Jack Nicklaus Auctions Personal Rolex for Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation
Jack Nicklaus’s record 18 major championship victories spanned three decades and two continents. Throughout most of that period from 1967 on, the one constant in nearly every photograph of Nicklaus hoisting a trophy, is his classic gold Rolex Day-Date watch that became one of his most cherished possessions. Last night this Rolex watch was auctioned in New York by Phillips, with a hammer price of $1,220,000 from a private collector. All proceeds from the sale will directly benefit the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, and its ongoing efforts to provide the best care to children in need around the world. The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation have served children and families from all 50 states and 119 countries.
Collaborating with pediatric hospitals across the United States, the Foundation supports innovative programs focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood illnesses. Its efforts include support for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, a world leader in pediatric healthcare with over 800 attending physicians and more than 475 pediatric subspecialists. The Nicklaus Children’s Health System includes 15 Nicklaus Children’s Outpatient Centers.
“We are thrilled that the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation is the beneficiary of these proceeds,” said Howard Milstein, Executive Chairman of Nicklaus Companies and Board Member of the Foundation. “This Foundation holds a very special place in the hearts of both Jack and Barbara. I can’t express enough how delighted I am that my dear friend and partner was willing to part with this perpetual symbol of excellence to help so many families. This certainly is a highpoint in the charitable activities that have been part of the DNA of the Nicklaus Companies from the very beginning. Congratulations to Jack and Barbara!”
Nicklaus Design Around the Globe
Mount Juliet to Host 2020 DDF Irish Open
Mount Juliet Estate and Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, will host the DDF Irish Open, May 28-31, 2020. The premier international field will include defending champion Jon Rahm, plus Ireland’s favorite son, Rory Mcllroy, and The 2019 Open Champion, Shane Lowry. A parkland course, Mount Juliet is situated in rolling pastures and woodlands on Ireland’s sunny southeast side, north of Waterford. Mount Juliet hosted the WGC-American Express Championship in 2002 and 2004 and the Irish Open in 1995.
Vietnam
The Nicklaus-BRG partnership continues to flourish and expand its golf footprint in Vietnam. Already, three courses are open for play, including the Jack Nicklaus II Signature Course at Kings Island. In addition, the back nine holes at DaNang Golf Club are under construction and grassing is expected to finish by year’s end. Ground will also be broken later this month on the HaNam course 50 kilometers outside Hanoi.
Jurmala Golf Club and Hotel in Latvia Celebrates Its First Season
Originally asked in 2012 to propose a new design for the existing 27-hole layout, the Nicklaus Design team concluded that a major rebuild was necessary to maintain the expected high standards. What followed was extensive sand capping, drainage and irrigation, and completely new routing.
The “new” 18-hole Jurmala Course offers a challenge with strategically placed bunkers, water hazards, and tall fescue roughs. A nine-hole Academy Course occupies a portion of the former orchard with many of the trees still bearing fruit each autumn. Undulating raised greens provide a test for even the most seasoned golfers.
Nicklaus Designer Dirk Bouts and Agronomist Sylvain Duval oversaw the development, visiting the site several times each year.
CJ Nine Bridges Golf Forum – Jeju, Korea
Nicklaus Design Asia Pacific President, Paul Stringer, was a featured panelist at the global golf industry summit held last month at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges in South Korea. Among the trending topics were golf course development in the Asia Pacific region, golf industry trends, technology, and the future of golf in Asia. “Our thriving business in Asia continues to expand and remains a priority for Nicklaus Design,” commented Stringer. “CJ’s gathering of industry leaders provided for a meaningful discussion from sustainability to growing the game in the Asia Pacific region.”
Seoul, South Korea
As the Nicklaus Design Company expands in the South Korean golf market, a new representative has been appointed. Ah Ra Yoo will be headquartered in Seoul and lead business development in this important market for the company, complemented by her extensive knowledge of the South Korean golf industry.
Video Spotlight: Chris Cochran and Quivira
Nearly five years ago, Nicklaus Design unveiled Quivira Golf Club in Los Cabos. Since then it has been recognized as one of the finest resort venues in the hemisphere, including being voted onto numerous greatest course lists. Chris Cochran, a Nicklaus Design architect of over 30 years, discusses the strategy of how Nicklaus Design created this amazing golf experience.
Nicklaus Brands Around the Globe
Sold Out!
