KEY POINTS:
Golfing great Jack Nicklaus hit the ceremonial first drive to open a new course bearing his name at Kinloch, near Taupo, today.
Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 golfing majors and known as the Golden Bear, was on hand for the opening of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at The Kinloch Club, the only Nicklaus course in New Zealand and one of 25 around the world bearing his name.
He said he was familiar with the area from fly fishing trips and had approached the club to design the course, the first nine of which are now ready for play.
"I wanted to be involved with the project -- the site has the views and all the contours needed for a great golf course.
"I think that the first nine holes which are now open have the potential to become the best that we've designed."
His company has designed and opened 313 courses in 30 countries.
Today the Golden Bear played nine holes with his eldest son, Jack Nicklaus II.
"It occurred to me that in an increasingly tumultuous world, this peaceful haven offers a timeless way of life and values," Nicklaus Senior said.
"If I had to move outside the United States, New Zealand is the first place I'd come."
Developers expect the full 18 holes of the course to be operational in November and a nine-hole par-three course to be open next year.
- NZPA
