Renowned Master Planner Gil Martinez and Golf Legend Arnold Palmer Collaborate for another Exclusive Golf Community Design; Developer Dan Palmer Anticipates Replicating Success of the Desert’s Tradition Golf Club in Verdant Hasley Canyon
LOS ANGELES, CA (March 13, 2006) ~ Neither grey skies nor intermittent showers could dampen the spirits of the VIP crowd gathered atop a grassy plateau to listen to Arnold Palmer describe his enthusiasm for his first Signature course in greater Los Angeles, Los Valles Golf Club. ‘The beauty of this place is so spectacular, and the development team is so experienced, that it provides an added thrill to our entire design company to be a part of Los Valles,’ he stated. Key to that team was renowned master planner Gil Martinez, who was contacted over eight years earlier by developer Dan S. Palmer, to assist with his vision of a private, amenity-rich enclave tucked into the naturally lush hills of Hasley Canyon. Palmer correctly identified Martinez, President of GMA of Newport Beach, as the most experienced planner in the US likely suited to understand, create and articulate his dreams for this unique but politically-challenging endeavor. It was not lost on Palmer that Martinez was one of the few planners with a platinum portfolio whose work also represents an unblemished record for entitlement – and at the Hasley Canyon venture, this input would be critical.
It turns out that he got much more than he bargained for: through Martinez, subsequent introductions were provided to another GMA client, David Chapman, for whom GMA had master planned the Tradition in La Quinta almost a decade earlier. In fact, the Martinez’s concept was to assist Dan Palmer with his first luxury residential golf community by replicating the success at Tradition, widely acknowledged as one of the premier private developments in the country. Tucked at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, it is also the part-time residence of golf legend and La Quinta ambassador, Arnold Palmer. Introductions quickly followed to Bill Kubly, whose Landscapes Unlimited built Tradition; to Ken Alperstein, of Pinnacle Design, landscape architect; and of course, to Arnold Palmer Course Design, with whom Martinez has worked for over thirty years. Coupled with his own development success, his considerable financial resources, political acumen and top-drawer consultants, Dan Palmer soon found himself the director of the ideal design and development team. [Martinez and Chapman are also teamed for the Tribute at Thornburgh, another high-end resort development in Oregon, not far from the widely acclaimed Pronghorn, also a GMA master planned resort golf community].
Martinez and GMA designers have created some of the world’s most dynamic environments, well-known communities where families are raised, jobs and recreation provided, as well as exotic resorts where romances and luxury are natural companions.. By his own accounting, Martinez and staff have routed over 300 golf courses throughout all corners of the world. His skills and experience in understanding the complexities of interpreting real estate with the game of golf, is such that he was asked to author the chapter on routing and real estate in the best-selling book, "Routing the Golf Course", by Forrest Richardson. Appropriately, his contribution is titled, "Real Estate: The Almighty God." This depth of experience and ever-fresh creativity, coupled with his quiet demeanor and commitment to being a team player, underscore why developers like Lyle Anderson, Dan Palmer, Ted Lennon and others seek his involvement, often before the land acquisition is completed.
About Los Valles
The 18-hole, par 71 Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, 6,700 yards designed over varied canyon and meadow terrain. Construction will begin later this spring and completion is set for March 2008. The course will also feature a practice green, driving range and clubhouse. The Club will offer private memberships and be open to public access. Planned for 209 homesites, custom lots range in price from $600k to over $1 million and lots vary from ½ acre to and acre plus. Los Valles is a family-centered development, defined by the majestic hillsides, a system of both equestrian and hiking trails, generous open space, neighborhood parks and a recreational complex that will feature tennis courts, high-end swim and athletic club and a children’s recreational area. Memberships will begin at $45,000. David Chapman will manage all real estate sales and golf course operations. Los Valles Company, Inc. is the developer.
www.LosVallesLife.com (also, see www.TraditionGolfClub.net)
About GMA
GMA is a true multi-disciplinary boutique design firm with over 30 years of creating some of the world’s most memorable places in diverse socio-cultural and natural environments: Mexico, Chile, Scotland, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Tahiti, French Polynesia, the Caribbean, the Philippines, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, Canada and throughout the continental US and Hawaii. Notable projects and client relationships include the Ritz Carlton at Laguna Niguel and the original Monarch Beach master plan (now home to the St. Regis); Superstition Mountain (The Lyle Anderson Co.), Tradition Golf Club, SilverRock Resort, El Tamarindo Golf Club and Resort, Arrowhead Ranch (The Hunt Brothers), Val Vista Lakes and The Lakes in Tempe, Estrella Mountain Ranch, Sunridge Canyon (MCO and SunCor), Firerock (MCO and Mobil Oil), Dove Canyon, Hassyampa (Desert Troon Co.), Sunriver Resort; Pronghorn, Copperwynd Resort & Spa, Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, Andromeda Theme Park and parts of Disney World, just to name a few. The firm is currently active throughout the US and heavily vested in waterfront golf and resort projects throughout Mexico and Central America.
Contact:
Carol Ackerman, President
The Ackerman Group
Carol@TheAckermanGroup.com
www.TheAckermanGroup.com
602-684.6800
