New Courses
Justin Thomas to collaborate with Jack Nicklaus on a new course in Palm Beach
Justin Thomas and Jack Nicklaus attended a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for their next project, Panther National, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Justin Thomas’ first course design project was announced on Tuesday, a collaboration with Jack Nicklaus on a housing development, Panther National, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. A 400-acre lot of land was acquired by Swiss developer Dominik Senn, marking the first golf development to be constructed in Palm Beach County in about two decades. Officials expect the course to be completed at the end of 2023.
Plans also include a nine-hole, par-3 practice course with extensive practice facilities along with 218 homes and the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
“To begin my golf course design endeavors with someone like Jack Nicklaus is a dream come true,” Thomas said in a statement. “It’s an absolute honor to work with one of the icons of the sport, not only as a player but as an innovative golf course designer. I started drawing golf holes on napkins as a kid, so this is something I have wanted to do for a long time. The opportunity to work with Dominik Senn, who is a true visionary, as well as Mr. Nicklaus, made this the perfect opportunity.”
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Added Nicklaus: “I am thrilled Justin has decided to take on this rewarding challenge and I’m confident this venture will serve him well, both on and off the course.”
Thomas joins a short list of modern PGA Tour players to have dabbled in course design. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have a handful of new courses and renovation work, and Ernie Els has built an impressive portfolio abroad. Geoff Ogilvy's design team recently won the design gig at Medinah No. 3 after renovating Shady Oaks in Fort Worth last year. And Davis Love III and his brother, Mark, have amassed an impressive resume with their Love Golf Design. Sergio Garcia also consulted with Greg Norman on the TPC San Antonio (Oaks) course.
And this player/designer collaboration follows Brooks Koepka partnering with Tom Doak on the renovation of Memorial Park in Houston—although that was a municipal reimagination whereas Panther National will be a brand-new housing development.
Nicklaus’ team has designed more than 425 courses worldwide, including four on Golf Digest’s ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Courses and nine on our Second 100 Greatest ranking.