http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/Jack-Nicklaus-Designs-hired-to-redesign-Seminole-Golf-Course-414197453.html
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/2017/02/19/fsu-hires-nicklaus-renovate-seminole-golf-course/98126860/
After vetting and meeting with four renowned golf course architecture firms in January, including Nicklaus Design – the global golf course design firm founded by Jack Nicklaus – FSU has teamed up with Nicklaus to renovate The Don Veller Seminole Golf Course and Club.
While the planning process looks to identify conceptual improvement ideas, phasing options and funding, everyone is in agreement:
The 18-hole, 7,147-yard university-owned course, which opened in 1962, boasts vast opportunities with its natural terrain of rolling landscape, pine and oak trees and an elevation difference of 70 feet between its highest and lowest points.
Nicklaus Design has 410 courses open for play in 39 states and 41 countries. The Nicklaus Course at Bay Point is the first and only Nicklaus Design course in Northwest Florida.
A Nicklaus 'Nole heritage
Nicklaus has strong ties to FSU, too.
Son Steve was receiver for the Seminoles in 1981, and grandson Nick O’Leary was a four-year starter (2011-14) at tight end. Four other Nicklaus grandchildren also attended FSU.
Son and Nicklaus Design President Jack Nicklaus II will be the lead designer on the FSU renovation/redesign in collaboration with his father. His former wife, Barbara Gillespie, played softball at FSU in the mid-1980s.
“Our family has a great affection for Florida State, and a wonderful history there — academically and athletically,” Nicklaus II said via email.
“We hope that our work on the Don Veller Seminole Golf Course will only help further showcase the golf program, the athletic department and the university, while also being a source of pride for the Tallahassee and Seminole community.”
A matter of course
Seminole Golf Course, located in southwest Tallahassee adjacent to Innovation Park, serves the university men's and women's golf teams. It is open to the public as well as FSU students and faculty. The par-73 course is operated by Century Golf Partners and averaged 42,000 rounds in 2016, according to regional manager Corey Hamlin.
Renovation to the course is overdue and a component of the Seminoles’ strategy – with help from the university and Seminole Boosters, Inc. – to improve their athletic facilities and team support areas over the upcoming years.
Doak Campbell Stadium and the Tucker Civic Center, home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams, have recently undergone substantial upgrades. Future projects may also include a new standalone Football Operations Center.
FSU’s golf course last underwent a major renovation in 2001, when FSU spent $5.5 million to build a new clubhouse, pro shop and restaurant facility. In 2004, it spent $2.2 million to rebuild its tees and greens and install a new irrigation system.
Renovations to the course and two-story brick facility are expected to cost between $4 million to $6 million. The project’s start date is yet to be determined.
“The timing of it and how it all gets put together, we are still trying to work through that now,” said Karl Hicks, FSU’s deputy director of athletics for external operations.
“It is exciting. (Nicklaus Design) is going to put together a design and some recommendations, and we are going to have to get the financial end in order, which will be a process. The vision for that golf course is an exciting one.”
The course was renamed in 2000 for the late Don Veller, a one-time FSU football and golf coach. It also serves the school's Professional Golf Management program. Hamlin said the club has 800 members and averages 100 tournaments a year.
The goal behind the renovations is to provide an enjoyable and challenging experience for players of all levels and help separate the course from other local and area courses. Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden and Franklin counties feature over 10 courses ranging from public, to semi-public to private.
With Jack Nicklaus expected to be directly involved in FSU’s project with his son, Bond expects the renovations to offer golfers excitement and variety.
“The more we got into it, the more excited we got about the potential,” Jones said.
“Their willingness and excitement blew me away. We are extremely fortunate and feel really confident obviously in their abilities.”
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