JACK NICKLAUS INTERVIEW - ST MELLION, MAY 2013

ST MELLION, CORNWALL – In this new summer 2013 interview, Jack Nicklaus recalls the time he designed the golf course at St Mellion, which was his first 1st UK project.

ST MELLION: What do you feel that you accomplished, here at St Mellion?

JACK NICKLAUS: “First, it helps to understand some of the history of the St. Mellion project. Originally, I twice – maybe three times – turned down the Bond brothers, Herman and Martin, when they asked me to design the golf course.

I did so only because of the challenge of the property. Essentially, they wanted me to put a golf course on the sides of this hill. I asked them if we could find a little bit better piece of property that was more conducive to building a golf course. They said no, and it was because of the existing golf course, and the location of the clubhouse and everything else. So I reluctantly turned it down.

They came back and said, “Please, Jack, do this golf course. It just makes sense for us. We just
can’t do anything else.” I said, “Ok, but understand it’s going to be a unique golf course.” where we have had to design and build the course into the side of the mountain, with a stair-step approach to fit the holes in there.

I was told at the time that it was the largest civil contract in Great Britain that year, because of the amount of Earth we had to move to make the golf course work.

In the end, it’s a golf course where, actually, each individual hole is pretty darn good. They might be in a unique location, but I thought the golf course, as such, turned out to be a really good golf course from a playability standpoint.”

ST MELLION: But is it a good golf course?

JACK NICKLAUS: “I think it is a very good golf course. It plays really well. It was a strong golf
course when it first opened. I have always been very proud of taking the site given to us and turning into something that has now hosted at least a dozen professional or significant events. I think the golf
course, hole for hole, turned out to be a very good golf course.

I haven’t been there for a while, but it was always a good strong golf course, a strong test of golf.

I learned recently that the St. Mellion International Resort was nominated for England’s Leading Golf Resort, and I am hopeful that the experience we created there is chief among the reasons for that.

From where we began to the fact we are here today celebrating the 25th anniversary of an English success story gives me a great deal of pride.”

(As a side note, Jack Nicklaus also pointed out that at least one of the holes at St. Mellion has been replicated in the Bear’s Best concept of golf courses, which have been built in Las Vegas, Atlanta and now South Korea)

ST MELLION: Where would it rate in all the courses you have created worldwide?

JACK NICKLAUS: “Let me ask you a question, “Who is your favourite child?” You can’t answer that. Well, asking me to rate this course compared to others, is like asking me to rate my children. I would never do that.

I will only say that I believe St. Mellion—as a test of golf, as a design, and looking at each individual hole and its beauty—would rank the golf course very high.”

ST MELLION: When was the last time you were here, and did you get to play the course?

JACK NICKLAUS: “Although I am unable to get back there often, I know that the team at St. Mellion has nurtured the course and taken great care of it, and because of that they have been able to maintain its position as one of the most recognized and popular courses in the UK.

St. Mellion was my first design opportunity in the UK, and because of that and the success of our collaborative effort, it holds a special place in my heart.”

Ends.

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St Mellion International Resort
VIEW OF THE 18TH: 3

A modern-day view of the Resort Hotel and 18th Green on the Nicklaus Signature Course.
Photo: Andy Hiseman

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St Mellion International Resort

The 14th Green on the
Nicklaus Signature Course. Photo: Bob Atkins

www.st-mellion.co.uk
Winner of the Gold Award as Best Large Hotel in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2011, and set in 450 acres of stunning Cornish countryside, St Mellion International Resort offers a fresh, unexpected alternative to the more traditional hotel & resort accommodation in the West Country. The Resort offers a contemporary 4-star hotel, and the two stunning Nicklaus Signature and Kernow golf courses. The Nicklaus Signature Course, voted ‘Best In The West’ by readers of Today’s Golfer, celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2013. Guests can choose from three very different dining experiences, including fine dining, brasserie-style and a comprehensive bar food menu. An indoor leisure club with three pools, an Elemis spa health & fitness club allows guests to be as active or as relaxed as they choose. Its combination of a superb, tranquil location, facilities unrivalled in the area, and wonderful hospitality makes St Mellion International Resort perfect for golf breaks, leisure breaks and family holidays. And for golfers, St Mellion has it well and truly covered, with highly competitive rates and two European Tour courses making the Resort the ideal destination for corporate or society golf, as well as for a memorable golf holiday with friends.

www.crown-golf.co.uk

The award-winning Crown Golf group has 26 UK golf facilities and 40 golf courses in its portfolio. With pride in customer service and innovation, Crown Golf (established in 1994) aims to provide an outstanding golf experience for its members and visitors, tailor-made to suit the lifestyles and needs of a wide range of golfers. The company’s flagship is the European Tour venue St Mellion International Resort, home to The Nicklaus Signature Course – the first in the UK to be designed by 18-time Major-winner Jack Nicklaus.