Attached photo caption: Paul Stringer, President Nicklaus Design (far left), BallenIsles’ Board Members: Ben Kovalsky, Bob Snider, David Berkowitz, David Frank, Linda Greenhouse, Alan Brown (not pictured Jerry Brown and Carl Ekstein)
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. began construction this past Monday on a multi-million dollar renovation project involving the club’s famed East Course and golf practice facility. The milestone was celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, April 4th featuring representatives from the BallenIsles Board of Directors, Nicklaus Design, the project’s strategic design partner, along with Troon, Total Golf and professionals responsible for making the project a reality.
Course renovations will focus on modernization of the East Course’s design, including bunkering, greens complexes and strategy, a complete re-grassing of the course and improvements to playing options for members and tournament players alike. The Nicklaus Design team, led by Senior Designers Chris Cochran and Chad Goetz, will also add length to the current 7,189-yard, par 72 layout. All renovation work is expected to be completed by December 2022.
In addition to the East Course renovations, the BallenIsles practice facilities are also being reimagined with new teeing grounds, target areas and practice greens. The new design incorporates modern-day practice areas and targets to enable members to practice the wide variety of golf shots demanded on BallenIsles’ three championship courses. New short game practice areas, a pitch-and-putt course and a putting course are also part of the new practice facility. A new 3,500 sq. ft. Learning Center will include state-of-the-art technology and serve as an entry into golf, welcoming first-time players and professionals alike.
“It is exciting to begin work on this project, when just a year ago we were here celebrating the 50-year anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ 71’ PGA victory and announcing our design partnership with Nicklaus Design. Little did we know then that we would be returning here, just a year later, to begin work,” said BallenIsles Country Club General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Walls. “This is an important project for the Club, as we continue to evolve the offerings to our membership and reestablish the East to its former glory, recognition and a great test of golf for all players.”
The renovation of the East Course follows the construction of a $1.3 million pickleball complex in 2021; the 2020 redesign of BallenIsles’ South Course by famed golf course architect Rees Jones; and a 2018 $35 million dollar clubhouse renovation. The Club is now planning for a $15 million enhancement of its pool, sports complex and racquet sports center set to being in 2023.
For more information on BallenIsles Country Club, visit www.BallenIsles.org.
About BallenIsles Country Club
In 1963 legendary Florida developer John D. MacArthur and the PGA of America teamed up with golf course architects Dick Wilson and Joe Lee to design a championship-caliber golf facility. Over the next ten years, BallenIsles, then called PGA National Golf Club, hosted numerous major tournaments like the PGA Championship and PGA Seniors Championship and was home for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The Club was also the host site for the original PGA TOUR Qualifying School and held the inaugural PGA Merchandise Show. When the MacArthur/PGA of America agreement expired in 1973, the Club was renamed the JDM Country Club for John D. MacArthur. For the next 15 years, the prestigious local country club hosted many celebrities and professional golfers and staged many events on the three golf courses on the property. In 1988, the three golf courses and surrounding property were sold by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and renamed BallenIsles Country Club. A multi-year and multimillion dollar plan to develop a private country club community was unveiled. Since the early 2000’s, BallenIsles Country Club has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 100 Clubs in America.
A $35 million clubhouse renovation was completed in November 2018, featuring 115,000 square feet of luxurious space; three championship courses with 54 holes of golf; a world-class 21-court tennis and 9-court pickleball complex; and a state-of-the-art Sports Complex with a full-service Cosmo & Company salon and spa, fitness center, Pilates & spin studios and resort-style swimming pool. For more information visit www.BallenIsles.org
About Nicklaus Companies
For 50 years, the mission of Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience and to deliver quality branded products and services on a global basis that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of its Founder, Jack Nicklaus. The Nicklaus Companies businesses include golf-course design, the development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of lifestyle products worldwide under the iconic Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear brands. Nicklaus Design, recognized as the world leader in golf course design, has created over 425 courses worldwide, open for play in 45 countries and 40 U.S. states. In 2007, Jack Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein to further the growth of the company and expand the branded businesses. In addition to institutionalizing the Nicklaus brands for the future, Milstein has instilled a personal philosophy of “A Brand That Gives Back,” with products and partners committing to donations to help the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and other charities. A leading entrepreneur in the golf industry, Milstein also created 8AM Golf, a family of companies that also includes GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, Miura Golf, Club Conex, True Spec Golf and GolfLogix. All share a common mission to help players at all levels enjoy the game more.
Media Contacts:
Becky Collison
BallenIsles Country Club
Director of Marketing & Communication
561.249.5818
bcollison@ballenisles.org
Tommy Hearden
Nicklaus Design
Business Development Manager
561.227.0332
