Trump National Doral - Miami, FL
Few courses in America have witnessed more eras of professional golf than Trump National Doral, home to Miami’s famed Blue Monster. What began as a mid century dream of Florida resort living has evolved into one of the most recognizable venues in professional golf, and in 2026 the PGA Tour will return after a decade long hiatus. The event will reappear as one of nine Signature Events, carrying a $20 million purse.
Doral’s story begins in 1962, when real estate developer Alfred Kaskel opened the resort. The name “Doral” was created by blending his and his wife’s names, Doris and Alfred. The property reflected a broader vision that paired luxury accommodations with championship golf, anchored by a course capable of challenging the very best players in the world. Designed by Dick Wilson, the Blue Monster became one of his final and most enduring works, a sprawling, water laden layout that demanded both precision and power.
For decades, the course was a fixture on the PGA Tour schedule. It hosted the Doral Open from 1962 through 2006 before later becoming the home of the WGC Cadillac Championship. Its finishing hole, the par four 18th wrapped by water down the left side, earned a reputation as one of the most demanding closing holes in professional golf. The list of champions reads like a hall of fame, with Nicklaus, Norman, Woods, Mickelson, and McIlroy all finding ways to survive the Monster.
In 2012, Donald Trump purchased the resort out of bankruptcy and initiated a comprehensive redesign led by architect Gil Hanse. Hanse’s renovation respected Wilson’s original corridors while reshaping the course for the modern game. Deeper bunkers, sharper contours, and bolder visuals brought the Blue Monster back to championship caliber, striking a balance between elegance and brutality.
Hanse’s influence on contemporary golf architecture is difficult to overstate. His work spans restorations and new builds that feel instantly classic, including The Park in West Palm Beach, a community driven public course that has quickly become one of Florida’s most compelling golf stories. His portfolio also includes Streamsong Black, the Olympic Course in Rio de Janeiro, and Ohoopee Match Club in Georgia. His work at Doral reflects the same philosophy, blending strategic interest, visual drama, and respect for the land’s original intent. You can read more about my visit to The Park here.
I had the opportunity to experience the Blue Monster firsthand on October 9th, under relatively mild weather conditions, a rarity in South Florida. My visit came by way of my mother in law’s college friend, Carrie Ruiz, who now serves as General Manager of Golf at Doral. Carrie graciously welcomed me to the property, setting the tone for a stay that seamlessly blended resort comfort with tournament pedigree.
I stayed overnight in the newly renovated Jack Nicklaus Villas, located just steps from the course and representative of the broader refresh underway across the resort. In addition to the Blue Monster, Doral is home to three other courses, the Golden Palm, Red Tiger, and Silver Fox, each offering its own character and routing through the palm framed landscape. Away from the fairways, the resort style pool complex, multiple dining options, and steady rhythm of golf carts and families create an energy that feels vibrant and lived in. It is the type of destination that works just as well for a family vacation as it does for a buddies trip.
The return of PGA Tour golf in 2026 feels like a fitting homecoming. It offers today’s stars the chance to test themselves against a course that has shaped generations of professional golf. From Dick Wilson’s original vision to Gil Hanse’s modern refinement, from the Doral Open to the Signature Event era, the Blue Monster continues to evolve. It remains bold, beautiful, and unmistakably Doral. I look forward to watching the game’s best take on the Blue Monster once again.
