New course being built in Bahamas

As if Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods haven’t already shared enough sacred ground, now the two names will be forever linked in one of the prettiest places on the planet.

Nicklaus Design announced this week that the company’s first Nicklaus Heritage course will be located at Jack’s Bay in the Bahamas. The new championship layout is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $20 million to build and will sit on the thin island of Eleuthera, which is known for stunning white and pink sand beaches.

A short course already sits on the property, one designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Designs. “The Playgound” was completed in March 2020 and has holes ranging from 71 to 163 yards.

As for the new Nicklaus endeavor, it’s the first under a new moniker, one that, according to the company, will showcase “the senior designers from Nicklaus Design who have been personally trained by Jack Nicklaus over several decades. Nicklaus Heritage designs incorporate the design philosophies and values imparted to Nicklaus designers over their careers working with Jack on world-famous golf courses under Nicklaus Design’s Jack Nicklaus Signature brand.”

This project will be led by Chad Goetz, who has a portfolio of high-profile Spanish properties under his belt as well as redesigns or renovations projects at Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, and the Great Waters course at Lake Oconee, Georgia.

“It’s going to be spectacular,” Goetz said. “A number of holes stretch directly along on the ocean and even the land off the ocean has remarkable topography, featuring a rolling terrain of elevation changes, lakes, deep water ‘blue holes’ to the ocean, and caves. What Mother Nature has provided us is rare and we plan to preserve the natural integrity and enhance the beauty of the island.”

The project is expected to be completed in 2025. Here’s a look at the stunning property: