"I keep saying that most people work their entire life to retire to play , But I played golf my entire life to retire to work"

Jack NICKLAUS

Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus may have retired “I don’t play golf anymore; this is what “Design allows me to stay connected to golf and “One area I am particularly excited about that from the limelight of tournament golf, but he I do,” Nicklaus said. “I love to compete, to give back to the game that has given me we have never really been able to work in continues to leave his mark on links around the and golf was always my vehicle to com- and my family so much. I have always believed before because we couldn’t grow grass is the world, designing remarkable golf courses in petition. Now I have the opportunity to course design could be my lasting legacy, but Caribbean and the Bahamas,” Nicklaus said. some of the world’s most desirable destinations. approach design with that helping lay a foundation for golf in another “But with the introduction of Paspalum − a grass same competitive passion. It’s me against corner of the world is very gratifying.” that is salt-water tolerant and can be irrigated “I have been with Jack for over 20 years, and a raw piece of ground, or in some ways, with salt water − we have golf courses all over during that time, I have seen him exhaust many me against me or my own creativity.” Just as Nicklaus wanted to be a part of the new the Caribbean and the Bahamas.” men half his age,” said Tim Kenny, Executive South Africa when Apartheid was abolished, he Vice President of Nicklaus Design. “He seems Jack Nicklaus is, without equal, the har- is finding himself a part of the surging growth The latter two reflect another area of Jack’s to have boundless energy, especially when it dest-working man in the business, and as of tourism in areas of Eastern Europe or Central burgeoning business. The Nicklaus Companies comes to golf course design. It is as if design the game’s popularity continues to soar America. After going 35 years without having has recently created an exclusive access and re- not only motivates him but energizes him.” worldwide Jack is on the first tee of this a course in South America on his résumé, the ciprocity program for a limited number of elite growth, designing courses in emerging Golden Bear now has one design open in Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses located in In July 2005, as Nicklaus stood atop the Swilcan markets all over the globe. Argentina, with several more under develop- ideal markets around the world. Never before Burn Bridge on the Old Course at St. Andrews, ment there, as well as in Chile and Brazil. has a club been branded with the Jack Nicklaus Scotland, following his final British Open and last Already with over 310 courses open for name, and as part of this unique license, each major championship appearance, he allowed the play in 29 countries, Nicklaus Design “I love these opportunities to cross new borders, Club will be able to leverage this exclusive full array of the moment’s emotions to wash over again started 2007 as the world leader in meet new people and enjoy new sights and advantage in marketing its real estate, golf him. While the Golden Bear was waving goodbye to golf course design with projects under de- sounds − especially if the sound is a running memberships and resort amenities. competitive golf, he was hardly waving goodbye to velopment in 37 different countries − 23 river and the sight is a fly whipping at the end the sport. In many ways, golf’s greatest player was of which he had never worked in before. of a fishing line,” he said. Those who know Jack best say he is tireless in merely crossing a bridge into the next phase of his his pursuit of perfect places. life − a chapter in his life that might be the busiest. “And I am having a blast!” he said. “I If there is a passion that makes the roll call with love going into these new countries and family and design, it’s fly fishing. Jack calls himself Jack creates, with these attributes, a comfort Decades of spending one week in a town at introducing golf. We are probably close about a 3-, although anyone who has level for everyone involved in his projects, from a tournament have been replaced by weeks to 70 percent international now. We are waded the same stream with him would tell you owner to developer to lending institution to of non-stop travel, where Nicklaus might hit introducing the game and introducing it he’s scratch. Not only does he love the outdoors, consumer. four or five cities or even several countries in a to people by designing a quality facility but the artistry and challenge of fly fishing is a big matter of days. In 2006, Nicklaus logged more that they can learn to play golf on. I part of the mix. That’s one reason if you want to “I have observed, first hand, a level of dedica- than 550 hours on his Gulfstream V − by far really get a big kick out of that. I love see those steely blue eyes light up, start talking tion, commitment, concentration, vision and the most Air Bear has ever flown. being part of that”. about the brilliant blue waters of the Caribbean. passion which is extraordinary”

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Jack and his wife have poured their time and • Jack Nicklaus has 264 courses open for play worldwide. hearts into growing the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. On the golf side, Jack • Nicklaus Design, as a company, has 328 courses open for play. continues to give of his time to grow the game through programs like The First Tee. Last June, Nicklaus stood before Congress to speak on • Nicklaus Design opened 17 courses in 2007, and expects to open 22 in 2008. the character-building values of programs like The First Tee. Seven months earlier and a few • Nicklaus Design has opened 128 courses over the last eight years—an average o f blocks down the street, Nicklaus stood in the 16 courses a year—including a record 27 in 1999. White House, shaking President Bush’s hand, as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest • Nicklaus Design is represented in 32 countries and 38 states. honor given a U.S. civilian, hung from his neck. • Nicklaus Design has 55 courses under construction, and has projects signed, under design or It’s no wonder one magazine has for three under development in 45 different countries. years in a row named Jack Nicklaus the “Most Powerful Person in Golf.” It appears Nicklaus • At least 60 Nicklaus Design courses have been ranked in various national and international wears retirement well. Top-100 lists (Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, and Golfweek).

“Jack’s dedication is one of the things that initially • Entering 2008, 84 Nicklaus courses will have hosted 588 professional tournaments or drew me to him,” says IMI partner Mike Collins, national amateur championships. a close friend of Nicklaus. “I think everyone un- derstands that his ability sets him apart, but the Recently the Champions Tour added the Cap Cana Championship at Punta Espada Golf Club, thing casual observers may not know is that he approaches everything with a level of vigilance Dominican Republic. Also in 2008, the Ryder Cup is to be held at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. that is as admirable as it is rare. That’s a big part The PGA, European and Nationwide Tours hosted in 2007 tournaments at Sherwood Country of what makes him so remarkable. Simply put, Club (California), Pearl Valley Golf Estates (South Africa), and The Australian Golf Club (Australia). Jack is a guy you want to be around.” The Champions Tour added in 2006 the Vista Vallarta Golf Club in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

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