PGA Tour's New HQ Already Has A Name And It's NOT Terminal A

Foster and Partners are not known for working cheap so I apologize for suggesting their new PGA Tour headquarters—sorry, Global Home—looks like an airport terminal.

I realize that’s unfair since the terminal is partially fronted by a moat. More suited to yacht-docking.

Garry Smits files a lengthy and detail-rich story that lands like an alligator in the front lobby amidst a pandemic, last year’s layoffs and when $65 million collaborative work spaces won’t be cool for a while.

It sounds beautiful, except in a Cat 4 storm:

Thanks to five large skylights, a “collaborative atrium” connecting the two wings and floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light is one of the main features of the building designed by Foster + Partners and built by Clark Construction – which also built the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in 2007.

“It’s 100 percent intentional,” said Kirsten Sabia, the Tour’s vice-president for integrated communications on Thursday after leading a media group through the building. “Prior to designing it, Foster interview a number of employees and asked them what they desired in a new building. The top-two answers were natural light and meeting space. You feel energized when you walk into this building and you feel energized when you walk out.”

Better than feeling fleeced!

The Tour initially is planning on 25 percent occupancy and will continue to give employees the option of working at home until the pandemic subsides.

But how will they feel energized? Other perks of the building…

• Nearly 100 meeting spaces, ranging from small rooms with a table and several chairs to the conference room off Monahan’s office that can seat around two dozen participants.

So, like a third of the vice presidential core.

• A fitness center with aerobic machines, weights, rooms for yoga, pilates and Zumba classes and full locker rooms and showers.

Did I miss a memo? Zumba is back?

Wouldn’t it have just been cheaper to buy everyone a Peloton, an Aeron and a 27-inch Mac? Maybe throw in a home simulator for the six golf nuts left?

But then they’d miss this vital component…

• A dining area that includes a salad bar, sandwich bar and pizza oven. Food purchases will be made from area vendors, produce wholesalers and even farms, and plans are to start a vegetable and spice garden.

The things you can grow in a converted swamp these days.

• A coffee bar where the staff will bake their own pastries and bread.

OFFS.

Stewart Moore, senior director of communications, said the amenities of the Global Home will enable the Tour to compete for talent in areas such as finance, legal, media, digital, broadcasting, data and technology and marketing — since part of the deal to get tax and utility incentives from St. Johns County was to add 300 new jobs over the next 10 years.

I know 50 or so you can add back.

“This is going to be an amazing recruiting tool,” he said. “You talk to people and they want a café, coffee shop, a fitness center.

All key for staying awake watching launch angle golf.

“Having this modern space where they want to come to work will help us keep bringing in the brightest people to keep growing our business.”

Eh em…that’s growing the charitable giving, remember?

The Global Home also will be in full view of fans coming to The Players Championship for years to come.

Goosebump alert!

While the old headquarters buildings were tucked away on the main road leading to the Players Stadium Course, the new digs will remind fans that the Tour is unique among professional sports in that its headquarters, signature event and signature are in the same location.

I couldn’t have said it more confusingly myself.

The Times-Union version of the story includes this photo gallery. Just think, Greg Norman’s newly listed home only would run you about $5 million less. But I bet his staff can’t back their own pastries and bread.