A Modern Florida Mansion Overlooking the First Course Designed by Golfer Justin Thomas

BY BILL CARY

Panther National is the first new gated golf community in Palm Beach County in nearly two decades and is a collaboration between Mr. Thomas and Jack Nicklaus

Listing of the Day

Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Price: $5.9 million

This unbuilt five-bedroom design known as the Zermatt model is one of 218 luxury homes being developed at Panther National, a new high-end golf community anchored by an 18-hole golf course co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas.

“It’s the first new gated golf community in Palm Beach County in nearly two decades,” said Jonas Mikals, director of sales for Panther National. “It’s the first ultramodern community in the county ever.”

The 392-acre master-planned Panther National development is adjacent to a 2,400-acre conservation area. Founded and developed by Dominik Senn, a former Swiss Olympian, the project will feature designs by architect Max Strang, whose contemporary waterside mansions dot South Florida. 

Along with the 18-hole course, Panther National will also have a 9-hole par-3 practice course, golf training facilities, a clubhouse, tennis and pickleball courts, swimming pools, and a wellness and lifestyle center.

Forty properties were released in June, and to date 35 have been sold, Mr. Mikals said. Buyers can choose from 10 different plans, with the ability to customize the interiors. The two-story Zermatt is one of the largest plans, he said.  

After a home is sold, construction is expected to take 12 to 16 months, depending on the size of the house, he said. All of the homes are expected to be completed in 2028.

From the foyer of the Zermatt home, residents step into an open-plan great room with 11-foot ceilings. It features living and dining spaces as well as an open kitchen, a tucked-away scullery for prep and a wine room. 

From the living room, glass sliders that pocket into the wall lead to a covered terrace with a pool cabana and an outdoor kitchen.

This level also holds the owner’s suite, a guest suite, a den, an office and a three-car garage. Upstairs there are two more en-suite bedrooms, a second den and a large terrace that overlooks the pool.

Both of the project’s golf courses are being shaped and developed now, with an opening for both set for Nov. 1, Mr. Mikals said. “We’ve moved 1.5 million cubic yards of dirt for the golf course construction.”

Construction on the 30,000-square-foot clubhouse is planned to begin in the fall, with the opening expected in early 2025. The Lifestyle Club is slated to open in early 2026.

So far, most buyers are from the Northeast, Mr. Mikals said. “It’s New York, Connecticut, Boston and also Chicago, and some from Tennessee, Texas and California.”

For most, this will be a second or third home, he said.

Stats 

The 7,344-square-foot house has five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two partial bathrooms. It sits on a 0.5-acre lot.

Amenities 

Community amenities include a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole golf course designed by Mr. Nicklaus and Mr. Thomas, a current PGA tour star; golf training facilities; a 9-hole par-3 practice course; swimming pools; tennis and pickleball courts; a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse with dining, and a lifestyle center with a spa, saunas, and fitness and yoga studios. 

Neighborhood Notes 

The city of Palm Beach Gardens, which has more than 30 dining spots, is 10 minutes from Panther National, Mr. Mikals said. “It’s a happening place, with fantastic restaurants.”

It’s a 20- to 25-minute drive to the ocean beaches, 20 minutes to West Palm Beach and 25 to Palm Beach, he said. And it’s a 15-minute drive to Palm Beach International Airport.