the site of the President County Club, which fell into financial trouble and was sold by an investor group for $11 million in 2011.
That investor group then flipped the property to Banyan Cay Dev LLC, led by Domenic Gatto Jr., for $26 million in 2015.
Gatto opened the Jack Nicklaus Design golf course in 2017, but work on the resort hotel stopped, started and then stopped again. In 2022, lender Calmwater Capital sued to foreclose on the property and sought repayment of $85 million in loans. The parent company behind the construction of Banyan Cay Resort & Club then filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, where it tried to sell the property to another owner. The deal fell apart at the last minute, however, and the lender took control.
The Witkoff Group and Access Industries acquired the property in January for an undisclosed amount, scoring a $75 million loan from Calmwater Capital. My visit to the property took place in late January 2025 and the finished effort clearly has put in place a foundation for a more lasting momentum than in all the previous years combined.
The routing of the original Nicklaus course (Banyan) remains the same. The nines are split by Presidential Way. As is common throughout this area of the Sunshine State the property is nearly flat with little real topography changes. Fortunately, the saving grace comes from the quality routing.
Water is often used to excess in many Florida courses but at Dutchman’s Pipe it is used in limited circumstances and where encountered smartly integrated.
63 total bunkers are situated throughout the layout and positioned in key spots throughout the round.
Among the stellar holes on the outward nine is the challenging par-3 2nd. The hole measures 223 yards and is well-defended by a penalty area that seeks to gobble up all but the most well-executed of approaches.
Two strong par-4 holes follow – the 4th a quality dog-leg-right hole that requires the marriage of sufficient distance and accuracy. The 5th that follows is an even more challenging par-3 but the lone downside is that it mirrors much of what was encountered at the 2nd.
Dutchman’s Pipe closes out the front nine in fine fashion. The 6th counterbalances the emphasis on long holes with an engaging par-4 that plays 381 yards. The tee shot must skirt a penalty area on the left side for both the fairway and green. Back-to-back part-5 holes follow and the routing has them play in different directions. The closing hole is a 415-yard par-4 that ends the nine in a matter-of-fact manner.
The inward half requires players to cross Presidential Way. The holes are good but not at the same level of intensity as encountered during the opening nine.
One of the more interesting inclusions was removed from the short par-4 12th. A center-placed bunker within the green was pulled out. Fortunately, the three-hole sequence of holes that follows picks up steam with the 384-yard par-4, 201-yard par-3 and 457-yard par-4. The 15th is a testing drive with a penalty area along the left side of the landing area and the green is especially challenging with a series of vexing internal movements.
The final trio ends the round on a quality high note. Credit the Nicklaus team for a seductive and tantalizing short par-4 at the 16th. Playing 320 yards the hole tempts players to go for the green but the slightest mishap can result in scorecard pain.
The penultimate hole is the last of the lengthy two-shot holes. The 466-yard hole has two bunkers that give the illusion of being near the green but are set-yards away and become a challenge to avoid – especially when encountering the prevailing headwind.
Dutchman’s Pipe closes the round with a lengthy par-5 of 640 yards. The hole becomes especially challenging during the second shot. A long pond enters the picture on the right side. The amount of available landing fairway becomes a concern as any wayward shot can either find water or be blocked from the left side by a tree that stands as a menacing sentinel. The green is one of the best at Dutchman’s Pipe with distinct zones. Those failing to play their approach near enough can end the day with a frustrating three-putt.
Credit Nicklaus Design in doing a stellar job in removing the considerable dust from the previous effort. The “new” layout mandates solid play with only a limited lull in terms of holes lacking meaningful design flair. Florida golf has basic limitations with dead flat parcels of land being the main stumbling block. Kudos to the Nicklaus team in not opting for overkill involvement with the creation of hideous mounds and other unnatural inclusions.
For Dutchman’s Pipe two words say it all —
Welcome back.
***
Ratings Guide
Double eagle — Compelling architecture of the highest order. Your heart will be pounding with exhilaration.
Eagle – Flies high in the clouds, consistent variety with strategic holes of note.
Birdie+ – Engaging design with occasional moments of memorable triumph.
Birdie- – Quality architecture with only momentary lapses in standout holes.
Par – Enjoyable to play but generally vanilla in overall character.
Bogey – Shows fleeting promise but offers pedestrian holes that rarely rise above mediocrity.
Double-bogey – A total mistake – in need of upgrades on hole design and related conditioning snafus.
Triple-bogey – A mess – avoid wasting time and money.
Images courtesy of Jim Mandeville.
