Four Palm Beach Golf Facilities Honored as 2026 "Best of" Winners

Osprey Point, Okeeheelee, Park Ridge, and John Prince Golf Center recognized by local community awards

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Four golf facilities operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department were honored at the 2026 Palm Beach County Official Community's Choice Awards, hosted by The Palm Beach Post and Local IQ. Osprey Point Golf Course was named Best Public Golf Course, Okeeheelee Golf Course and Park Ridge Golf Course were Top 3 Finalists in the Sports & Fitness – Public Golf Course category, and John Prince Golf Learning Center was named Best Local Sports Attraction.

Why it matters

These awards highlight the important role that public golf courses play in providing accessible, affordable, and welcoming recreational opportunities for the Palm Beach County community. The recognition also demonstrates the dedication of the Parks and Recreation staff in maintaining high-quality playing conditions and creating positive experiences for golfers of all skill levels.

The details

The awards were presented at the Official Community Choice Awards Gala on March 12, 2026, held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Representing Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation at the event were Jennifer Cirillo, Director; Paul Connell, Deputy Director; Indira Persaud, Division Director of the Special Facilities Division; Eric Rein, Golf Operations Supervisor; Tevin Ali, Parks Coordinator; George Dixon, Manager of Osprey Point Golf Course; Juan Calderon, Manager of John Prince Golf Learning Center; Sean Steinemann, Manager of Park Ridge Golf Course; Sharon Painter, Manager of Southwinds Golf Course; and Geoff Fischer, Assistant Manager of Okeeheelee Golf Course.

  • The awards were announced at the Official Community Choice Awards Gala on March 12, 2026.
  • The gala was held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

The players

Jennifer Cirillo

Director of the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.

Paul Connell

Deputy Director of the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.

Indira Persaud

Division Director of the Special Facilities Division at the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.

Osprey Point Golf Course

A public golf course in Palm Beach County that was named Best Public Golf Course.

Okeeheelee Golf Course

A public golf course in Palm Beach County that was recognized as a Top 3 Finalist in the Sports & Fitness – Public Golf Course category.

Park Ridge Golf Course

A public golf course in Palm Beach County that was recognized as a Top 3 Finalist in the Sports & Fitness – Public Golf Course category.

John Prince Golf Learning Center

A public golf facility in Palm Beach County that was named Best Local Sports Attraction.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Public golf courses play an essential role in our parks system by ensuring that the game remains accessible, affordable and welcoming to everyone. These awards recognize not only the community's support for the quality of the courses, but also the dedication of staff, who create outstanding playing conditions while providing opportunities for learning, youth development and lifelong recreation. We are proud that our public facilities demonstrate that championship-level experiences and community access can go hand-in-hand.”

— Jennifer Cirillo, Director of Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation

“Congratulations to Osprey Point Golf Course and the John Prince Golf Learning Center for this well-deserved recognition. This highlights the outstanding experiences, beautiful courses and welcoming environment we provide for golfers throughout our community. Even more exciting, this award is voted on by the public, making it a true reflection of the support and appreciation from local golfers and residents.”

— Indira Persaud, Director of the Special Facilities Division at Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation

“It continues to be a highlight each year to lead a marketing and community engagement campaign that engages the Palm Beach County community and our golfers to nominate and celebrate the courses they play and love as the best in the county. Because these awards are voted on by the community, the recognition makes it even more meaningful to our team. Many visitors travel from near and far to experience our unique courses and the community's passion for our facilities continues to shine year after year.”

— Tevin Ali, Parks Coordinator at Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation

What’s next

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department will continue to maintain and improve the award-winning golf facilities, ensuring they provide high-quality experiences for the local community and visitors alike.

The takeaway

These awards demonstrate the strong community support and appreciation for the public golf courses operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. The recognition highlights the department's commitment to making the game accessible, affordable, and welcoming for all golfers, while also providing opportunities for learning, youth development, and lifelong recreation.