Golden Bear gives his blessing to 2014 Ryder Cup venue at Gleneagles

PGA Centenary Course – Hole #9

Jack Nicklaus recently traveled to Scotland and The Gleneagles Hotel to review his design changes to the newly reopened PGA Centenary Course in preparation for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

The award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, which originally opened for play in 1993, has already hosted a number of high-profile professional tournaments, including the Scottish PGA. The course has undergone extensive modifications, in close consultation with the Golden Bear and his Nicklaus Design team, and reopened to the public on April 28 of this year.

“When I was asked to design the course more than 20 years ago, it was a pretty challenging golf course,” Nicklaus said after touring the course with the Gleneagles team to review his changes. “With the equipment and the golf ball, and everything going so much farther, it needed alterations.

“The 18th hole was the biggest change. We dropped the green five or six meters and created a tremendous amphitheatre. It’s not a very difficult hole, but it’s exciting. There will be birdies and eagles and bogeys on it, and you’re going to get shots that change (the match). It’s more about creating good golf than creating the most difficult shots and course in the world. It’s about creating one that the players will enjoy, and I think they will enjoy it.

“You are either blessed or limited by the piece of land you have, and there are a lot of terrific places out there. There are a couple of places that might need work, but usually that’s where you end up building your best holes. It’s an excellent golf course and a good test of golf, both for the average resort guest as well as the Tour players that will compete in the Ryder Cup.

“If you go through the course, there is not a weak shot on it, but you must keep balance. You can’t have four holes in a row breaking someone’s back, as you have to give some relief and a birdie chance, and the Ryder Cup falls the same way.

“I’m very proud of it.”

Patrick Elsmie, Managing Director of Gleneagles, said:

“After many months of working closely with Jack and his team to remodel the PGA Centenary, we are delighted to welcome him here to give the course his seal of approval. It’s terrific to hear his positive comments on the course, which have been echoed by those guests and members who have had the opportunity to play it since the reopening in late April.

“In the run-up to the Ryder Cup in 2014, we expect thousands of golfers will take up the chance to play the final tournament course before it sees the golfing greats of the U.S. and Europe do battle.”

For more information on The PGA Centenary course or the hotel, visit www.gleneagles.com.

PGA Centenary Course – Hole #18