Jack’s youngest arrives in Downingtown to cut ribbon on Philadelphia’s only Nicklaus Design and area’s premier multi-club membership
DOWNINGTOWN, PA (May 23, 2011) – As the youngest son of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, Mike Nicklaus brings a unique outlook to the golf course design table. His educational background in civil engineering, coupled with his father’s teachings and the influence of his three older brothers, have more than prepared him for the challenges of design. To Mike – who was in Downingtown on Monday to help cut the ribbon at Applecross Country Club and play the golf course with a few members – design is more than just “family business.” It is a fascination that has been a significant part of his life.
“Being the youngest has its advantages,” said Mike, who has been involved with design projects from North Carolina to Southern Spain to Japan. “I have been able to take what my dad and brothers have taught me about their individual design styles and blend them with my own. They’ve shared their philosophies and strategies for taking undeveloped land and creating works of art that are not only enjoyable to play, but are aesthetically pleasing. This is a challenge that I have embraced. I hope people will see that manifested at Applecross.”
A residential golf community featuring a broad array of first-class club amenities, Applecross Country Club is located less than 40 minutes from Philadelphia in Downingtown and now represents the Philly area’s first Nicklaus Design golf course. The golf course at Applecross weaves through the Chester County countryside providing a unique-to-the-area experience for golfers, blending magnificently into landscape that boasts breathtaking views of sparkling lakes and rolling countryside. Wetlands and water features grace the surroundings of 14 of the holes. The golf course features four sets of tees and plays to a par of 72 at anywhere from 5,212 yards (red) to 7,028 yards (black).
In addition to the golf course, Applecross features a wide array of club amenities including an all-season Recreation Center with an Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool, a kids’ “splash zone,” Jacuzzi and tennis courts. There is also a 10,000-square-foot Sports Pavilion outfitted with state-of-the-art cardio and weight-training equipment, areas for personal training and specialized exercise, and wellness classes such as yoga, Pilates and aerobics. Member dining is available at the clubhouse and garden pavilion overlooking the 18th hole. A wide array of social and golf events are offered year round to the club’s diverse membership.
The residential community features seven neighborhoods and more than 1,000 houses ranging from town homes to estate homes and active adult living villas designed by Pulte Homes. The entire process is slated to be completed by 2017.
The Nicklaus arrival at Applecross also kicked off an inviting Multi-Club Membership program now available offering championship golf by Nicklaus, Palmer and Jones. For the Chester County and Montgomery County area, this is a totally unique private club concept. At just 45 minutes apart, members enjoy two unrivaled club and golf experiences under one membership at a level of value and variety that is unmatched.
Along with Applecross Country Club (www.ApplecrossCC.com), Talamore Country Club was recently named Course-of-the-Year for the Pennsylvania East Chapter of the National Golf Course Owner’s Association (NGCOA). In addition, Applecross members have access to the 36-hole Talamore Golf Resort in Pinehurst, N.C., featuring the Talamore Resort Course by Rees Jones and the Mid South Club by Arnold Palmer.
An accomplished golfer and businessman in his own right, Mike Nicklaus earned a golf scholarship to play at Georgia Tech. After earning a degree in civil engineering, he immediately turned professional, and competed in a number of developmental tour events, including tournaments on the Golden Bear Tour and South Florida Tour. In recent years, he regained his amateur status and began to focus more on his business interests.
In 2003, Mike obtained his real-estate license, and helped launch family-owned Golden Bear Realty in North Palm Beach, Fla. He is currently managing partner of Golden Bear Realty and his vision is to expand the firm with national and perhaps international opportunities. A dedicated family man, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Traci, and children Michael, Vance, Frances “Frankie” and John Gray.
The name Nicklaus has long been associated with greatness on the golf course. The 18 professional major championships, the electrifying finishes, the sheer will to win; Jack’s achievements are legendary. Yet the name Nicklaus transcends Jack Nicklaus’ dominance as a player and extends far beyond the man. Today, Nicklaus also stands for superior golf course design, a result of Jack’s more than four decades as a renowned golf course designer.
Nicklaus courses blanket the globe. Nicklaus Design features a team of the world’s most accomplished golf course design associates, agronomists, industry consultants, and experts in golf course construction and marketing. Just as Jack once raised golf to a higher level, Nicklaus Design has elevated the standards of golf course design. The result of that dedication and ingenuity is a firm recognized the world over as the industry leader, with a resume of 350-plus spectacular courses in more than 34 countries and nearly 40 states.
Yet as unique as each design is, they all share Nicklaus Design’s philosophy of working closely with clients, enhancing the natural environment and creating courses that are both challenging and enjoyable for players of all levels.
At least 63 Nicklaus Design courses have been ranked by major industry publications such as Golf Digest, Golfweek and GOLF Magazine, in various national or international Top-100 lists – and no fewer than 88 Nicklaus Design courses have hosted a combined total of over 600 professional golf tournaments worldwide or significant national amateur championships including events on the PGA Tour, the Champions Tour, the LPGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour, among others.
Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus Design also have been credited for elevating and enhancing the relationship between golf and luxury home communities. Since independent research began in the early 1990s, communities that feature a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course as an amenity have resulted in the highest real estate value, the highest average home price and the greatest velocity of home and lot sales. The survey also included the impact on membership fees, annual dues and greens fees. When all data was combined, a “net present value” was determined for each golf course designer and Jack Nicklaus was the overall and overwhelming No. 1 choice.
As members at Applecross Country Club have learned, with the name Nicklaus behind a golf course, its value is enhanced tremendously. And that value will only grow with time.
Contact:
Martin Armes
919-608-7260
martinarmes@nc.rr.com
Brad King
336-306-9219
king@bradkingcommunications.com
