Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) and South Ocean Development Company have entered into an agreement for Greg Norman to redesign and rebuild the South Ocean Golf and Beach Resort course.
Reconstruction of the original Joe Lee design is well under way, and Norman is spearheading every aspect of the project from concept and design to construction and project management, the golf course design group said in a statement.
“The partnership is a reflection of South Ocean Development Company’s determination to create the very highest quality resort in the Bahamas as well as GNGCD’s outstanding reputation for challenging, aesthetically pleasing and, most importantly, environmentally sensitive courses,” the statement said.
Mr. Norman said, “The Bahamas is becoming the next great international golf destination. I am fortunate to spend a great deal of time in the area because of my business commitments, and I look forward to being involved with the rebirth of South Ocean Golf Club.”
South Ocean Golf and Beach Resort has developed a master plan that will result in a multimillion-dollar renovation that will feature a new beachfront hotel and a variety of residential units, the statement said.
The golf course is progressing as scheduled and will reopen for the 2006-07 season, it was reported.
“We are of course extremely excited to be working with Greg Norman,” said Gene Fraser, South Ocean Director.
“His involvement and commitment to excellence is a genuine extension of what to expect of the new resort. His extensive branding, including the apparel of the Greg Norman Collection and Greg Norman Estates wines will be an integral part of our new marketing campaign.”
Both Norman and Fraser confirmed that Prime Minister Perry Christie, and Dr. Baltron B. Bethel, managing director of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas, played critical roles in attracting international investment to the Bahamas which will ensure the renaissance of South Ocean.
“The Bahamian government has been outstanding, and it is in favour of good developments, greater employment and the general increase and upgrading of the tourist market,” Mr. Fraser said.
“I applaud the prime minister’s approach in recognizing the benefits that business and golf can bring to the region as well as his strong desire to increase Island revenue and Bahamian employment through new, quality resort destination projects,” Mr. Norman added.
During his 30-year professional golf career, Mr. Norman amassed a total of 91 international victories, including two British Open Championships and 20 U.S. PGA Tour titles. The same commitment and determination that made him the No.1 player in the world for 331 weeks and resulted in a World Golf Hall of Fame induction now propels his multi-national company, Great White Shark Enterprises, to similar achievements.
“We are delighted to be working on such a wonderful piece of property with an incredible location like the South Ocean property,” said Jason McCoy, senior vice president of GNGCD.
The front nine of the new South Ocean course will be routed to achieve core golf on gently rolling land, the statement said.
It added that the back nine has dramatic elevation changes and works its way through the native Bahamian forest. Nos. 10-11 will have views of the water, while 15 and 17 will encompass lagoon-like “blue holes,” small natural ponds that are actually deep shafts connecting to the ocean.
To improve playability, the fairways and landing areas will be widened and players will be challenged with more strategic bunker complexes. In addition to adding length to the course, a new irrigation system will be installed and modern turf grass varieties will be incorporated. The practice area will also be relocated, enlarged and expanded.
First established in 1987 in Sydney, Australia, GNGCD is recognized as one of the premier signature golf course design firms. Now headquartered in Jupiter, Fla., with sister facilities and personnel in Sydney, Australia, GNGCD has opened 51 courses for play worldwide, with an additional 30 projects in various stages of development.
GNGCD also has projects under development in Mexico, Korea, China, Australia, South America, the United Arab Emirates, Poland and Spain. Norman has long held an environmentally friendly position throughout the design and construction of his golf courses adhering to a least-disturbance approach that focuses on every opportunity to incorporate unique existing site features into the layout of the golf course.
Source: The Bahama Journal
