Renovated NPB course to open this month (PBP) 11-8-06The Palm Beach Post
Date:
LoO¢/
Accession # 3 zqs
Renovated -NJ-PB course to
this month
11'
CYDNEY SCOTT/Staff Photographer
Jack Nicklaus conducts interviews along the newly designed and soon -to -open North Palm Beach Country Club
Golf Course, which he designed. The renovation of the course, which runs along the Intracoastal waterway, cost
$4.8 million.
Designed by jack Nicklaus,
golf course improvements
cost $4.8 million.
By BILL DIPAOLO
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
NORTH PALM BEACH More
challenges for golfers of all levels
is the goal when the North Palm
Beach Country Club Golf Course
opens this month after $4.8 million
in renovations.
The bunkers are deeper, the
elevations are more varied, new
grass has been planted and routes
of several of the 18 holes have been
changed. Dozens of new oak and
palm trees line the fairways. More
water has been added, including a
small lake near the 10th hole, and
golfers will get a better view from
higher tee locations. Twelve of the
18 tees have been moved.
"Look over there, we made more
movement in the course," said Golf
Course Deputy Supervisor Kent
Turner, pointing to the rolling hills
on the 10th fairway. "The trend
in golf today is more challenging,
riendly courses. That's what Jack
Nicklaus designed."
The course, built in the 19208, is
one of only two municipal courses
to be designed by Nicklaus. The
other was opened about 20 years
ago in Breckenridge, Colo.
Originally 18 holes, the course
was expanded to 27 holes five years
ago to meet demand.
"Historically, this has been a
local course, and we want to keep
it that way," said Village Manager
Mark Bates. "We'll welcome golfers
from outside the area, but that is not
our primary goal."
Nicklaus, who has lived near
North Palm Beach since 1970, has
designed about 250 golf courses
throughout the world. when work
on the North Palm Beach project
began last April, he told village
officials he would design a course
that was "very user-friendly and
forgiving from the member and
senior tees, and an enjoyable golf
experience for women."
Before work began, the course
was a par 72 and 6,300 yards. The
new course is par 71, with 7,100
yards from the back tees. The in-
crease in hills, valleys and water
called "movement" in golf -design
lingo means the course will be
both a challenge to experienced
golfers and more interesting for
folks who just like to play for fun,
said Turner.
The last time the course was
renovated was in the 1980s. The
irrigation, grass and landscaping
have needed repair for years, said
Charles Cangianelli, the village
chief building official.
►dee GOLF COURSE, 12 ►