NICKLAUS DESIGN
THE LEADERS IN GOLF DESIGN
Ray Ball Interview
Tell us more about Nicklaus Design and your 20 years of experience in the company.
Nicklaus Design has been designing world-class golf courses for almost 50 years and we currently have over 430 golf courses open for play in 46 countries and 40 States within the United States. I have been with the company for close to 30 years and have served in various roles from Design Coordinator, Director of Administration, VP of Administration and Business Development to now Senior Vice President. It has been an honour to work for such a renowned company and the legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus. During my tenure, I have been fortunate to live and work in the Philippines and Australia and have travelled to over 20 countries on behalf of the company and have touched in one way or the other over 200 golf courses.
Can you name some of the most significant projects you had in your career with Nicklaus Design? Which one was the most memorable for you and why?
As some of the most significant projects I have been involved with are very difficult to answer as there are so many projects in so many iconic locations. However, personally, I will say I have an affinity for projects on or near the water as they tend to be more memorable with their stunning views, white sand beaches and crystal water, and whether you are playing along the cliffs of Cabo San Lucas Mexico or the beaches of the Dominican Republic there is something quite remarkable about the experience. Afandou fits very nicely into this category and will not only provide golfers with a memorable golfing experience but combined with the rich history, medieval architecture and amazing beaches of Rhodes, there is so much more for visitors to enjoy.
How did the opportunity to work with Mitsis Hotels for Afandou Golf Course come about?
The opportunity to work with Mitsis Hotels came about with the introduction of Christos Kourtis of Decathlon, whom Dirk Bouts had the pleasure of working with on another one of our projects. The beauty of this business is it is relatively small, and we have developed relationships with industry professionals it is always nice to collaborate together and recommend others whom we successfully worked with before.
Can you tell us about your approach to this seafront golf course experience?
As I mentioned earlier, golf on or near the sea is usually special and while I am not a designer optimizing the views of the water will make for a more special experience.
Being Afandou is an island destination and having a Nicklaus Design golf course will draw tourists to play, but at the same time they will also take in all the other amenities the island has to offer, including the local restaurants, shopping and sightseeing and this all helps support the local community.
How is this development going to boost the economy and community of the area?
As to the golf course operation, you will be creating well-paying jobs for the local community as well.
What are your thoughts on future golf tourism? Why do you believe this travel niche is on the rise?
As to the future of golf tourism, it has been our experience that if you provide a great golfing destination experience in a fantastic location, golfers will travel! A great example of this is Cabo San Lucas Mexico, which has become one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the world. The development of Cabo only began in the early 1990s and golf has turned this sleepy little fishing village into one of the world’s most sought-after golf destinations in the world and from 1993 to 2015, Nicklaus Design opened six golf courses there and Cabo went from 1 commercial flight a day to over 60 flights a day now and now boasts close to 20 golf courses all thanks to superlative golf courses.
Any final thoughts on the project?
My only final thought is I am hopeful that Stavros will invite me to the grand opening and to enjoy some of the local seafood.
Dirk Bouts Interview
What challenges does the renovation in Afandou Golf Course bring and how will you overcome them?
The main challenge will be to fit the new golf course within the existing treed corridors, maximise the use/views/relation of the beach/sea and integrate the existing drainage system within the golf course. From a golf design point of view, the focus will be to create a spectacular and enjoyable resort golf course to be enjoyed by all types of players.
What do you have to consider when redesigning and rebuilding the Afandou Golf Course?
Using the existing landscape, optimising the views towards the Sea, ensuring the best relationship with the beach, creating a better balance between the golf holes, optimising the views from the golf holes, creating high-quality playing surfaces, and integrating the existing drainage system. These are all features/items that will have to be considered carefully to ensure the best possible design to create the best possible golf course.
What will be the highlights of the design?
The fact that the golf course is already set within an existing landscape, is located along the beach/Sea, and has the elevations to maximise the views and the experience, will create a great scenario. Along with the fact that the course will be designed and constructed to the highest standards in the business, will also ensure the best product and conditions to play golf.
What design features can golfers expect? What is special about this project?
The golf course will be a parkland-type golf course, however, also while having golf holes directly on the beach and thus creating beachfront golf holes. The existing waterways will be integrated within the design and added water bodies/features will be strategically incorporated throughout the golf course. The more inland, the more treed the golf course will be, and the closer to the beach, the more open and dune-like the course will be, thus maximising the relation and views with the Sea. The golf course will have returning nines which start and finish at the spectacular clubhouse location on top of the existing rock outcropping. The views from the clubhouse over the whole golf course, the mountains and the Sea are truly spectacular.
How is this project going to ensure sustainable and responsible operations?
The focus will very much be on integrating the golf course within the existing terrain and landscape. Using modern methods for construction, proper maintenance practices and a very specific irrigation system will maximise the course’s sustainability.