NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. – Feb. 25, 2005 – Nicklaus Design's burgeoning global family of golf courses is about to grow by two. Norway and Sweden will soon become the latest to be added to the growing list of countries where Nicklaus courses are represented, as Nicklaus Design has officially announced its entrance into Scandinavia, with the Gardermoen International Golf Club in Norway and Sweden's Bränninge Golf & Country Club.
Gardermoen and Bränninge, both of which will represent the northernmost European courses in which Nicklaus Design has been involved, will be sister courses developed by the same Scandinavian ownership group.
Gardermoen International Golf Club (GIGC) will be an 18-hole Nicklaus Design situated 5 kilometers west of the Norwegian International Airport. The landscape on which the layout will sit features rolling hills and some dramatic changes in elevation. Bränninge Golf & Country Club will be a 27-hole Nicklaus Design project and will serve as the centrepiece for a residential project to consist of 400 homes and located in the town of Habo. The site is considered one of the best available properties in Sweden for golf. The views overlooking dense forests, open fields, and Sweden's second largest lake, Vättern, combine for what should be an extraordinary setting for golf.
"We strongly believe that golf is a global game, and it is exciting when we at Nicklaus Design can be a part of growing the game in new and different areas," said Jack Nicklaus II, president of Nicklaus Design. "Norway is a unique and developing golf nation, with several young, up-and-coming talents. Sweden has a strong, established reputation in golf, with stars like Annika Sorenstam and Jesper Parnevik playing in the United States. They continue to grow the game at a wonderful pace, and we hope to be a part of that growth and the introduction of the game to future generations in Scandinavia."
Catrin Nilsmark, an 11-year veteran and former winner on the LPGA who became the youngest Solheim Cup captain when she guided the 2003 European team to victory, is a partner in both projects. Nilsmark, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, will be involved as a player consultant and will be directly responsible for building strong junior golf programs at both clubs.
"I am excited to be a partner in these sister clubs, and to bring my experience to a new generation of golfers," said Nilsmark, who will again captain the European squad for the 2005 Solheim Cup. "Needless to say, I am thrilled to work with Nicklaus Design."
Nicklaus Design is considered the world's leading golf course design firm. The privately owned firm led by legend Jack Nicklaus has 281 courses open for play in 28 countries and 36 states. Jack Nicklaus has been involved in the design, co-design or re-design of 235 courses around the globe, 41 of which have been ranked in various national or international Top-100 lists. At least 77 Nicklaus Design courses have hosted a combined 500 professional tournaments worldwide or significant U.S. national amateur championships.
Over the last two years, Nicklaus Design has signed a combined 82 design contracts, representing 17 different countries.
For more information on Gardermoen International Golf Club (GIGC), visit their web site at www.gigc.no. For information on Bränninge Golf & Country Club, visit www.branninge.se. For this press release and additional information on Nicklaus or Nicklaus Design, please visit www.nicklaus.com.
Contact:
Gardermoen International Golf Club or
Bränninge Golf & Country Club
Giovanni Fili
Chairman of the Board
Tel: +47-91-300-500 or +47-63-999-790
Fax: +47-63-993-890
Email (Norway): giovanni.fili@gigc.no
Email (Sweden): giovanni.fili@branninge.se
Nicklaus Companies/Nicklaus Design
Scott Tolley
Director of Communications
11780 U.S. Highway #1
Suite 500
North Palm Beach, FL. 33408
Tel: 561-227-0300
Fax: 561-227-0351
Email: scott.tolley@nicklaus.com
