Atlantic Beach Country Club is once again featured on golf video game

The Atlantic Beach Country Club remains on the course list for another generation of the PGA Tour’s only licensed video game.

When the PGA Tour 2K25 game is released Feb. 28, ABCC will be included for a sixth year, along with TPC courses and major championship venues.

Atlantic Beach head professional Rich Podwalski wasn’t sure if the club would be included again. After all, it’s been more than six years since the club hosted the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, which was the reason ABCC was included on the course list of the previous generation of the game made by EA Sports.

“They had a game where players could play in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship at Atlantic Beach and qualify for their PGA Tour card,” Podwalski said. “That was in 2018 and we thought we’d get replaced by Victoria National [the current Korn Ferry Tour Championship venue] when it moved. But we keep getting included every year and we’re pleasantly surprised we’re there again.”

Podwalski had not heard anything one way or another since last year when he worked with the game designers on-site to make adjustments from the way the course looked on the video game six years ago.

Although the course was designed by Erik Larsen and completed in 2015 (on the site of the former Selva Marina Country Club), there have been a few minor changes, such as the green complex behind Nos. 9 and 18 and some waste bunkers that are now “formalized bunkers.”

“The pictures we’ve seen so far look pretty,” Podwalski said.

How does 2K25 describe Atlantic Beach?

“Situated in the heart of Atlantic Beach, Florida, and only three blocks from the ocean, Atlantic Beach Country Club offers a golfing experience like no other. Set amongst Florida’s unique landscape, wildlife and warm climate, this 18-hole championship course is known for playing conditions, speedy greens, and an exciting layout. Atlantic Beach Country Club is unique and challenging in equal measures.

“The golf course at Atlantic Beach is rich in history, having hosted the memorable 1966 Greater Jacksonville Open, where the great Jack Nicklaus recorded the first-ever albatross in tournament competition, scoring a double eagle on the par 5 18th.

“Five sets of tee boxes mean that you can dictate the length you wish to play. Atlantic Beach is the perfect example of a risk-reward golf course.”

What’s the ABCC video course record?

The course record on grass at Atlantic Beach is 59, set by Sam Saunders in 2017. So what’s the video game course record?

Podwalski said that’s tough to nail down since the game can be adjusted to make the experience easier or harder.

“It can be pretty easy to make a birdie on every hole and eagle on every par-5 depending on the skill level,” he said. “We’ve heard of a 50.”

Podwalski said his personal best at ABCC, playing on grass and outdoors, is 69. He’s shot 56 on the video game.

ABCC in good company on 2K25

Podwalkski said being included on a video game naturally brings the course more notoriety.

“Occasionally the guest of a member will come in and tell us they’ve already played the course many times – on the video game,” he said. “But that makes them excited to play the course in real life.”

And ABCC is in select company on this year’s 2K25 game: three of the 2025 major venues are on the game, Oakmont (U.S. Open), Quail Hollow (PGA) and Royal Portrush (British Open), as well as the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, nine other TPC courses, Bay Hill, Pinehurst No. 2, Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach and Riviera.

“That’s a pretty good group of courses to be with,” he said. “We still get excited about it when the new game comes out and we’re still there.”

Atlantic Beach will stage the Sea Best Invitational college tournament on Feb. 2-3, with Jacksonville University as the host team and the LPGA’s Epson Tour Atlantic Beach Classic March 6-8.

When will PGA Tour 2K25 be released?

PGA Tour 2K25 will have its broad release on Feb. 28. The game is available for pre-order now, and ordering the Deluxe Edition or Legend Edition comes with early access beginning Feb. 21.

The Standard Edition of the game costs $69.99. The Deluxe Edition, which includes early access and bonus customizable items, costs $99.99. The Legend Edition, which includes the same bonuses as the Deluxe Edition plus Tiger Woods “Sun Day Red” customizable items, costs $119.99.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: PGA Tour 2K25 video game: Atlantic Beach Country Club again featured