The Power Hitter- E. Llwyd Ecclestone Born March 8, 1936

Because he estimates he has developed $1.3 billion of assessed property in Palm Beach County since he arrived in 1965, back when “there wasn’t even a traffic light at U.S. 1 and PGA Boulevard.”
Because he has given thousands to political campaigns during that time, becoming the most politically powerful developer in 20 years. “If it helps the county, it will help me,” he says. “Palm Beach County is better off today than 35 years ago.”
Because he admits he’s too blunt sometimes, but defends himself with a characteristic straight answer: “Everything I’ve done is out there where everyone can see it, feel it and touch it.”
Because these are some of the things you can see: PGA National, The Forum office buildings on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Old Port Cove in North Palm Beach and Lost Tree Village near North Palm Beach. His Ecclestone Organization employs about 1,200 people.
Because the PGA of America was threatening to bolt for Dunedin in the late 1970s when he bought 2,000 acres and called it PGA National. The residential and resort development now is home to as many as 18,000 people during the season.
Because he led the 1988 expansion of Palm Beach International Airport, insisting on a parking garage and a snazzy inside design that didn’t look like “a plastic airport interior.”
Because he chipped in $500,000 in 1992 to help the Kravis Center open debt-free.
Because he spent a weekend with Marshall Benjamin in the Bahamas in the early 1970s talking about how the county needed a good, private prep school – and those conversations and large checks from Ecclestone and others helped start the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach. He was whisked off to boarding school when he was a kid, and he wanted his four children to have a first-class private school at home.
Because he’s known as a straight shooter, by friends and enemies alike. “He’s the ultimate opposition,” says Andre Fladell, a Delray Beach chiropractor and political operator who faced off against Ecclestone many times during the early 1980s. “Nothing is done in the dark. He warns you first that he’s going to kill you, then he points the gun at your head and takes you out. You’ve got to love someone who comes right at you.”
Because one of his critics – County Commissioner Karen Marcus – put their differences aside for at least a day and attended his third wedding in 1997.
Because Edwin Llwyd Ecclestone was a “Jr.” for most of his life, but he dropped the “Jr.” from his name after his father’s death in 1981 and can’t understand why people and the press don’t honor that. “He did his thing, and I did mine,” he said of his father.
Because he’s a staunch Republican who enjoys fighting for causes he believes in. In 1989, he spearheaded the effort to change the Palm Beach County Commission from an at-large election of five members to single-district voting for seven members. He won – reducing the power of the anti-growth condo voters in southern Palm Beach County.
Because he puts out voter registration cards in his office lobby. “I think it’s important for everybody to vote – for better or for worse,” he said.
Because he owns seven golf courses and doesn’t play golf.
Because Sports Illustrated called him “baby-faced but tough” when he sailed his boat Dynamite to victory in the Canada Cup in 1972. And he still is.
- PAUL OWERS