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ak iklaus above inspets the anta !uia iver #lub during a visit to ort t. !uie on 'arh (). iklaus who designed the original ourse
oversaw its redesign ompleted this spring. The third hole opposite page reeived a new green and a bunker in front.
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Sending a drive whistling down the first fairway of his redesigned signature course at
Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie, ack Nicklaus at 6 looked anything but retired.
Intense blue eyes sparkling, he said, “It’s a totally new life for me. I went from playing
golf to &uitting to then expanding beyond (competitive) golf.”
The Golden Bear found a new passion two years ago when he dove full-time into designing
and redesigning golf courses around the world.
He was standing on a sample of his handiwork in March when he came to Santa Lucia
River Club at Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie.
“I got a kick out of re-doing the Santa Lucia course,” Nicklaus said. “It was a chance to
re-do what I did 15 years ago. These things are fun for me. I’d be bored to tears otherwise,
because now I don’t spend all my time preparing for the next event, I only play once or
twice a month.”
At Santa Lucia, the golf course that bears ack Nicklaus’ name is now 300 yards longer
than it was during its first 15 years 7 a change that is typical of what he does when he
redesigns courses.
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