North Palm Beach CC celebrates grand opening
North Palm Beach resident Jack Nicklaus, along with sons Jack II and Gary,
play an exhibition round on the layout the Golden Bear renovated, redesigned
(1/19/2007) NORTH PALM BEACH, FLA.--Today is the day Jack Nicklaus gets to officially unwrap his gift.
Golf legend and preeminent course designer Jack Nicklaus, who has spent parts of the last five decades as a North Palm Beach resident, was on hand Friday for the official grand opening of North Palm Beach Country Club to play his first round of golf on the layout that he renovated and redesigned as a gift to the community that he calls home. Well, the gift did have a price tag: $1.
"This was my way to give a little something back to the community and the people who have given me so much," said Nicklaus. "This has been a fun project, and one of which I am very proud."
More than 500 guests, village residents and local officials, including Mayor David Norris, joined in the celebration of this new Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. The Golden Bear, who volunteered his design services to the community he and his family have called home for over 40 years, joined sons and fellow residents Jack II and Gary in an 18-hole exhibition round to explain the philosophy behind the redesign of the venerable track.
"The course features holes that move both directions, with plenty of room to drive your ball," said Mike Gray, head golf professional at North Palm Beach Country Club. "The green settings are diverse and challenging, offering many options to chip, pitch, or putt your ball. Jack has designed a 'must play' golf course on a beautiful piece of property."
While Nicklaus has been involved in 253 of Nicklaus Design's 310 golf courses open for play worldwide, North Palm Beach Country Club represents only the second municipal golf course he has had the opportunity to design. The first was Breckenridge Golf Club in Colorado, which opened over
20 years ago to rave reviews and remains one of the state's most successful public-access courses. Breckenridge features 27 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf--the last nine being built and opened in 2001 to accommodate the demand for play at the course.
The original North Palm Beach Country Club layout was designed in 1926 by Seth Raynor, and was first renovated in 1989. Construction on the Nicklaus renovation began April 24, 2006, and included a new irrigation system, total re-grassing of all playing surfaces, new green construction, improved fairway surface drainage, and extensive redesign work.
"It's a labor of love in many ways," said Nicklaus. "I felt the property deserved a strong golf course from the back tees, a very user-friendly and forgiving golf course from the member and senior tees, and an enjoyable golf experience for the women."
Since opening for play in November 2006, the club has increased from 350 to 500 members with a waiting list of 80 residents. Golf memberships now include both residents and non-residents, and the course is also available to the public.
"The Greatest physical asset that we have in the Village of North Palm Beach is the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course," said North Palm Beach Vice Mayor Ed Eissey. "It will be the 'shining star' of the golf world, not only in Palm Beach County, but the state of Florida, and throughout the nation. We should be very proud that Mr. Jack Nicklaus allowed us to use his talents and his name on this project."
North Palm Beach Country Club is one of 18 Nicklaus Design courses to open in 2006 and the company expects to open 32 additional courses in 2007. Nicklaus Design is considered the world leader in golf course design, with 56 courses under construction, design or development in 37 different countries. The firm already has courses open for play in 29 countries and 38 states.
For more than 35 years, the mission of the Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience, and to bring to the national and international consumer golf-related businesses and services that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of Jack Nicklaus. These services include golf-course design, the development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of golf products and services. At least 50 Nicklaus Design courses have been ranked in various national or international Top-100 lists.
(Sept. 2006) "North Palm Beach Country Club was built in the late 1920s and was one of the last courses designed by Seth Raynor. It was done when it was sand-dunes property that extended into the Seminole area. Since that time, most, if not all, of Seth Raynor's influence has disappeared, whether it was the affect of the years or the renovations that have taken place at different points and times. When I was asked to design a golf course, I was asked to do a course that would fit this piece of property. As for the property, it is located right on US Highway #1, and is situated in the center of North Palm Beach and in the center of a largely populated area. It is not a large piece of property, probably less than 125 acres in total. But, the property was pure sand, with different varieties of sand--white, gray and orange sand. The orange sand turned out to be some of the best bunker sand we have found in the state of Florida, from what we call a 'fried egg standpoint.' It's very angular sand.
"As for the design itself, I felt the property deserved a strong golf course from the back tees, a very user-friendly and forgiving golf course from the member and senior tees, and an enjoyable golf experience for the women. That's what I tried to do. We ended up with a par 71, playing just under 7,100 yards from the back tees. When we started, the course was a par 72 and 6,300 yards. For the first 180 to 200 yards off the member tees, it is very wide, so there is plenty of room off the tee, thus making it very user friendly for the seniors and members. The better golfer you are and the farther you hit the ball, the more you have to play golf. The greens have nice movement to them. There are several lakes on the golf course to add to the strategy and overall look. I think this golf course will be an interesting golf course from a visual standpoint and it will be a very photographed course. From the member and visiting golfer's perspective, it should be a fun golf course to play. Overall, I think North Palm Beach Country Club will be a great addition and showcase course for the Palm Beaches...and, as a bonus, built under budget.
"I have lived in North Palm Beach for more than 35 years. I feel that it's a good community, a community that has supported me and my family. This was my way to give a little something back to the community and the people who have given me so much. If I am able to do that with a very good, modestly priced golf course for the people of the Village, that brings a certain sense of satisfaction. This has been a fun project, and one of which I am very proud."
--Jack Nicklaus |
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Hole
#2 progress |
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April 2006 |
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June 2006 |
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July 2006 |
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August 2006 |
Course
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Video |
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Ground Breaking |
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Jack talks about his design
at North Palm Beach CC.
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