Course shines in its official debut

By Mark Cardon
Courtesy of the Sarasota Herald Tribune

EAST MANATEE -- It was Tony Jacklin's idea from the beginning, and maybe in his heart, Jack Nicklaus knew he had to concede something to his architect partner on opening day at The Concession.

So Nicklaus wanted to have a little fun with Jacklin. The Golden Bear shocked the crowd early on by suggesting he play from the back tees, and Jacklin could play from the member tees.

Big mistake. Did Nicklaus really think that he could upstage Jacklin in what has become Tony's home course in the last six weeks? The back tees play from some 7,500 yards, and member tees from about 6,600 yards.

After all, Nicklaus has played only four rounds of golf since last summer's British Open. Meanwhile, Jacklin, who lives in Manatee County, has played the course many times, including shooting a 79 from the back tees on Saturday with his 14-year-old son, Sean, and his friend, Zack Walker.

It was no contest. Jacklin made five birdies with his new long putter, and Nicklaus one. That's if you count the multiple mulligans they took.

"Hit until your happy," Nicklaus told Jacklin on one par 5.

But this day wasn't all about birdies and pars. This was the grand opening of The Concession, built on 500-plus acres. Approximately 650 invited guests were privileged to witness Monday the unveiling of the latest golfing gem in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

And from what they saw, The Concession has raised the bar for future courses in the area, and everyone else is fighting to be No. 2.

"This is world class," said Jim Duval, the uncle of David Duval, and the head pro at Mission Valley Country Club.

"The Concession is for the new era golfer," said Chris Ayles, a former club pro and club owner.

This is a course that well-heeled and dedicated golfers have joined. Several members in Monday's throng have multiple club memberships where the initiation fees are $100,000 and above.

A few years ago, Jacklin went to Nicklaus with the idea that they build a golf course to honor a special moment in golf history. At the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale in England, Nicklaus conceded a 2-foot putt to Jacklin on the final hole. Both players made par on the hole but if Jacklin, who had recently won the British Open, missed the 2-footer, the U.S. would have won the Cup outright. By conceding the putt, it assured Great Britain of tie, but the U.S. would retain the cup.

"This was the first golf course I know of that was built around a moment in history," said Jacklin after they completed the 18-hole exhibition. "Without your (Nicklaus) gesture, this would have never happened."

The exhibition round was all about showing off the course and providing some fun for the members and perspective members.

Nicklaus hit his customary ceremonial drive off the first tee with a persimmon driver, a replica from a club he used in the 1970s. He signed the club head and ball and gave it to developer Kevin Daves to put on display in The Concession clubhouse when it is built. Nicklaus does this on opening day on every course he designs.

The round took almost six hours to play because the Golf Channel was filming the exhibition to run sometime around this year's Masters. Nicklaus and Jacklin gave details on how and why they hit almost every shot and putt.

The Concession is long and difficult. Four sets of tee boxes make it somewhat easier for the high-handicap golfers, but it is a test from any box.

Aesthetically, it is second to none. Golfers weren't sure if they were in East Manatee County, Georgia or South Carolina. The tall pines and live oaks give that effect.

Richard McLean, a 9-handicapper, liked what he saw.

"It is a big, beautiful, majestic place," he said. "On most courses in Florida, if you miss the greens, you are in trouble. Here, you have plenty of options to play the ball around the greens. If you miss, you are still in good shape."

That's if you can get the ball to the greens. And on many holes, you will have to hit it long and shape it to get there.

"On all my courses, I try to make the golfer think," said Nicklaus. "The short par 4's are fun to play but they have to have a little spice to them."