Palm Beach: LPGA Golf Meets the Iconic History of The Breakers Resort
Michelle McGann, professional golfer and Palm Beach local, shares her favorite golf courses and places to shop. Plus, we sit down with The Breakers’ Senior Vice President of Sales, Jim Mostad, who breaks down the hotel’s greatest offers and amenities, which led to Palm Beach becoming America’s first resort destination. As in all of our destination discoveries, we talk about local flare, popular sites to visit, and the unique activities to make your next meeting or event the best ever. As America’s first resort destination, Palm Beach is truly a sight to behold and a place full of exciting things to do with your meeting or travel partners.
Todd Bludworth and Andy McNeill are travel and hospitality entrepreneurs and owners of the global meetings organization, American Meetings Inc. From sourcing hotels in Palm Beach to corporate event management in Palm Beach, their team sources corporate event venues and have a team of corporate meeting planners in Palm Beach for their clients. They provide ideas for convention themes and how to run global meetings and events in Palm Beach and around the world. For more information go to www.americanmeetings.com.
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Turning pro at the young age of 18, Michelle has played in almost 40 tournaments in her first year alone. Her career brought her around the world and allowed her to play with the most prominent people, from George W. Bush to Michael Jordan.
Palm Beach is home to some of the most beautiful golf courses out there. For Michelle, the course at Seminole is somewhat challenging, but The Bear’s Club offers the true challenge. She also frequents the Old Palm, a club that she represents, and the Jupiter Hills Club, which is one of her favorites situated on the side of a mountain.
Michelle was diagnosed with diabetes when she was young. Her challenging life fighting this disease inspired her to start the Michelle McGann Fund, which brings diabetic children to camp to educate them and help build their self-confidence.
Michelle’s Favorite Food Places
- Captain Charlie’s Reef Grill
- River House
- The Barcelo Aruba
- Limoncello Ristorante
- Russo’s Submarine Sandwich Shop
- C.R. Chicks
Rapid Fire Questions With Michelle
- Have you ever completed anything on your bucket list? My entire life is a bucket list, and I’ve ticked so many boxes off.
- If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be? Ireland, because of its greenery that you see in pictures, magazines, and books.
- When packing for a trip what is something you bring that might surprise people? A soft pillow and several pillowcases so I can switch them out.
- What is your most memorable experience in Palm Beach? As a local, I’m just grateful to live in such a great community and blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family.
Andy and Todd’s Top 10 Bucket List
- Walking down Worth Avenue Drive
- Chartering JFK’s Presidential Yacht
- Visiting Peanut Island
- Enjoying the five-day SunFest event
- Immersing into the polo community in West Palm between January and April
- Attending the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival every December
- Seeing the annual Honda Classic PGA Tour
- Taking part in the Spa Wellness Month during the whole month of October
- Joining a baseball spring training
- Going to the Whitehall at the Flagler Museum
Jim Mostad, Senior Vice President – Sales at The Breakers
Dubbed as the crown jewel of Palm Beach, The Breakers Hotel is an iconic place and an admirable resort destination in Florida. Founded in 1896 by Henry Flagler, it withstood the test of time and is still owned by his direct descendants. Its current Senior Vice President – Sales, Jim Mostad, has experienced working in conferences services before getting his current position.
The Breakers’ Most Desirable Amenities
- A dozen of exciting restaurants
- 140-acre golf course
- Tremendous tennis complex
Jim also highlights the hotel’s signature experience: bungalows. Unlike some destinations were renting one means only getting a pop-up tent, The Breakers ups the game by offering an entire facility. It includes restrooms, an air conditioning unit, and a television. Concierge services, dining options, and recreational activities are all available in the bungalow.
The Breakers is also not short of flavorful cuisine. Jim highly recommends dining at the Seafood Bar and Adam D. Tihany. To make the trip to Palm Beach a bit more memorable, he also recommends visiting when annual events are taking place, particularly the Concours d’Elegance and Cavallino Classic.
Jim’s Top 3 Favorite Things To Do In The Breakers
- Riding a bicycle along the Palm Beach bike trail
- Renting a bungalow for a day
- Visiting the Flagler Museum
About Jim Mostad
Jim has spent 36 years at The Breakers in various Sales and Conference Services positions. Current responsibilities include overseeing group, social, event sales and conference services.
Nearly a long long resident of Florida, and hobbies include golf and fishing!
About Michelle McGann
Michelle first stepped on the golf course when she was only 7 years old, having special “alone” time with her dad and learning how powerful she could feel from the perfect swing. At age 13 she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, but through diet, monitoring and proper medications, her diabetes has proved to be just another challenge in the game.
The sport has kept her traveling as a 3-time Florida State Junior Champion, the 1987 USGA Junior Girls Champion, AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year, 1987 Rolex Junior First-Team All-American, and the 1988 Doherty Cup Championship. She was also recognized by GOLF Magazine and GOLF Digest as Amateur of the Year in 1987. At age 18, Michelle decided to skip college and give the LPGA tour a go, making it on her first attempt!
Since joining the LPGA Tour, she has won 8 professional tournaments and participated in two (2) Solheim Cups. She has been fortunate to play golf with Presidents, captains of industry, and some of the greatest sportsmen and women in history.
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