Ohana Real Estate Investors has appointed Andrew Whitelaw as chief operating officer and general manager of Panther National, its private golf and residential community in Palm Beach Gardens. Whitelaw is due to start December 1, 2026, following Ohana’s reported $191 million acquisition of the property in July. The hire signals a focus on club operations and the member experience as the community develops.
Key takeaways
- Whitelaw will oversee Panther National’s golf, club, membership and residential operations.
- He joins from Aronimink Golf Club, where he led operations through the 2026 PGA Championship.
- Ohana acquired Panther National in July 2026 in a deal reported at $191 million.
- The community spans 400 acres and includes a course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas.
A new operations leader
Whitelaw is scheduled to take up the role on December 1. At Panther National, his remit will include day-to-day club management and the experience offered to members and residents. Ohana said strengthening leadership and operations has been a priority since it took ownership.
Whitelaw served as COO and general manager of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, from 2022. He guided the club through the 108th PGA Championship in May 2026. In September, the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland named him a PGA Master Manager, a designation the announcement said had been awarded to only three others.
Panther National’s golf and residential offering
The Palm Beach Gardens community occupies 400 acres beside a 2,400-acre protected nature preserve. Its centerpiece is an 18-hole championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas. The property also features a nearly 60,000-square-foot clubhouse, dining, spa and wellness facilities, pools and racquet sports.
Ohana acquired the community in July 2026 in a transaction reported at $191 million. The purchase marked the real estate investment firm’s first equity investment in Florida. Ohana says its broader platform combines investment, development, residential brokerage and operations, and that it manages nearly $4 billion for investors.
Plans for the next phase
Ohana has said it intends to enhance amenities and build on the club’s operations as Panther National continues to grow. The company also planned to bring a new release of private homes and homesites to market in late October 2026.
Whitelaw said the community’s golf offering, ownership commitment and ambition give it a foundation for long-term development. His appointment places an experienced club operator at the center of Ohana’s effort to shape Panther National’s next stage as a private golf and residential destination in Palm Beach County.
- Andrew Whitelaw to lead Panther National, The First Call Golf.
- Panther National names Andrew Whitelaw COO and GM, The Business Journals.