"I remember saying back in the mid-eighties when I first saw the Melrose property that this site was an uncut jewel. It was a gorgeous piece of property. It was similar in ways to Kiawah and Harbour Town, but the land was higher and perhaps had more variety. There's oceanfront, salt and fresh marsh, live oaks, mature pines, magnolias and other hardwoods. All we had to do was set a golf course in there, and the end result was a design that tested the better players but was playable and enjoyable for all golfers. Most of all. we think we gave players a memorable experience."

- Jack Nicklaus