Nicklaus II, O’Brien and Stringer Tapped for Company Leadership Roles
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.(March 11, 2020)
At the recent Board meeting of the Company, Executive Chairman of the Nicklaus Companies, Howard Milstein, along with his partner Jack Nicklaus agreed it was time to recognize Jack II’s increased role in growing all aspects of the business and to continue his father’s legacy. Jack II, the oldest of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus’s five children and the father of five children himself, was promoted to Vice Chairman, Nicklaus Companies reporting to Milstein. Jack II has been responsible for the design of more than 35 golf courses worldwide including 16 co-designs with his legendary designing father, and another 10 currently under construction or development in the U.S., Vietnam, and Indonesia. Jack II is also furthering the legacy his father and family created in Columbus, Ohio, with the Memorial Tournament as General Chairman as well as Chairman of Muirfield Village Golf Club.
“Jack II is following in his father’s footsteps in so many ways and will be a terrific Vice Chairman of Nicklaus Companies,” said Milstein, friend and partner to Jack Nicklaus. “Jack II not only has a passion for designing golf courses around the world, but also is committed to the long-term success of the company and furthering the Nicklaus legacy.”
Nicklaus Companies CEO, John Reese, further expressed the opportunity to have both the Design and Marketing divisions promote their leaders to the role of President.
“We are building long-term plans for the company’s next 50 years and it is crucial to establish seasoned leadership,” commented Reese. “With over two-thirds of revenues sourced overseas we needed an organization that best responds to the many opportunities as we move forward.”
O’Brien has been named President of Nicklaus Brands, the fastest growing part of the company’s portfolio, responsible for significant revenue growth through brand licensing and marketing partnerships. An integral part of the Nicklaus team for three decades, O’Brien has been responsible for leading brand development for the company in a myriad of businesses worldwide that generate over $400 million in annual sales through branded consumer products and real estate. With a special passion for the Nicklaus’s foundation for children’s healthcare, O’Brien has fostered corporate giving programs among Nicklaus partners to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. Having previously worked on the PGA of America’s Public Relations team as well as serving as publicist for the Golden Bear himself, O’Brien also leads the company’s communications and media relations.
“I have had the remarkable good fortune to work for one of the greatest men in the history of sports and the greatest brand in the industry,” commented O’Brien, a 1988 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. “It is now exciting for me to help accomplish the company’s premier goal to institutionalize and grow the brand for future generations. My job is easy since I am surrounded by friends equally dedicated to expanding the lifestyle brand.”
Stringer has been named President of Nicklaus Design after 17 years with the company and more than 35 years in the golf industry. In addition to overseeing the operations of Nicklaus Design, Stringer will lead business development in the active international markets where Nicklaus continues to thrive and add new territories. Stringer will continue to pursue new opportunities for the design company as well as explore a larger role for Nicklaus, including turnkey project management and consulting on various aspects of the overall development. Prior to his role at Nicklaus Design, Stringer served as a leading business development executive with Troon Golf working in the company’s offices in Australia and Arizona. Stringer recently completed a contract for a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the 46th country with a Nicklaus Design golf course.
“The design business continues to expand in the international markets where we are well positioned to provide the very best in golf course design,” said Stringer. “To lead the industry, we need to be present in each region of the world to deliver the Nicklaus standard of quality and support to our clients. The talent we have on the Nicklaus Design team globally is simply without comparison. That is how Jack made it the acknowledged worldwide leader in golf course design. It is an honor to work with such an icon like Jack Nicklaus and the Nicklaus Design company.”
For additional information about Nicklaus Companies or Nicklaus Design, access the web site at www.nicklausdesign.com.
About Nicklaus Companies
For 50 years, the mission of Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience and to deliver quality branded products and services on a global basis that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of its Founder, Jack Nicklaus. The Nicklaus Companies businesses include golf-course design, the development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of lifestyle products worldwide under the iconic Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear brands. Nicklaus Design, recognized as the world leader in golf course design, has created over 420 courses worldwide, open for play in 45 countries and 40 U.S states. In 2007, Jack Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein to further the growth of the company and expand the branded businesses. In addition to institutionalizing the Nicklaus brands for the future, Milstein has instilled a personal philosophy of “A Brand That Gives Back” with products and partners committing to donations to help the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and other charities. A leading entrepreneur in the golf industry, Milstein also created 8AM Golf, a family of companies that also includes GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, Miura Golf, Club Conex, True Spec Golf and GolfLogix. All share a common mission to help players at all levels enjoy the game more. We leverage our winning heritage to achieve excellence, foster growth and champion social good. We activate modern strategies and techniques to enhance our customer’s lives and match the high standards set in the career and life of Jack Nicklaus.
About 8AM Golf
Nicklaus Design, GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com are part of the 8AM Golf family. 8AM Golf was created by golf entrepreneur and philanthropist Howard Milstein as the holding company that oversees his golf companies — all of which help golfers at every level enjoy the game more. In addition to GOLF, other 8AM Golf companies include legendary clubmaker Miura Golf; True Spec Golf, a brand-agnostic club-fitting company that has fit more than 30,000 golfers worldwide; GolfLogix, the most-downloaded GPS app in golf; and Club Conex, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of adjustable golf club adapter systems.
Media Contact:
Kristen Hunter
Hunter Public Relations
831/375-1747
