The Asia Pacific Golf Group will be recognizing Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus Design at the 2012 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) with the newly created Global Legacy Award. The award is being bestowed upon the Golden Bear and his company for the pace-setting and pioneering work that has been carried out globally over the last four decades.
In recognizing Nicklaus, Mike Sebastian, Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the owner of the APGS said, "Under his stewardship, new standards were set and a whole global industry has been spawned and during this span of time, many of today’s successful golf course architects have learned the trade and honed their skills under the tutelage of the Master himself."
"We also feel that this award is timely given the fact that the organization has some 95 golf courses in play or under construction in Asia," explained Spencer Robinson, President (editorial services) for the Asia Pacific Golf Group.
Nicklaus is arguably the most successful golf course designer of the modern era with a firm that has created more than 370 courses open for play in 36 countries. Nicklaus Design currently has golf courses under various stages of development in 21 different countries.
Nicklaus Design has 87 courses open for play in the Asia Pacific region, including 20 in China. Nicklaus Design currently has 15 courses under development in China and at least another 10 projects signed and in the planning process. Nicklaus has also begun to brand real estate developments in China, including projects in Beijing and Shenzhen.
Nicklaus Club—Beijing is the first golf development involving the Nicklaus Companies’ turnkey services, such as design, construction management, membership sales and marketing. The Shenzhen project is a luxury residential tower called Hill Manor that interestingly features no golf component. The towers are the centerpiece to a luxury lifestyle development comprised of parks, shops, water features, a sports club and spa, and various other amenities and services.
The Shenzhen Towers are the centerpiece to a luxury lifestyle development comprised of parks, shops, water features, a sports club and spa, and various other amenities and services.
Most recently, the Nicklaus Companies announced the expansion of their leading lifestyle and design brands with Nicklaus-China, a partnership with a leading Chinese company that will aid in the strategic, comprehensive and responsible growth of golf in China by assisting developers with a unique opportunity and “turnkey solution” to golf course and residential development. The venture will also explore business opportunities outside design and development that involve Jack Nicklaus and the Nicklaus brands.
“As a player and then designer, my goal has always been to grow the game around the world,” Nicklaus said. “At the same time, I think it is important to grow the way golf is developed. We have witnessed the passion and enthusiasm for golf in China, but we have also observed a need and desire for assistance in every aspect of the development process. A quality golf experience only begins with the design process, and developers in China are looking for leadership and expertise in the golf and real estate arenas.”
The award will be presented on December 11 at a special ceremony in the oil-rich Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, the venue for the 2012 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. The award will be accepted by Paul Stringer, Executive Vice President of Nicklaus Design.
