Ballenisles

Surrounded by all the shopping and dining available along PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach County's BallenIsles community stands out with a rich history, a central location and opulent facilities.

BallenIsles came to be in 1964, developed by Florida magnate John D. MacArthur as the PGA National Golf Club. However, if there's one year to remember here, it's 1971. That same year, when the community's club was known simply as PGA National and served as the home of the PGA of America, it became the epicenter of the golf world by playing host to four major golf events: the PGA Seniors', the PGA Championship — won by Jack Niklaus, the PGA Tour Qualifying School and, lastly, the World Cup of golf. Though the PGA decamped to a new facility in 1973, BallenIsles remains a premier golf destination. "BallenIsles has a deep history in our area of being the go-to country club for full-time and part-time residents alike," says Holly Meyer Lucas, a local Realtor with Compass Florida. "It has a great balance between full-time and part-time residents. What makes it so special is that it has the elegance you'd expect from a country club of its prestige while maintaining that South Florida casual, easy-living vibe."

In season, residents of BallenIsles are often outside enjoying the gorgeous landscaping and many amenities under the South Florida sun. Folks ride around its lush palm-tree-lined streets on golf carts, waving to neighbors while they head for golfing, a game of pickleball, pampering at the spa or dining at one of the country club's luxurious restaurants, bars or buffets. With its three championship golf courses, one of which was redesigned by Rees Jones in 2020, and a 65,000-square-foot Sports Complex that features nine pickleball courts and 21 tennis courts, including a stadium court where Venus and Serena Williams trained for more than a decade, the club delivers an exceptional experience.

Residentially, BallenIsles proper is a private, guard-gated community of 33 subdivisions, each distinct from the next while featuring luxuriant rolling greens, sparkling lakes with fountains, and dense but manicured tropical tree lines working as natural, scenic dividers. For example, Palm Bay Club is a coach home community of 28 buildings and 112 residences, whereas St. George Estates comprises 66 custom single-family homes. While square footage, lot size, views and amenities vary between subdivisions, BallenIsles displays Spanish eclectic and Mediterranean Revival architecture; you'll see plenty of stucco siding, earthy tones, terracotta barrel roof tiles and arches. Prices range from $800,000 to around $7 million. More options for multifamily properties, such as town houses and condos, lie just outside country club grounds, bordering the major roads Military Trail and PGA Boulevard. Prices for these properties range between $170,000 and $550,000.

This tropical, athletic, leisure-filled paradise sits at the crux of Florida's Turnpike, PGA Boulevard and North Military Trail. It's a three-minute drive from the high-end retailers at the Gardens Mall and even closer to the boutiques, bistros and cafes at PGA Commons and Mainstreet at Midtown. Splurge by ordering an iced seafood tower at Spoto's Fish & Oyster or turn the nearby farm-to-table restaurant Cooper Craft Kitchen & Bar into your favorite date spot. As for home cooking, you can get all your household ingredients and supplies less than a mile from home at The Fresh Market or Publix.

BallenIsles students have some great schools laid out on their K-12 journey. They can start at Timber Trace Elementary, rated with an A-minus on Niche, before attending Watson B. Duncan Middle, rated with a B-plus on Niche, and, finally, graduating from Palm Beach Gardens Community High, which Niche rated with a B. This high school is home to a five-star, award-winning magnet program with six areas of interest that help students get a leg up on postsecondary education and future careers. There's the culinary arts program, where students get hands-on experience in professional baking and cooking, and the television and film technology program for students interested in entertainment and media. Nearby private-school options include the Trinity Christian School of Palm Beach and the Weiss School.

Experience South Florida seasonally or year-round in BallenIsles, an established community immersed in sporting excellence, tropical splendor, casual luxury and so much more.

Written By

Micaela Willoughby

Photography Contributed By

David Dunn

Video By

Melinda Anselmo