Golf Inc. announced it will honor six golf courses from five countries in this year’s Development of the Year competition, including three by Nicklaus Design.
The three are: Nicklaus Club Beijing in Beijing, China; Quivira Golf Club in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in New York, New York, which Jack Nicklaus designed with John Sanford.
The other honorees in alphabetical order: Centurion Club in St Albans, U.K.; Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington; South Cape Owners Club in Gyeongnam-do, South Korea.
The 14th annual contest highlights the best new private and public golf courses in the world. It judges new courses based on development vision, aesthetics and routing. This year the magazine added sustainability as a new area of judging to examine the economic and environmental impact the courses will have for years to come.
“While the number of new courses opening worldwide is at its lowest point in perhaps 40 years, the world’s best architects remain busy,” said Jack Crittenden, Editor-In-Chief of Golf Inc. “That has meant very stiff competition for this award, as the projects getting a green light today are of the highest caliber.”
The percent of international entries in the competition has grown in recent years, while the number of entrants has shrunk. Every course that opened in a oneyear perioed was eligible to enter the competition. In addition to open nominations, the Golf Inc. staff identified courses that received accolades and invited the developer and architect to enter the competition to ensure the best projects were part of the competition.
“There were only 14 entrants, but they represent the best in the world,” Crittenden said.
All six courses will be featured in the January/February issue of Golf Inc. Magazine. There will be a first, second and third place in addition to honoring three finalists.