Carr brings 30 years of experience, along with a 57-year connection with the Nicklaus family
Roddy Carr has been named a Senior International Representative for Nicklaus Design, the world’s leading golf course design firm. Carr, the son of the fine amateur golfer, the late Joe Carr, brings 30 years of experience in global golf and event management, development, and tourism to make him ideally suited to work with developers, resorts and golf clubs who want a Nicklaus Design golf course as their centerpiece amenity.
The connection between the Nicklaus and Carr families extends 57 years to when Jack Nicklaus met Joe Carr at Muirfield in Scotland, in the Walker Cup. It was Nicklaus’ first Walker Cup and among the record 11 Walker Cup appearances for Carr. The friendship blossomed in 1961 when the two reconnected at the Walker Cup in Seattle and again at the 1961 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, where the two squared off in the semifinals. That was the backdrop for the Golden Bear’s second U.S. Amateur title and his lifetime love of Pebble Beach. It was also the beginning of a true friendship between Carr and Nicklaus that lasted until Joe Carr’s passing on this day in 2004 at the age of 82.
The Golden Bear was among the many who paid tribute to Joe Carr-a three-time British Amateur champion, a winner of six Irish Amateur titles, the first Irishman to play in the Masters, and a Captain of The R&A-when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007.
Roddy Carr, like his father, is a talented amateur golfer who also played in the 1971 Walker Cup. This was followed by 10 years on the European Tour as a professional. He has carried on his father’s cherished friendship with the Nicklaus family as well as the Carr family’s passion for the game of golf.
“Of all the people I have been fortunate to work with in golf over the years, Jack Nicklaus is the best,” Roddy Carr said. “His word is his bond. He has an unmistakable love and passion for designing courses, and, without question, his talents as a course designer for parts of six decades parallel his incredible legacy as golf’s greatest champion. I look forward to working with him and his team to further enhance Nicklaus Design’s presence around the world.”
Roddy Carr’s résumé within the game of golf is as impressive as it is diverse. He managed Seve Ballesteros, promoted 30 European Tour events in Spain, and he has been involved in golf developments on three continents. With his experience in many regions, Carr will focus his efforts in Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa, as well as the Caribbean.
“Joe was a great friend of mine, and I have been fortunate to know Roddy since 1986, when he brought me to Ireland for the first time for a match against Seve Ballesteros,” Nicklaus said. “The trip led to the opportunity for me to design the golf course at Mount Juliet (Kilkenny, Ireland), where eventually his father served as President.
“In Roddy, I see a lot of the wonderful character traits I enjoyed in his father. Golf, especially design and development, is very much a relationship business, and Roddy’s personality, along with his knowledge and love of the game, has served him well for decades. He brings to Nicklaus Design tremendous experience in so many aspects key to introducing and growing the game in international markets, and I am delighted Roddy will be working with us again to help further develop our business.”
Considered the top design firm in the world, Nicklaus Design has 400 golf courses open for play in 42 countries and 39 states. Golf Digest recognized 45 Nicklaus Design layouts in its 2016 list of the Best Courses in 206 countries. Golf Digest also named four Nicklaus Design golf courses to its 2016 World’s 100 Greatest list, including Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, the site of this week’s Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Muirfield Village Golf Club is also among the more than 140 Nicklaus Design courses worldwide that have combined to host more than 900 professional tournaments or significant amateur championships. Nicklaus Design currently has more than 50 projects under development in 22 countries.
Contact:
Scott Tolley
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications & Business Development
Nicklaus Companies
11780 U.S. Highway #1, Suite 500
North Palm Beach, FL. 33408
Phone: 561-227-0300
Fax: 561-227-0351
Email: scott.tolley@nicklaus.com