The Nicklaus-branded real estate at Creighton Farms in Northern Virginia has sold out the homesites in the Nicklaus South Village. The Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course at Creighton Farms has been recognized as one of the finest on the eastern seaboard and has been hailed as “Best New Private Course” by the likes of GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest and Golfweek.
Incorporated into the course design are appealing water features and a small but richly foliaged creek. The course has received Audubon International certification for maintaining the highest degree of environmental quality and preservation. The layout challenges members with its variety, focusing on strategic thinking and precision rather than power. Creighton Farms has hosted the Senior PGA Professional National Championship and the Virginia State Amateur. Creighton Farms also hosts The Creighton Farms Invitational which continues to reach new heights by raising over one million dollars, for the third year in a row, for the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
Jack Nicklaus Brand Reaches 25 years in the Philippines
Rustan’s Department Store, considered the Philippines’ most prestigious retailer, recently extended its long-term relationship with the Nicklaus Companies through 2024 when the brand will celebrate its Silver Anniversary in the country. Rustan’s dominates the market and carries licenses with over 40 global brands for fashion, fragrances, cosmetics, personal care, and luggage to home and lifestyle. The Jack Nicklaus men’s and women’s collections are featured in designated shop-in-shop concepts in the premier Rustan’s Department Stores and online.
Specialty Embroidery Company to Showcase the Golden Bear
Nicklaus Companies and Smathers & Branson—the greatest name in golf and the leading manufacturer of custom needlepoint accessories—have signed a licensing agreement for a collection of Jack Nicklaus branded lifestyle products. The collection showcases the iconic Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear logoed trademarks and will be available in green-grass shops, resorts, and specialty stores across the country.
Lights, Camera, Action!
The fashion world runs a few seasons ahead of the rest of us. The talented team of designers, models and photographers recently wrapped up the shoot for the Fall 2020 Nicklaus Apparel collection by Perry Ellis. For a behind-the-scenes slide show, visit our social media channels.
Holiday Gifting
Jolly Jack (St.) Nicklaus is making a list and checking it twice…and you should, too. Check out his favorite holiday gift-giving items from Nicklaus Companies and their amazing partners!
Jack Nicklaus Apparel– Amazon
Worthy of the name of golf’s greatest champion, Jack Nicklaus® Apparel offers a lifestyle collection featuring both contemporary styling and casual appeal. Golfers will enjoy performance-driven features such as unique fabric construction and material treatments, along with a stretch-fit design that both cares easily and wears elegantly. Made by our partners at Perry Ellis International, the collection includes shirts, sweaters, pants, and shorts.
AHEAD– Purchase here
Truly the tops in their field, AHEAD offers a wide variety of special headwear for the golfer this holiday season. The Jack Nicklaus Majors Collection is the perfect fit on and off the course, with a choice of four caps created in tribute to the game’s most decorated champion and the owner of a record 18 professional major championships. AHEAD also created the special PLAY YELLOW cap that supports Jack and Barbara’s efforts to impact children’s health care and raise money for children’s hospitals.
Stance– Purchase here
Stance, the fast-growing global basics brand built on creative and technical innovation, has collaborated with the Nicklaus Companies to introduce a fashion-forward collection of golf socks inspired by Jack’s record 18 major championships. The specially designed socks will make great stocking stuffers this holiday season.
Smathers and Branson– Purchase here
New to the market this month, the Jack Nicklaus Collection by Smathers & Branson is comprised of fun and elegant lifestyle products perfect for the home, golf course, man cave, and even your keychain. The Nicklaus Collection debuts with belts, bar ware, coasters, and key fobs, all proudly carrying the Jack Nicklaus trademark and iconic Golden Bear logo.
Nicklaus Golf Balls– Purchase here
Every golfer can use an extra sleeve or two to start the New Year. Nicklaus Golf Balls are designed for each skill level or tee box and outperform other top-of-the-line golf balls. Each ball incorporates cutting-edge multi-layer technology to achieve the optimal compression for the level of player it is designed for.
Nicklaus Golf Calendar– Purchase here
The 40th-anniversary edition of the Nicklaus Golf Calendar features 13 months of photos of prominent Jack Nicklaus Signature, Jack Nicklaus II, and Nicklaus Design golf courses in Denmark, Bahamas, Portugal, Mexico, China, and the United States. Each month also comes with a golf tip from Jack Nicklaus himself, a fundamental proven by the game’s greatest player and sure to help golfers of all skill levels.
