Designers Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player reflect passion for golf in design at Champions Retreat Golf Club, located in Augusta, GA

We had opportunity to catch up with our golf course designers, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player last week during the Masters tournament, to find out what it means to them to leave their mark as a golf course designer in Augusta after leaving their indelible footprint as golf champions by winning 13 of their 26 major championships in Augusta?

Mr. Palmer stated, "I have always had a passion for golf in Augusta. I hope it will show in our design at Champions Retreat." Harrison Minchew, lead designer for Palmer Course Design, also shared his visions of the Palmer Island Nine: "The island is flanked on one side by the broad Savannah River and the other side by the Little River. We will save the spectacular hardwoods and pines along the river bank and will raise the fairways to take advantage of the beautiful vistas out in the rivers. There is not a better setting for golf in the South."

Mr. Player added, "Augusta certainly holds a special place in my heart. My family and I have always so enjoyed the unique traditions of the Masters, particularly for past champions. The golf course design business is also so very important to me, because I feel that we create a permanent gift to nature that will outlive me each time we complete a project. To have the opportunity to do that in a place like Augusta is a wonderful feeling indeed. The site for the Creek Nine at Champions Retreat offers so many opportunities for a wonderful golf course. The opening four holes play along a beautiful wetland area, while the remaining holes move upland through native hardwood trees. The ninth dramatically plays over and around a large lake on the right. All levels of players will finish the nine with a variety of shot making challenges."

Mr. Nicklaus reflected, "From the first time I drove down Magnolia Lane as a 19 year-old Augusta has meant a great deal to me personally. The citizens and golf fans of Augusta have embraced and supported me throughout the years. Until now all my memories linked to Augusta have revolved around tournament golf. It is a special privilege to now have the opportunity to leave a legacy in Augusta as a golf course designer." Nicklaus Design Senior Design Associate Chris Cochran described the Nicklaus Bluffs Nine: "This is a nice, rolling piece of property with mature pines throughout. Very little dirt will be moved, which means the course will fit in nicely with the existing terrain and its surroundings. This is the kind of site that provides you the opportunity to design a golf course that on opening day will appear as if it's been there for 50 years. There is a great deal of variety in the routing, with this nine featuring uphill and downhill shots, as well as a balance of right-to-left and left-to-right holes. The 'Nicklaus Bluffs Nine' will measure almost 3,700 yards from the back tees, so there is plenty of distance there for the professionals or better players. At the same time, the member tees will fit in comfortably at around 3,250 yards and will provide them a very playable but challenging golf course."

Champions Retreat Golf Club, now under construction, consists of three nine-hole signature golf courses individually designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. This private 27-hole course will sit on 1,200 acres, of which 280 acres is an island in the Savannah River.

For more information contact, Betty Carter Surrency, V. P. of Membership and Marketing at 706/869-9800 or toll free 866/906-9667.