Jim Nantz and his former college teammate have united to make their dreams come true.
Mark Haugejorde is the chairman of Tepetonka, a 228-acre, private golf destination located two hours west of the Twin Cities, which is set to break ground later this year. Having already signed the design firm of OCM Golf – consisting of PGA Tour pro Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Cocking and Ashley Meade – to its first original U.S. design, Haugejorde announced on Tuesday that esteemed CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz will serve as a design consultant on the creation of The Prox, the club’s short course.
“I’ve always had this dream if I wasn’t a broadcaster, I think the most fun thing to be a part of is to shape the Earth and be in golf course architecture,” Nantz said during “The Five Clubs” podcast with host Gary Williams, course architect Gil Hanse and ESPN college basketball analyst and avid golfer Jay Bilas on March 1.
Haugejorde happened to be listening to the podcast one day in his office as his old teammate from their days playing on the golf team at the University of Houston shared his dream to leave his mark on the Earth and Nantz’s words stopped him in his track.
“What did he just say?” Haugejorde recalled. “It hit me right away. Jim was always going to be involved as a founding member, but I had this idea that he could have an even bigger role.”
Jim Nantz, center, poses with Mike Schultz, left, and Mark Haugejorde of Tepetonka Club at Oak Hill during the 2023 PGA Championship. (Adam Schupak/Golfweek)
Nantz’s previous design work is limited to the replica hole of the iconic par-3 seventh hole at Pebble Beach that he designed in his backyard not far from the real thing.
“I’m not trying to compare that with something as important as what the OCM guys are going to do but I’ve really truly dreamt of this,” Nantz told Golfweek. “I can’t wait to put on the mud boots and go out and talk it through with these guys. I know my role here, the OCM team, they’re geniuses. I can’t wait to just to learn from them and get to throw in one little suggestion – ‘Move this over here.’”
“Having had the opportunity to spend some time with Jim recently, it became apparent that he has a keen interest in golf course design and specifically in short courses,” said OCM’s Cocking. “The Prox will be integrated into Tepetonka’s practice facility, and we’re looking forward to working with Jim on the design. His input and experience…
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