Work commences at Jack’s Bay

Nicklaus Design announced work has commenced work on an 18-hole championship layout at Jack’s Bay along the Atlantic coastline on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas.

Jack’s Bay is the world’s first Nicklaus Heritage course and will include the Nicklaus real estate branding rights as a Nicklaus Community.

The new Nicklaus Heritage brand of original golf course designs will showcase the senior designers from Nicklaus Design who have been trained by Jack Nicklaus over several decades. Nicklaus Heritage designs incorporate the design philosophies and values imparted to Nicklaus designers over their careers while working under Nicklaus Design’s Jack Nicklaus Signature brand.

The championship course at Jack’s Bay will highlight characteristics unique to the region. Jack’s Bay is home to a separate, 10-hole Playground designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Design, which was completed in March 2020. Completion of the Nicklaus Heritage championship course is scheduled for 2025, making Jack’s Bay the first property to feature an 18-hole golf course by Nicklaus Design coupled with a Tiger Woods and TGR Design.

“The principals of Jack’s Bay Resort Development Limited have a remarkable vision to make their community the destination of choice for the most discerning golfer in The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean,” said Howard Milstein, executive chairman of Nicklaus Companies. “From my very first meeting, I committed all of our Nicklaus, IMI, and 8AM Golf assets to ensure the greatest golf experience imaginable.

“With the history of the island, stunning ocean views for golf and real estate, and access to world-class fishing and other amenities, Jack’s Bay rivals any destination in The Bahamas,” Milstein added. “Nicklaus Design is proud to have been selected to create a world-class golf course on this property.”

The golf course design team will be led by Chad Goetz, senior design associate at Nicklaus Design, who will be on-site to oversee all aspects of the design process.

“It’s going to be spectacular,” Goetz said. “A number of holes stretch directly along on the ocean and even the land off the ocean has remarkable topography, featuring a rolling terrain of elevation changes, lakes, deep water ‘blue holes’ to the ocean and caves. What Mother Nature has provided us is rare and we plan to preserve the natural integrity and enhance the beauty of the island.”

The Tiger Woods and TGR Design layout is a 10-hole short course tracing the adjacent shoreline and provides a playing experience that perfectly complements the natural beauty of Jack’s Bay. The Playground features a flexible layout, with holes ranging from 71 to 163 yards and offers a variety of shots and playing scenarios.

“Jack’s Bay is destined to become the next great family destination and draw people from all over the world to Eleuthera,” Woods said. “The future is bright for Jack’s Bay.”