Florida Golf Monthly

Palm Coast Resort- three golf legends Have designed courses at this prestigious resort.

You have until January 31, 1998 to enter to win a golf package at the Palm Coast Resort

It's a battle that has been waged around the world for the past four decades. Arnold Palmer displaying the best of his talents in the face of a challenge from Gary Player &endash; only to be faced with a stronger challenge from Jack Nicklaus. Over the past 35-40 years, this saga has played out on some of the most spectacular courses in the most prestigious championships around the world.

Today, the stage for this drama is set on the east coast of central Florida at one of the up and coming golf resorts in the state at Palm Coast. Instead of a driver, wedge and putter, these three legends are duking it out with blue prints, bulldozers and seed bags in the arena of golf course architecture. Florida-based architect Bill Amick, who got the ball rolling when Palm Coast opened its doors with the Palm Harbor Golf Club in 1972, referees the battle. Back then, it was best known as the first course represented on tour by LPGA legend Nancy Lopez.

Gary Player provides the test at Cypress Knoll which canstretch to a claustrophobic 6,591 yards. At first blush, the cart paths appear to be wider than the fairways, but once you attune your senses to the surroundings, the challenge is straightforward and fair. As testimony to the difficulty of the challenge, consider that although the shortest of the four courses, Cypress Knoll has the highest course rating at 73.5 and the highest slope at 130 of any of the resort's original four courses.

Palmer and Seay combined to design the Pine Lakes course and the heretofore pride and joy of Palm Coast &endash; Matanzas Woods. With a sturdy 6,894 yard distance from the back tee markers, Matanzas Woods is a challenge for anyone. This is proven by the fact that the 1987 PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals were hosted by Matanzas Woods and the course more than held its own.

The sleeper of the bunch is Pine Lakes where its 7,074 yards in length is complicated by water placed in the least desired places, thus keeping a good round in doubt until the final putt has been holed.

Most resorts would consider these four courses as fine a drawing card as anyone would need. Perhaps in the old days, that was the philosophy - but it isn't any longer. Under the new ownership the Lowe Corporation and the management by Lowe's own Destination Hotels and Resorts, any less than a major step forward would be considered stagnation. Thus, the challenge by Nicklaus is issued to the four courses already in operation.

Called Grand Haven, this 7,000 yard layout promises to bring an entirely new dimension to Palm Coast Resort. It will upgrade the standard by which the resort is judged not only by its customers, but also by the staff itself. The course will be a product of what has come to be known as the "new Nicklaus."

In the earlier stages of his development as an architect, Nicklaus was often chided for designing courses that his critics felt, the man could only play himself. To date, there are few golfers in the world who can hit the high cutting two-iron shot that lands with all the force of a feather on a pillow. Nicklaus is one and it's a struggle to find another &endash; yet his designs would often call for such improbabilities.

Today, Nicklaus takes what many feel is a more realistic approach to design. This is not to say that Grand Haven won't be a challenging golf course. It will be all the challenge anyone could want. Unlike many Nicklaus courses in the past, missing a green won't qualify the golf ball for a place among the missing and pictured on the side of a milk carton. The ball will in all probability be found and there will be a fair chance of recovery.

Is it a gentler, kinder Nicklaus who will provide the challenge of Grand Haven? Perhaps. Is it a better and fairer test of golf than his past designs? Most definitely. Just as he matured as a golfer in his earlier days, Nicklaus is showing a maturity in his design work that will take his reputation as a golf course architect to new levels.

In keeping with the regard DH&R has for Nicklaus, they've retained his services to build yet another course. The next one will be on a piece of beachside property and already threatens to rewrite the pecking order at Palm Coast. Named Ocean Hammock (it will be located in the Hammock Dunes area), the new course may see a return of Nicklaus' devilish ways. He's

already conjured up ideas of this becoming a championship test presented in a scenic package with as many as seven oceanfront holes. Should that materialize, don't be surprised to see Palm Coast Resort pitching itself as a future PGA Tour site.

To keep the new course and all the Palm Coast properties in mint condition, DH&R has retained the services of greens superintendent Mike Fabrizio to oversee the soon-to-be five-course complex. Among his credits, Fabrizio lists a similar position at Wild Dunes, in Charleston, South Carolina, annually touted as one of the top golf resorts in the country. In addition, they retained the services of noted PGA professional Jerry Thompson to fill the post of Director of Golf. Thompson comes to Palm Coast from PGA National in West Palm Beach where he served a lengthy and noted stint.

If it was just golf being served at Palm Coast, the plate would be filled with a heaping portion. Fortunately, there's a lot more. DH&R have made their strong reputation in the industry by providing the vacationing sportsman and conference attendee with a complete, high-quality package. Palm Coast falls right in line with their other properties.

One of the first things you notice at Palm Coast is the ongoing project to upgrade the entire facility right down to the smallest detail. The 154-room Harborside Inn is a prime example. Offering scenic views of the waterfront, the inn is the focal point of resort living. While it provides easy access to nearby shopping centers and other businesses, it also sets the tone for a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that permeates the Palm Coast Resort. While some resorts are beehives of activity, Palm Coast meanders along at a leisurely pace.

Yes, there is a lot going on as the staff is keen on providing efficient and polite service, but there's never a feeling of frantic pressure to get things right, proving that when done professionally, providing service is a stress-free task.

Only steps from the guestrooms is the Palm Coast Marina where deep sea fishing charters and pontoon excursions await. Also available are bicycle rentals for use on eight miles of scenic paths along the intracoastal waterway. The Palm Coast Players Club offers tennis players a choice of grass, clay or hard courts. The resort's private beach club provides an oceanfront freshwater pool in a secluded setting for sunbathing or exploring miles of beach.

In a state renowned for its quantity and quality of golf resorts, Palm Coast Resort has accepted the challenge of attempting to separate itself from the pack. They managed to create an arena for the all-time competitive troika of the game to battle once more. Only this time, the rest of the golfing world will emerge as the winner.