Nicklaus helps shape revamped Honda Classic

By Randall Mell
Courtesy of South Florida Sun-Sentinel

PALM BEACH GARDENS . Jack Nicklaus' fingerprints already can be seen on the Honda Classic's ambitious new plans to become a bigger and better PGA Tour event.

The tournament may be eight months away, but the Golden Bear is busy making sure PGA Tour pros will be more seriously tested when they tee it up for the first time at the Honda Classic's new home at PGA National next March.

Nicklaus and his architectural company directing course alterations, PGA National's Champion Course is being transformed from a short track to a monster test. The changes are just one facet of multiple player, fan and sponsor enhancements designed to elevate the 35-year-old tournament's status and attract the game's biggest stars.

Nicklaus is overseeing the construction of at least five new tee boxes that will shrink and stretch the course to offer a sterner test.

While par will shrink from 72 to 70 during tournament week, the course will be stretched from 7,021 yards to at least 7,300 yards.

That's 36 yards longer than Winged Foot played in the U.S. Open three weeks ago.

"Jack hasn't completed his design plans yet," Honda Classic Executive Director Kenneth Kennerly said in a news conference Monday unveiling a long list of tournament upgrades. "He has been out here several times, and he's coming out again."

While Nicklaus may not be the Honda Classic's official host, the tournament hopes to thrive with the Golden Bear's presence looming prominently over the event. The Nicklaus Children's Healthcare Foundation was created last spring to operate the event with the Nicklaus Children's Hospital among the charity's primary beneficiaries. Jack's wife, Barbara, is chairwoman of the foundation and his son, Gary, is president.

The Nicklaus Village with chalets and skyboxes will be created as a fan-friendly environment around the 18th hole, with The Bear Trap fan amenities being built to provide a "festive atmosphere" around the 17th hole, a tough par 3 over water.

Tournament officials hope all of this will lure Tiger Woods, who is building an estate on nearby Jupiter Island.

"We hope he supports a place that will be his future home," Kennerly said.

The Honda Classic was played the past four years at The Country Club at Mirasol, but it will jump across the street to the south side of PGA Boulevard and PGA National next year with a new date (March 1-4). It's the new leadoff event on the revamped Florida Swing.

The CA-Championship, a World Golf Championship event, will anchor the Florida Swing at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in the last week of March.

"Our goal next year is to be the most improved PGA Tour event," Kennerly said. "It is our mission to raise the bar, not just another level but three or four different levels.

"We believe strongly by 2009, if not sooner, we will be one of the premier events on tour."

Kennerly, Tournament Director Ed McEnroe and their staff seek to implement the ideas from the best tour events, including those that helped enhance the atmosphere at Doral.

The plans call for catering from local steakhouses for players on the driving range, a racecar driving experience for players at Moroso Speedway and high-end hospitality for regular ticket holders with a Taste of Palm Beach featuring local restaurants. A family fun zone is planned, as are evening concerts and fireworks shows after daily rounds.