Premier WaterColor Resort Golf Collection to Host U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur Qualifiers
(WATERSOUND, Fla.) – Camp Creek and Shark’s Tooth Golf Clubs — award-winning Tom Fazio and Greg Norman designs located along Northwest Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast – have been selected by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and the Florida State Golf Association (“FSGA”) to host qualifiers for the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur in 2009.
On May 13, 2009, Camp Creek will welcome competitors to a U.S. Open local qualifier while Shark’s Tooth will host a U.S. Amateur sectional qualifier on August 10-11. The courses share a history of staging USGA events: Camp Creek hosted a U.S. Open qualifier in 2007 and U.S. Amateur qualifiers in 2006 and 2008, when Drew Kittleson earned a spot in the national field en route to the final at Pinehurst Resort. Shark’s Tooth was the site of U.S. Open qualifiers from 2003-06 and again in 2008.
Additionally, Shark’s Tooth will host a local qualifier for the Florida Open on June 30, 2009. Conducted by the FSGA and state PGA sections, the Florida Open dates to 1942 and has produced champions including Bob Murphy, John Huston and Bart Bryant. It is open to amateurs and professionals.
“We are honored to continue our longtime partnership with the USGA and FSGA,” says Will Hopkins, Camp Creek General Manager. “Camp Creek has proven that it is more than just a warm-up for the U.S. Open, it is a crash course in the skills and shots required to win one.”
“Being selected to host USGA and FSGA events is a source of great pride for our club,” says John Johnson, Shark’s Tooth General Manager. “Shark’s Tooth has earned a reputation as a superior test in all aspects of the game, and we look forward to great competition in next year’s championship qualifiers.”
Camp Creek and Shark’s Tooth are part of the WaterColor Resort’s premier golf collection, which also includes The Origins Course at WaterSound, designed by Davis Love III. Camp Creek and Shark’s Tooth are private courses available to guests of the WaterColor Resort’s 60-room boutique inn on the Gulf of Mexico, and its luxury vacation rental homes. The Origins Course – designed specifically for beginners and families – is open to the public and juniors 15 years old and under play free when accompanied by a paying adult. Together, the three courses form one of the only assemblies of Fazio, Norman and Love III-designed courses under one flagship.
The U.S. Open, the second-oldest USGA championship by a single day, is the jewel of USGA competitions. The event has evolved into one of the most prestigious championships played with many of the game’s greatest players having captured this coveted title. The event is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap index of 1.4 or lower. The Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs. The 2009 edition will be contested at in the shadow of New York City at Bethpage State Park’s famous Black Course, June 15-21.
The USGA’s oldest championship, the U.S. Amateur was first played in 1895 at Newport Golf Club in Rhode Island. It is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA. Only non-professional golfers with a USGA Handicap Index of 2.4 or below are eligible to enter any of the U.S Amateur qualifiers. Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., will host the 2009 championship, August 24-30.
Websites and Contact Information
USGA, www.usga.org
Camp Creek, www.campcreekgolfclub.com, 850.231.7601
Shark’s Tooth, www.sharkstoothgolfclub.com, 850.249.3015
WaterColor Resort, www.watercolorresort.com, 850.534.5000
About Camp Creek
Since opening in 2001, Camp Creek has been consistently cited as one of Tom Fazio’s most thought-provoking, aesthetically-stunning design credits. Featuring a unique “dunescape” appearance, the course was created as a private club for members who are owners of St. Joe selected communities and resort guests of St. Joe’s WaterColor and WaterSound Beach resorts. From the back green tees, the course plays to a championship caliber yardage of 7,159 and a formidable slope rating of 152 (one of the highest in the state). Camp Creek’s five-tee configuration, which also includes gold (senior) and red (women’s) tees, accommodates players of all skill and experience levels. Travel + Leisure Golf recognized Camp Creek as “Florida’s No. 1 Course of the New Millennium.” It has also been recognized for its environmental stewardship through designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS). Superintendent Larry Livingston was similarly distinguished as a certified Audubon Steward. Camp Creek is operated by Troon Golf, the leader in upscale golf course-management.
About Shark’s Tooth
Designed by Greg Norman and voted the second best new private course by Golf Digest upon opening in 2002, Shark’s Tooth Golf Club was recently purchased by The St. Joe Company to bolster its high-end, golf course holdings. The course stretches to 7,204 yards from the back tees and features five fairways that border scenicLake Powell, two holes that play toward the water and numerous wooden cart path bridges that cross over streams and estuaries. Tucked among the oaks and pines along the shores of the historic lake, which has been designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway, Shark’s Tooth is a challenging course that co-exists with its surroundings. Grass from the Greg Norman Turf Company was used on the fairways, approaches and rough. The course is a Silver Signature Sanctuary Course as accredited by the Audubon Signature Program and is operated by Troon Golf, the leader in upscale golf course-management.
About JOE
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE), a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida’s largest real estate development companies. We are primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber. JOE’s mission is to create places that inspire people and make the region an even better place to live, work and play. We’re no ordinary JOE.
More information about JOE can be found at our website at www.joe.com.
© 2008 The St. Joe Company. “Camp Creek,” “JOE,” “St. Joe”, “WaterColor,” “Shark’s Tooth,” “WaterSound” and the “Taking Flight” design are service marks of The St. Joe Company.
About Troon Golf
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf is the world’s largest golf management company, overseeing operations at more than 200 courses located in 31 states and 31 countries. Additionally, 36 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include Oneida Golf and Country Club, Green Bay, Wis.; Talking Stick Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.; The Clubs at St. James Plantation,Southport, N.C.; Classic Club, Palm Desert, Calif.; Playa Mujeres Golf Club, Cancun, Mexico; and The Grove,London, England. For more information about Troon Golf, visit www.troongolf.com.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
www.billycaspergolf.com
