This year has brought numerous exciting successes, changes and plans to PCDC, including a few course openings and several new international ventures. In fact, PCDC currently has 39 projects signed and in various stages of design and construction.

Central America

One of the newest ventures is a world-class championship golf course currently being designed for the Red Frog Beach Club in Isla Bastimentos in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama.

Named for the thumbnail-sized, chirping red frogs that inhabit the surrounding area, the resort has it all – diving, surfing, deep-sea fishing, gorgeous beaches and crystal-clear water and numerous opportunities for exploring and adventure.

Soon, resort guests (and residents of the available bungalows) will not only enjoy the yearround average temperature of 82 degrees and the naturally protected harbor, but great golf as well. Representatives at Red Frog expressed that PCDC was chosen to design the resort’s course because of “its expertise in working with tropical environments” and its dedication to creating beautiful, regionally appropriate designs.

The course at Red Frog will be situated on an existing teak plantation. Keeping the natural primary rain forest intact was a huge consideration for Red Frog’s planners, who believe Palmer’s group is up to the task because of PCDC’s history of environmentally sensitive and nature-friendly designs. After all, the resort sits within the protected marine Parque Nacional Bastimentos, a natural sanctuary safeguarded from excessive human impact.

“The special grasses [PCDC] use can be watered with salt water and have little or no need for pesticides,” Red Frog representatives wrote in a statement announcing the course. “The team of specialists take great pride in working with nature, not against it... These experts really know what they are doing.”

Another consideration in Red Frog’s developers choosing PCDC was the Palmer-designed course at the Four Seasons Golf Club at Peninsula Papagayo, which opened last year in Costa Rica.

Since the Palmer-designed 18-hold championship course opened at The Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, it has become a landmark point-of-venture for golfers traveling to Central America.

Located near Libera, Costa Rica, the resort and course are located on the narrow Peninsula Papagayo, an incredibly beautiful setting with sandy beaches and dramatic mountain views.

Of course, in addition to providing amazing views on at least 13 holes, the ocean provides a challenge, coming into play often enough. Challenges aside, the course is coming to be known as a well-paced, gorgeous experience.

Excellent reviews have flooded travel-related Web sites like TripAdvisor.com, which has more than a few comments like this posted online: “My son and I played a round of golf on their stunning golf course.

“Almost every hole had a view to the ocean or the bay. Definitely a 5+ star golf course.” Still another traveler wrote that the design and setting are so stunning, that “a golf course tour is a must - even if you do not play.”

Casual travelers aren’t the only ones singing Peninsula Papagayo’s praises. On Worldgolf.com, in an article written for CaribbeanGolf.com, journalist Landy Blank wrote of his experience playing the course.

“In one direction are hillsides as high as 1,000 feet, with spectacular views of the Pacific. These views - and natural elevation changes that create unforgettable holes - were factors in routing the golf course.

“The Palmer team took full advantage of the bounty presented... When you visit Costa Rica, be sure to include a stay.”

Caribbean

Following the official 2004 announcement of the Atlantica residential and touristic project in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, development of the massive endeavor has been swift. A billion-dollar project, Atlantica is being put together in three stages over ten years. Part of that development includes a Palmer-designed golf course. Site representatives said the the course will likely lead golfers through tropical canyons, and will bring the area’s beautiful cliffs and ocean views into play. Set in the natural marina at Luperon, the area is a safe-haven largely protected from hurricanes and other tropical storms. A Bay Beach Club, new restaurants and residences are set to open in the area, which hopes to have one of its new golf courses open by mid 2006.

United States

A little closer to Palmer’s home in Florida, the King’s Creek Golf Club in Spring Hill, Tenn., is getting ready to open its new Palmer-designed course. Formerly “River Links” golf course, the Tennessean newspaper reported in April that developer David Miller renamed the club “King’s Creek” in honor of Palmer, whose design team is in charge of the renovation and redesign. Typical of a Palmer course, King’s Creek is challenging enough to encourage good players to take risks, but fun enough that even beginners will enjoy their round. As the only course in the community outside Nashville, broad appeal is important. Aptly named, the course features two small streams that meander throughout the property, and water comes into play on at least 15 holes. Twelve bridges will help players negotiate what is likely to be a wet round for all but the best. Look for it to open before summer ends.

In addition, PCDC is working on three projects for The Ginn Company, the well-known development firm that is known for, among numerous other resorts and developments, Reunion Resort & Club of Orlando. Heavenly Mountain, in Boone, North Carolina; West End, on Grand Bahama Island; and a course in Naples, Florida are all being worked on by PCDC.

Prospector Golf Course at Suncadia Eighty miles east of Seattle, nestled among the pines is Suncadia - a 6,000 acre, four-season resort community which straddles the sparkling Cle Elum River. The Prospector Golf Course, by Palmer Course Design Company, is an 18-hole course meandering through spectacular rolling terrain of firs and pines, splashed with lakes and ponds. The Prospector Golf Shop is located within the Prospector Inn. The Inn contains a restaurant, lounge and18 guest rooms. It reflects the warmth of a mountain retreat with custom touches inspired by nature and history. Suncadia also features Tumble Creek, a spirited 2,000-acre private community with acre plus home sites and an extraordinary golf course by Tom Doak Renaissance Golf Design. Recently unveiled the third course at Suncadia, by Jacobsen Hardy Golf Course Design, will be called Rope Rider. Over 500 families have selected homesites and are beginning plans to build their special homes.

