FRISCO, TEXAS—At $520 million, Omni PGA Frisco Resort is the largest active resort project in the U.S. When the doors open in May 2023, it aims to deliver an experience that will leave other venues green with envy.
The sprawling 650-acre campus looks to be a hole-in-one stay for associations, corporations, and sports groups—and, yes, that most certainly includes the PGA—that make the 500-room resort home base for meetings and events.
Recreation, retail, and relaxation are built-in amenities that add to the state-of-the-art technology, forward-thinking meeting spaces, and buffet of food and beverage options.
Jeff Smith, vice president and managing director at Omni PGA Frisco Resort, pledges the vast investment will be worthy of its location in the country’s fastest-growing region—Universal Parks & Resorts even plans to bring a new concept to town—which is a mere 30 miles from Dallas (home of Omni’s headquarters). “You don't invest $520 million unless you feel like it's going to be successful," he says. "It absolutely will be successful."
As the new headquarters for the PGA—which sought a central location after outgrowing its home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.—the resort will be inextricably linked to golf. Yet, even as the term “game changer” is associated with the project, the meeting spaces and amenities will fit groups disinterested in the sport to a tee as well.
With group booking now available, we share four reasons planners may be calling ‘fore too long to Omni PGA Frisco Resort...
Meeting space will be abundant throughout the resort—both indoors and outdoors—and includes spaces like this glitzy junior ballroom.Rendering: Courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort
1. The Meeting Spaces
The resort’s construction occurred as the meeting and events industry began reinventing itself for a post-pandemic world. Most obvious of some potential new priorities are the meeting spaces. It's just as easy to convene a large group outdoors as it is indoors across the 127,000 square feet of event space. The event lawn and adjacent pavilion can be used hand in hand for an indoor-outdoor gathering, as could the Ice House bar and its surrounding green space.
Ice House bar and its surrounding green space can also be rented out for events.Rendering: Courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort
2. The Food and Drink
Smith can barely contain his excitement for the dining offerings, throwing in a baking metaphor for good measure. “Omni is the anti-cookie-cutter brand in our industry in our space," he says. "And that really carries through to our food and beverage." There will be 13 venues to grab a bite, ranging from fine dining to Texas barbecue and grab-and-go fare.
The PGA Championship is already slated for 2027 on the property.Rendering: Courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort
3. The Golf
It’s hard to ignore the obvious: Omni PGA Frisco is going to be home to elite-level golf courses. The PGA Championship is already slated for 2027 on the property. Fundraisers and charitable golf tournaments are natural here. Less formally, planners can encourage attendees to extend their stay on either end of a meeting to hit the links or watch a tournament in action. (Smith notes the resort can host a meeting while PGA action is also occurring.) A putting green and 10-hole short course are two other, easier options for beginners, and Topgolf is also planting a flag on-site with its lounge, offering its swing suite options to the corporate and association crowd aiming for a less competitive way of networking.
An adults-only pool will be on property.Rendering: Courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort
4. More Than Golf
“Whether you appreciate or enjoy the game of golf or not, the resort will be spectacular,” Smith assures. There are certainly multiple activities not related to the game. Among them is Mokara Spa with 20 rooms and a private pool. There are three other pools on property, including a rooftop option. A retail district adds to the all-in-one experience.
