If there is anywhere that golf is truly celebrated, it’s at Boca West. From four championship golf courses to renowned practice facilities, this private golf club just minutes from Downtown Boca Raton provides golfers of all skill levels with a fun yet challenging golf experience. At the helm of it all, Director of Golf Travis Wehrs plays a pivotal role in upholding Boca West’s storied golf lifestyle.
With a degree from PGA of America in Golf Operations and General Management, Travis spent 12 years as the Head Golf Professional at Olde Hickory Golf and Country Club, followed by eight years as the Director of Golf at Fiddlesticks Country Club. As the summer season has unfolded, he has introduced new team members and new programs at Boca West aimed to elevate the playing experience to new heights. Hear from Wehrs what Members can look forward to this fall.
What Should Members be Looking Forward to in the 2024 Golf Season?
“As our team continues to prepare for this upcoming golf season, we have stressed the importance of embracing tradition while also implementing new ideas. Members can still expect to play in many of the familiar and favored large-scale social golf tournaments. However, they should also expect to see new events in a smaller and more intimate format. Adding this diversification to our tournament calendar will create more balance and appeal to golfers of all skill and social levels.”
What Updates Have Been Made to the Courses This Summer?
“We have identified a select group of holes on Fazio II as a test site for Bimini Bermuda grass. If successful, our plan is to replace the existing Paspalum grass on the tees, fairways, and rough of all four courses with Bimini Bermuda. This specific strain has an excellent wear tolerance and a beautiful green color. As we anticipate the forthcoming course improvements outlined in Fry & Straka’s new master plan, seeing how this new grass reacts is a pivotal step toward our future success.”
Has There Been Any New Additions to the Golf Staff?
“In July, we welcomed John Damon as our new PGA Senior Assistant Golf Professional. A proud graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, he worked at Fiddlesticks Country Club as an Assistant Golf Professional, where he managed the day-to-day operations of this award-winning 36-hole private Club. We look forward to working with John and watching him grow into his new position.”
Which Tools or Techniques Are Most Popular in Golf Training?
“We’ve incorporated various technologies into our programs that provide a value-added service during lessons. Incorporating K-Motion, BodiTrak, and Blast Motion technologies into our teaching programs has given our team excellent tools for monitoring progress, as they take the guesswork out of performance. In November 2021, we also launched the first “Top Golf” type of experience for a country club in the United States. Mr. D’s 19th Hole and Drive Suites with seven upgraded driving range suites, along with 19 additional bays, all equipped with golf radar tracking technology, as well as a full bar and restaurant service. As a way to teach our Members how to use InRange to advance their golf game, we have hosted up to twenty complimentary sessions that have attracted 250+ Members.”
As the Director of Golf, What is Your Vision for the Future of Golf at Boca West?
“Our golf operation will remain at the forefront of technology and hospitality, always with a clear view of the future. While our current Members are top priority, our forward-thinking, innovative attitude extends to prospective Members as well. As the largest golf operation in South Florida with up to 65 employees, our diverse strengths allow us to present a world-class golf offering. We encourage our team to think outside the box and embrace change, keeping our department on the cutting edge of many programs and services our Members get to enjoy.”
The Nation’s #1 Private Residential Country Club Lifestyle
Championship golf is just the beginning of the resort-style amenities Members at Boca West enjoy. Boca West’s $45 million Club expansion to the Lifestyle & Racquet Center is planned to open this fall, including an expanded Fitness and Wellness Center with several movement studios and state-of-the-art technology for spin, aerobics, Pilates, and core training. A serene Spa Garden will have an outdoor wet area with relaxing water features, lounge chairs, and cabanas to enjoy before or after treatments. The Aquatics Center will also be expanded to include five pools, two activity lawns, and a multipurpose event space. The Lifestyle & Racquet Center will also bring Boca West’s total on-site dining venues to a perfect 10 – eight dedicated dining venues (restaurants, bars, and lounges) plus two pop-up themed food trailers and a grab-and-go market – that rival the top restaurants across the country. Members also enjoy 27 Har-Tru Hydro tennis courts, 14 pickleball courts, and over 600 annual events.
55 unique neighborhoods provide a style to match every taste, size, and price point, from lock-and-leave villas and lavish condominiums to spacious single-family homes. As the on-site experts, Boca West Realty is available to assist homebuyers with finding their ideal residence, with timely releases of new listings as they become available. To be among the first to learn about new listings, register your interest at BocaWest.com. Boca West Realty’s Welcome Sales Center is also open daily just outside the community’s Glades Road Gates entrance. Contact Boca West Realty at 561.665.5855 to schedule a private Club tour or real estate preview.
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