Prospector Golf Course at Suncadia www.suncadia.com

The Federal Club

Hanover County, VA - The Federal Club, located in Mountain Run, a gated community in Glen Allen, Virginia, began construction Spring 2005. The Club will feature a 27-hole Arnold Palmer private golf course routed through 625 pristine acres featuring just 99 estate homes.

A 25,000 square foot clubhouse designed by the DePasquale Gentilhomme Group will offer formal and casual dining, locker rooms and a state of the art fitness center. A separate Swim/Tennis Complex will provide 3 pools, tennis courts, an outdoor grill and a kids care area.

Course construction and shaping is being done by Holcomb Golf and the course intends to plant bentgrass greens, tees and fairways. Trevor Hedgepath is the Golf Course Superintendent and Harrison Minchew is Palmer’s lead architect on the course design.

Bauer Voss Consulting is overseeing membership sales which have been brisk. Spencer Rife, PGA Membership Director, sold out the Founders in just under 2 hours at the Club Launch.

Charter Members Ray Tate, Tommy Pollard, Richard Laibstain and Jack and Calvin Stanley look forward to the Grand Opening festivities Summer of 2006.

For more information visit www.thefederalclub.com

Eurasia

Palmer is bringing golf to Central Asia with an 18-hole championship course at the Zhailjau Country Club in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Set beside a new residential development and luxury hotel, the course will be one of the best - if not the best - in an area where golf is not in great supply. With this Silk Road city’s dramatic landscape, including snowcapped mountains and vast plains, the course will be a thrilling experience. Look for signature Palmer elements including abrupt shifts of direction and gorgeous water hazards.

On the topic of former Soviet destinations: In late 2004, PCDC teamed up with National Golf Development Corporation, based in Moscow, Russia. “I am very pleased and happy with this new relationship,” said Mr Palmer. “We look forward to bringing golf courses to Russia and expanding the game in that part of the world.”

National Golf Development Corporation is working as a PCDC representative, dealing with clients in Russia who are seeking design and development services. Developments there will benefit from PCDC’s recreational planning expertise as well, which includes planning for tennis facilities, hiking and biking trails, field sports complexes, aquatic and physical recreation as well as fishing, ecological and passive activities. With fantastic natural beauty and vast amounts of space, the future of Russian golf should be healthy. In addition, PCDC is working on a development in Kiev, Ukraine.

Moving south, Beijing, China, will soon benefit from a PCDC-designed course at Changying. It will add to Palmer’s presence in China, which already has two Palmer-designed courses: Chung Shan Hot Springs Golf Course in Guangdong Province; and Kunming Golf and Country Club, in Kunming, Yunnan Province.

Also in Asia, The Philippines look forward to three new Palmer-designed courses: Harbour Town, The Legends, and Sun Valley. The Evercrest, a Palmer-designed course in Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines, is one of the country’s most popular courses, noted for tight fairways guarded by steep hills and deep ravines. No doubt the new three will prove as enjoyable.

Portugal, already a great golf destination, is getting a new golf facility with a Palmer-designed course going in at Barroca d’Alva, near the capital city of Lisbon. The fantastic location is already known for its beauty and top-notch amenities, including the incredible countryside. Now it can add top-quality golf to the mix.

Staff Updates

While PCDC is busy changing the outside world, it has also undergone a few noteworthy changes in-house with a staff reorganization that goes as follows:

Ed Seay, who started PCDC with Palmer in 1974, is PCDC’s president. Seay is well-known to Palmer-course fans. An expert designer before PCDC started, Seay has headed-up many of the firm’s better-known projects.

Erik Larsen is PCDC’s executive vice president, senior golf course architect and managing director. He received a degree in landscape/horticulture from North Carolina State University, and is a member of many professional organizations and a respected course architect who has been part of more than 100 completed PCDC golf courses worldwide. He will be focusing on new developments, so we can look forward to even more great PCDC courses.

Deborah Thode is senior vice president and director of business. Currently pursuing a Masters degree in business administration at Jacksonville University, Thode manages most in-house administrative tasks, including overall budgets, public relations, corporate affairs and new business development.

Harrison Minchew is vice president, senior golf course architect and director of design services. A University of Georgia graduate with a degree in landscape architecture, Minchew is responsible for ensuring the overall quality of plans, specifications and consultation inspection services - in addition to continuing as a senior golf course architect.

Vicki Martz is vice president, senior golf course architect and director of environmental services. In addition to her duties in designing courses, Martz will be co-ordinating and assisting the owners and consultants in preparing comprehensive environmental site assessments. This crucial function includes wetlands management, permitting, native grass and plant selection, and evaluation of wildlife habitat.

BUILDING DREAMS

If you owned a huge chunk of land you wanted turned into a golf course, and if you hired Palmer Course Design Company to build the course for you, the chain of events in development would go something like this:

Phase I Plan Development Environmental Planning Golf Course Routing Plan Project Team Coordination Site Analysis Soils, Water, Climate, Slope and Vegetation Construction Cost Estimate

Phase 2 Cost Estimates Detailed Grading Plans For All Basic Golf Course Features Staking, Clearing, Fairways, Tees, Greens Irrigation, Grassing and Conceptual Golf Course Landscape Plan Specification and Instructions Bid Proposal General Conditions Construction Documents

Phase 3 Scheduling and Programming Pre-bid Instructions Design Execution Inspection Quality Control

Phase 4 Tee it up and play golf!

PCDC can even help consult on issues like planning special events; arranging tournaments; setting up event exhibits; arranging for playing privileges at partner clubs; and handling issues of maintenance equipment, golf carts and more.