From sea to shining sea, the Arnold Palmer Design Company is all about golf, full–steam ahead
Settling into its new home at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, and starting to get used to its stillfresh- on-the-lips name change, the former Palmer Course Design Company is as busy as ever. In fact, the Arnold Palmer Design Company (APDC) is busier than ever, with a host of projects around the world underway — and some set to open this year.
"We have some of the best sites we've ever had," says Erik Larsen, APDC's executive vice president, and senior golf course architect. The sites currently under development, and the courses that are set to open in 2007, represent some of the best opportunities APDC has ever had to showcase its work.
Among those potentially open for play in the next 12 months are the Federal Club in Glen Allen, Virginia, and Balsam Mountain Preserve, in Waynesville, North Carolina, Innsbrook, in Edenton, North Carolina and The Newport in Port Aransas, Texas.
The Federal Club, in its own words, is "a return to a more gracious era." Elegant and gentlemanly, its Palmer Signature course will not require tee times, and will feature a substantial and refined Clubhouse. Grills and fine dining, private rooms and fitness areas, complexes for tennis and swimming (three separate pools!) are all planned and will all be connected by cart paths.
Balsam Mountain Preserve in North Carolina is another amazing offering from the Palmer team. Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 4,400-acre setting features a low-density development with only 354 homes. The Palmer course, as with any Palmer course, is a beautiful example of how top-flight golf can co-exist with nature. Ecologically sound, as with all Chaffin/Light developments, this course features more than its share of majestic views and incredible playability. Stunning in every regard, we can't wait until it's formally open.
Additionally in North Carolina, there's White Oak Plantation, a beautiful Premier course and development in Tryon. Golf in a garden, equestrian elegance and on site vineyards are all second to the amazing views. The new golf course at Innsbrook is being polished up at press time for an opening as early as fall of 2007. Situated on the Albemarle Sound in northeastern North Carolina, the golf course will appeal to all golfers with multiple sets of tees, and the clubhouse sitting forty feet above the sound, will offer beautiful vistas of the golf course and the water.
Even more exciting, there's another one in Hendersonville that also qualifies for "Premier" status, APDC's new line of topflight courses that will be unlike any seen to date. Seven Falls is, as they have it, "worth waiting for." Indeed. When it opens, Western North Carolina's "first golf and river club" will incorporate three distinct lifestyle areas: An Arnold Palmer golf course, a River Lodge, and a Town Center. The Palmer Course will benefit from Seven Falls' incredible setting. Winding around the property's 1,400 acres, the 18-hole course will thread through native trees and grasses, rolling across rocks and falls as it presents a beautiful and elegant challenge for all players. A 30-acre practice facility, Golf Academy, pro shop and putting greens are also planned. The River Lodge will sit on the French Broad, a beautiful river named for its flowing into formerly French colonial territory (Western NC's other broad river was named the English Broad, and is now just the Broad River). The Lodge will be the perfect place to cast a fly, skip a stone or just take in a sunset. Finally, Seven Falls will feature a Town Center that will offer a café, bakery, wine shop and a restaurant or two. Those interested in following this exciting development can visit www.7fallsliving.com for more information. It's worth keeping an eye on, as it may be one of the few Palmer Premier courses in the world.
As Larsen previously explained, for a project to receive the Premier designation, APDC and Owner will develop programs for design, construction, maintenance, club operations and marketing.
"We feel this service is unique to the industry," he says. "We want to make sure the whole golf experience is great from the minute you walk in."
Larsen explains that while Palmer courses are all designed to the highest standard, Premier operations will be held to maintaining that standard. Furthermore, APDC will periodically check in to ensure things are still up to snuff. Clubs must hold themselves to the standards initially agreed upon by Owner and Palmer to enjoy their Premier status. This ensures that when a golfer sees "Premier" on a club, there's no doubt about the quality. It's part of Palmer's new approach.
"We are being selective, and to do selective stuff," said Larsen. "And our team is focused on that target."
Out of the mountains, is The Newport, in the dunes along the Gulf of Mexico in Port Aransas, Texas, APDC has finished another course, which should be open by the time you're reading this. As Larsen explains, unlike most Texas desert courses, this is "an exciting links course… very unique."
Having the opportunity to create one of Texas' first links-style courses has the team at APDC excited, but it's not the only thing keeping them going. Larsen explained that while APDC has never done a golf hole on an ocean ("Been close, gotten within 50 yards, but never on the ocean") he said the company now has several agreements to build golf courses on a coast.
"In the next three years, we'll probably do 25 golf holes like No. 18 at Pebble Beach," he says. "We've never had that chance; it's great."
The projects are spread around, with sites in Mexico, the Bahamas, and St. Lucia, among potential others. Across the ocean (not necessarily on it), APDC is in discussion on courses in China, the Philippines, and even the Middle East. No signings in the Middle East yet, but there are three jobs in China in line and lots of interest in the Philippines.
As for China, Larsen says the destination presents specific challenges. "It helps to employ a local person who understands the language and politics." Access to good info is tough as well, he says. Topographical maps and other intel can be tough to come by, but APDC has the experience and connections to ensure developments anywhere in the world are built to Palmer's top standards.
Closer to home, Owl's Head (in northern Florida) is set to begin construction very soon. With home sites well outside the golf course's perimeter, Owl's Head is a golf-specific project well worth visiting for its beautiful setting as much as for its game. Additionally, a project north of Tampa, Florida, and another Signature Course in Valencia, California, are both set for development as well.
Pine Lakes Country Club, in Palm Coast, Florida, recently celebrated their grand re-opening. The course showcases exciting new holes even as the historical corridors have been maintained. Another reopened course is The Bridges at the newly named Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi (formerly "Casino Magic"). The 160-acre course is named for its 21 wooden bridges that span almost a mile over 17 lakes and 14 acres of marsh and wetlands. Might want to stock up on balls for this one.
Finally, one of the most exciting APDC projects underway is The Reserve at Lake Keowee. Located in northwestern South Carolina, just two hours from Atlanta or Charlotte, The Reserve at Lake Keowee sits on 3,900 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and features nearly 30 miles of shoreline on the beautiful lake. A pool pavilion (with a beach!); a racquet club; boating; hiking; and fine dining all feature into the property, which will soon benefit from what is slated to be an Arnold Palmer Premier Golf Complex. In addition to a top-shelf 18-hole course, the Complex will feature a par-3 course and a learning center.
"It's one of the most pristine lakes in the United States," says Larsen. "The site is beautiful rolling wooded land, and being part of a well-heeled development, which is already successful makes this opportunity special. We're very happy to be involved."
Wherever it is, from China to Florida, APDC is working hard to build courses we'll all love to play, bringing the game and the world closer together. Shine up your passport and get ready to enjoy the products of their effort. Our bags are packed already.