The margin between victory and defeat in alpine skiing is often measured in milliseconds. The margin between success and failure in the golf course development is much the same, except that instead of being measured of milliseconds, it’s measured in terms of millions of dollars, real estate and memberships.
Few people understand each of those worlds as well as Dominik Senn, a former professional alpine ski racer from Switzerland turned businessman and entrepreneur. Spend only a few minutes with Senn – founder of 4Senn investment, management and consulting company – and you get the idea that he thrives on the challenges of living in worlds where milliseconds and millions of dollars matter. It’s a trait he probably inherited from his mother’s side of the family, many of whom worked as mountain guides in Switzerland.
“Very stubborn,’’ said the Zurich-born Senn. “They go their own way.’’
Located on what has been touted as the last piece of developable land in Palm Beach Gardens, FL., Panther National is a nearly 400-acre community featuring 218 homes and a championship golf course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and current PGA Tour star Justin Thomas. Opened in November 2023, Panther National, which also features a 9-hole, par-3 course known as Panther9 and practice facility, is one of more ambitious golf real estate projects in golf-rich South Florida in the past 25 years.
But Senn wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“I’m known for doing things I believe in and not asking people for advice,’’ Senn said. “A guy like me – coming in from Switzerland – I think totally outside of the box. I’m a professional dreamer. I do what I like for me and my family.’’
Frank Weed, Panther National’s chief executive officer, calls Senn’s vision for the property “nothing short of revolutionary.’’
“It’s setting an entirely new benchmark for golf and lifestyle destinations,’’ Weed said. “His ambition transcends merely constructing a world-class golf course – he is crafting an integrated lifestyle community where luxury, resort amenities, and championship golf converge effortlessly. Dominik isn’t just building a premier golf community; he’s redefining what it means to live, play, and thrive in a place built for the future.’’
That’s particularly evident in the neo-modern architecture of the multi-million dollar Signature and Custom Estates at Panther National.
“Architect Max Strang, the visionary behind the Signature Estates and Clubhouse, is known for his Environmental Modernism style,” Senn said. “I like the architecture a lot because it brings the outdoors inside – and vice versa.”
In 2017, following a series of phone calls and unreturned phone calls – Senn first saw the land west in Palm Beach Gardens that now is Panther National.
“I wanted to build the best version of modern golf,’’ said Senn, a plus-2 handicap who was introduced to the game at age 22 while a member of the Swiss National ski team.
“From the moment I met Dominik, his energy and determination were evident,’’ Weed said. “What stood out was his passion – not just for golf, but for creating an enduring development, something exceptional at Panther National.
“Dominik is also the kind of person who immediately makes you feel that he’s onto something special, and he the uncanny ability to draw you into his vision.’’
Senn went through a small list of course architects before selecting Nicklaus and Thomas, each of whom live close by in northern Palm Beach County and could conceivably be on-site more than other architects.
“As a former skier, I think very much in landforms. With Panther National, I wanted to create something very special with Jack and Justin. We shaped a championship course with a links style, blending dramatic holes with lakes and the look of the neighboring nature preserve. Players can expect the best possible golf experience on a course capable of holding a major championship and designed to be a top course in the world, where every detail has been carefully crafted to challenge and inspire,” said Senn
Aided by about three million cubic yards of fill dirt, Nicklaus and Thomas -along with Nicklaus Design Associate Chris Cochran – created a larger-than-life course (par 72) that stretches nearly 8,000 yards from the tips. Panther National plays as Senn and its designers intended – a work of art filled with shape changes that is difficult particularly when the wind blows – but ultimately fair thanks to landing areas that correspond to each of the seven sets of tees.
“The course looks like a jewel that’s been around for years, almost historic’’ Senn said.
The result is undoubtedly one of the top new courses in the country, showcasing elevation changes unexpected in South Florida, as well as showcasing Senn’s quest for the best of the best.
Nicklaus said, “You won’t find any golf course that’s even remotely close to it in all South Florida.”
Carrying a price tag of $500,000 per membership, Panther National, according to Senn, currently has over a 100 members of varying skill levels. More than 60 homes and homesites have been sold, he said, with the first occupation scheduled for early in 2025.
“The opportunity to bring an unprecedented level of elegance to the game in an area where private golf options have been underserved for years is something in which we take great pride,’’ Senn said.
Feature Photo: Dominik Senn
Photos Courtesy of Panther National