Nicklaus Design goes 2-for-2 in Best New

For second year in a row, Nicklaus grabs “America’s Best New Private Course,”
as Sebonack Golf Club is recognized with Golf Digest’s coveted honor

NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA—The canvas might change but the recognition remains the same for Jack Nicklaus. The Golden Bear can again stake claim to the “Best New Private Course in America,” as Sebonack Golf Club, nestled on the Great Peconic Bay in Southampton, N.Y., took the most coveted honor in Golf Digest’s annual ranking of “America’s Best New Courses.”

Sebonack was celebrated, prior to its opening in 2006, as one of the most innovative course designs to be unveiled in years.

The honor for Sebonack, the first-ever collaboration between Nicklaus and Tom Doak, comes a year after The Concession Golf Club near Sarasota, Fla., a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course designed in association with Tony Jacklin, was named the “Best New Private Course in America” for 2006. Sebonack became the seventh No. 1 ranking for the Golden Bear since the survey began 25 years ago. Overall, Nicklaus Design had four courses recognized in the 2007 survey, which is featured in the January issue of Golf Digest.

“Having witnessed a lot of behind the scenes activity during its construction, I was especially impressed by all the thought involved, by Jack and the Nicklaus team, including Jim Lipe and Chris Rule, and by collaborating designer Tom Doak and his crew,” said Ron Whitten, Golf Digest’s senior architecture editor. “Every shot, every strategy, every angle, every contour, every hazard was contemplated, discussed and resolved. Sebonack evolved into a tremendous golf course as a result of intelligent design.”

Sebonack was celebrated, prior to its opening in 2006, as one of the most innovative course designs to be unveiled in years and, just months after opening, appeared on GOLF Magazine’s list of the “Top 100 Courses in the U.S.” The co-design was also recently ranked No. 3 on Golfweek’s listing of the “Best New Courses 2007.”

Sebonack stretches 7,220 yards from the back tees, while offering a challenging but not intimidating round of golf with views of historic neighbors the National Golf Links of America and Shinnecock Hills Golf Course.

Joining Sebonack on Golf Digest’s 2007 list was Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero, Fla., which finished 4th in the Best New Upscale Public category (green fees over $75). A Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, this Audubon-certified course was created to blend perfectly with the natural Florida environment and provide a challenging, enjoyable golf experience for players of all levels.

Rounding out Nicklaus Design’s list of four courses honored in Golf Digest’s “America’s Best New Courses” are The Broadmoor Golf Club and The Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University. The Mountain Course at The Broadmoor, a Nicklaus Design renovation led by Jack Nicklaus II, President of Nicklaus Design, and Senior Design Associate Chris Cochran, finished No. 3 in the Best New Public Remodel category, while The Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University came in at No. 5 in the Best New Private Remodel category.

Golf Digest’s annual survey of America’s Best New Courses is conducted by a panel of 800 golfers who considered nominees that had opened between May 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007. Panelists rated courses based on shot values, design variety, resistance to scoring, memorability and aesthetics.