Nicklaus Design has begun construction on an 18-hole course at Jack's Bay Club on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas.
Jack's Bay Club is a 1,200-acre resort club and community that already features a 10-hole short course named Playground, designed by Tiger Woods' TGR design firm. The Nicklaus Design Course will be a full-sized 18-hole course, comparable to Woods' short course.
The new layout is scheduled to open in 2025 and will be branded as the first Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course. Jax Bay Club will be the only Nicklaus-branded community in the Bahamas.
Jack Nicklaus himself is not involved in the project. Instead, Chad Goetz, senior design associate at Nicklaus Design, will oversee the creation of the layout. Jax Bay Development and Construction Director Doug Maslo will oversee construction.
The course has several ocean-facing holes, while the interior holes cover land said to include rolling terrain, lakes, and blue holes that connect to the ocean.
“This may be the most incredible piece of land I've ever had the pleasure of working in in my career. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” said Goetz, who has designed the course. in a media release announcing that construction has begun. “We want to create a course in Jack's Bay that is in harmony with the environment and has strategic shot-making opportunities. Above all, we want to create a course that is fun for all types of players and that is natural to this great piece of land. We want to create a course where you can fully enjoy the wonders of the world.”
Jacks Bay Club 18-hole course route and site plan in the Bahamas by Nicklaus Design (Courtesy of Jacks Bay Club)
Nicklaus Design is part of the Nicklaus Companies, founded by Jack Nicklaus, but is currently managed by American businessman Howard Milstein, who also owns 8AM Golf. The family of companies includes Golf Magazine, Golf.com, Miura Golf and other golf brands.
Jax Bay Club is being developed by Eleuthera Properties. The club includes four miles of oceanfront property and a wide variety of upscale amenities.
