Kiwi Curated
The Golden Bear’s Golf Courses
by Darren DunneFor decades, Jack Nicklaus ruled the roost on the PGA Tour, amassing an unrivalled collection of 18 major championships. In retirement, “The Golden Bear“ has perhaps been even more prolific, parlaying his on-course career into a lucrative sideline as the world’s eminent golf course designer.
Nicklaus and his team have become the standard bearers of course design, using an area’s natural environment to craft courses that are both challenging and enjoyable. So successful has this venture been, that over 400 courses in 35 countries sport the Nicklaus moniker, ranging from Muirfield Village in his native Ohio, to courses in emerging golf markets across Asia.
Savvy hotels clued in to the benefits of adding a Nicklaus-designed course, and several of these are part of Kiwi Collection. Read on, as we take a look at The Golden Bear’s input into the luxury hotel world.
The Golden Bear’s Golf Courses
Set among the undulating woodland of Ireland’s countryside, Mount Juliet’s course has hosted the world’s top players since opening in 1991. Tiger Woods had lofty praise for the course, paying lip service to both the “perfect fairways” and “best greens” he’d seen in 2002. The 7,300-yard, par 72 course blends rolling fairways, a myriad of water hazards and contoured greens to present a formidable challenge. Conveniently, the spectacular Mount Juliet hotel provides the perfect 19th hole.
The Golden Bear’s Golf Courses
Orlando isn’t short of a golf course or two, but The Villas of Grand Cypress’ golf club distinguishes itself from the pack with 45 holes of Nicklaus-designed beauty. The course is broken into two halves—the 27-hole North/South/East Nines, and the 18-hole New Course. Both offer a distinctive experience, with the 27-hole Nines challenging accuracy rather than strength thanks to an array of natural obstacles. Meanwhile, the 18-hole New Course offers a Scottish-style links experience, sans blustery weather.
The Golden Bear’s Golf Courses
The Nicklaus Course at One&Only Palmilla was opened in 1992, marking the first Latin American outing for the company’s trademark design. It’s made up of 27 holes across three nines; Arroyo, Mountain and Ocean, with four lakes and deep shifts in elevation proving a formidable challenge for players. Just as its showered with Mexican sun, it regularly receives accolades, most recently earning a place among the “Bear’s Best,” a course built in Las Vegas that takes 18 holes from the company’s best designs to create a dream course.
The Golden Bear’s Golf Courses
Sin City’s golf scene may be burgeoning these days, but the South Shore Golf Club at The Westin Lake Las Vegas blazed a trail as the first Nicklaus-designed course in all of Nevada. This 7,000-yarder ascends beautifully from the shoreline of Lake Las Vegas to the desert hills, featuring a dramatic elevation change and spacious fairways along the way. Up to five tee boxes per hole help to accommodate all skill levels, while strategic bunker placement and water hazards will keep seasoned players on their toes.
The Golden Bear’s Golf Courses
White-sand beaches and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains form the backdrop to a scenic round at Punta Mita Pacifico Golf Course at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Like all other Nicklaus courses, Pacifico takes full advantage of its natural bounty with eight holes bordering the Pacific Ocean or Banderas Bay. Don’t be surprised to catch a glimpse of whales as they amble past on their seasonal migration. Hole 3B has even earned itself the nickname of “The Tail of the Whale,” and is the world’s only natural island green.
The Golden Bear’s Golf Courses
Like most of The Golden Bear’s creations, awards quickly followed the opening of Eden Roc at Cap Cana’s Nicklaus Course. Golfweek Magazine named it “Best in the Caribbean and Mexico,” and at first glance, it’s easy to see why. An intricate layout is accentuated with the presence of cliffs, beaches and waterfalls, while the signature par-3 13th hole requires a precision tee shot over the ocean.
Set among the undulating woodland of Ireland’s countryside, Mount Juliet’s course has hosted the world’s top players since opening in 1991. Tiger Woods had lofty praise for the course, paying lip service to both the “perfect fairways” and “best greens” he’d seen in 2002. The 7,300-yard, par 72 course blends rolling fairways, a myriad of water hazards and contoured greens to present a formidable challenge. Conveniently, the spectacular Mount Juliet hotel provides the perfect 19th hole.
Orlando isn’t short of a golf course or two, but The Villas of Grand Cypress’ golf club distinguishes itself from the pack with 45 holes of Nicklaus-designed beauty. The course is broken into two halves—the 27-hole North/South/East Nines, and the 18-hole New Course. Both offer a distinctive experience, with the 27-hole Nines challenging accuracy rather than strength thanks to an array of natural obstacles. Meanwhile, the 18-hole New Course offers a Scottish-style links experience, sans blustery weather.
The Nicklaus Course at One&Only Palmilla was opened in 1992, marking the first Latin American outing for the company’s trademark design. It’s made up of 27 holes across three nines; Arroyo, Mountain and Ocean, with four lakes and deep shifts in elevation proving a formidable challenge for players. Just as its showered with Mexican sun, it regularly receives accolades, most recently earning a place among the “Bear’s Best,” a course built in Las Vegas that takes 18 holes from the company’s best designs to create a dream course.
Sin City’s golf scene may be burgeoning these days, but the South Shore Golf Club at The Westin Lake Las Vegas blazed a trail as the first Nicklaus-designed course in all of Nevada. This 7,000-yarder ascends beautifully from the shoreline of Lake Las Vegas to the desert hills, featuring a dramatic elevation change and spacious fairways along the way. Up to five tee boxes per hole help to accommodate all skill levels, while strategic bunker placement and water hazards will keep seasoned players on their toes.
White-sand beaches and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains form the backdrop to a scenic round at Punta Mita Pacifico Golf Course at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Like all other Nicklaus courses, Pacifico takes full advantage of its natural bounty with eight holes bordering the Pacific Ocean or Banderas Bay. Don’t be surprised to catch a glimpse of whales as they amble past on their seasonal migration. Hole 3B has even earned itself the nickname of “The Tail of the Whale,” and is the world’s only natural island green.
Like most of The Golden Bear’s creations, awards quickly followed the opening of Eden Roc at Cap Cana’s Nicklaus Course. Golfweek Magazine named it “Best in the Caribbean and Mexico,” and at first glance, it’s easy to see why. An intricate layout is accentuated with the presence of cliffs, beaches and waterfalls, while the signature par-3 13th hole requires a precision tee shot over the ocean.