Panther National introduces three new hires

Panther National, the new luxury golf and lifestyle community currently under development in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, added three key people to its staff ahead of the scheduled opening of the golf course and lounge in late 2023.

The new hires include director of agronomy Steve Ehrbar, director of golf Tom Dyer, director of membership Julie O’Neill. All three will start in September and will serve on the club’s executive operating committee.

“Steve, Tom and Julie are important additions to the Panther National team as we get closer to the official opening of the course and we couldn’t be happier to welcome them on board,” Panther National founder and developer Dominik Senn said. “Their combined wealth of experience in top golf and lifestyle communities here in South Florida will ensure that our members enjoy a world-class experience from day one.”

Ehrbar comes to Panther National as the club’s director of agronomy, bringing more than four decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge to his new role having worked on major golf course design projects with Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Ehrbar helped guide the Old Marsh Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens to Audubon Sanctuary Certification in all six categories and for the last 15 years served as the director of golf course maintenance at Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Florida, where he earned the club its reputation for the best year-round playing conditions in the region.

Dyer brings dynamic career experience in the golf industry distinguished by a commendable record of financial, operational and playing success. He was previously selected by the SECPGA as Teacher of the Year, Merchandiser of the Year and Golf Professional of the Year. He joins Panther National after 26 years as the director of golf at Old Marsh Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens.

O’Neill comes to Panther National with more than 30 years of award-winning membership sales and marketing experience. She has a proven track record of success at private clubs throughout South Florida, most recently as the director of membership and communications at Lauderdale Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she oversaw the reopening of the clubhouse following a $30 million renovation.

In partnership with Nicklaus and PGA Tour star Justin Thomas, Panther National will feature a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole course, representing the first time the golfers have teamed up on a course design project. The course will be complemented by world-class training facilities, including state-of-the-art ball tracing technology, elite pros to provide tailored instruction, an indoor simulator, putting room and high-end fitness training equipment. Golfers of all skill levels will enjoy playing on the community’s 9-hole, par-3 practice course with a short game area and hitting bays.

Ground was broken on Panther National, described as the first modern golf and lifestyle community to debut in Palm Beach County in nearly two decades, on February 22.