The Woodlands, the most successful master-planned community in Texas, is the setting for The Club at Carlton Woods, a magnificent private country club surrounding the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in a gated Houston area community. Located 27 miles north of downtown Houston, The Woodlands features some of the most beautiful forestlands in the state of Texas.

Jack Nicklaus recently visited The Club at Carlton Woods to play the Inaugural Round on the new course. The 7,368-yard, par-72 course takes full advantage of the natural lakes, ponds, forests, and rolling terrain in the area. Areas of natural vegetation separate several of the holes, adding to the beauty and challenge of play on course.

"The Club at Carlton Woods will test the purist, embrace those fortunate ones just beginning the game, and reward all with a memorable golfing experience," Nicklaus said.

Despite rainy weather, Nicklaus played all 18 holes during the Inaugural Round, accompanied by Mark Steinbauer, director of golf for the new club, and his "dream team" of golf professionals, including Sandy Davison, head golf professional, and Dallas Judkins, first assistant golf professional. Eric Bauer, formerly associated with the Nicklaus organization, is golf course superintendent.

The course is the centerpiece of The Club at Carlton Woods, a private membership country club with a capacity for 450 golf memberships and 200 sports memberships. A 50,000-square-foot clubhouse, featuring Italianate architecture, is scheduled to open in 2002. It will offer a mixed grill and fine dining restaurants, wine room with cigar terrace, and private dining rooms. Fully appointed men's, women's, and junior locker rooms with club storage, plus a 5,000-square-foot health and fitness center will enhance the clubhouse amenities.

Carlton Woods is an 827-acre private, gated community offering a total of 520 home sites with approximately 300 still available for sale. Prices of home sites range from $150,000 to more than $1 million, and custom homes range from the $500's to $3.2 million plus.

For information on the Carlton Woods community, call 281-681-1945, or visit the Sales Center located at 61 Carlton Woods Drive, The Woodlands, Texas, or the community's website at http://www.carltonwoods.com. To find out more about The Club at Carlton Woods, call 281-863-5815.

"The course we have created in The Woodlands takes full advantage of the beautifully wooded terrain in this area of the country." - Jack Nicklaus