West Palm Beach, United States: Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) has celebrated a landmark occasion with the opening of its 100th golf course at Eastern Golf Club in Australia.
Greg Norman hosted the official grand opening in Yering, located within Melbourne’s famous Yarra Valley. As part of the day’s events, Norman conducted a coaching clinic for returned servicemen and women from the Greg Norman Foundation’s charity partner for the opening, Soldier On.
Since its inception in 1987, Greg Norman Golf Course Design – a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation – has been one of Norman’s true passions in both business and life.
His experience playing many of the world’s great golf courses over a 25-year career served as a catalyst to develop this interest and turn it into a thriving company.
Today, GNGCD courses span the globe, covering six continents and 34 countries.
Among its roster of internationally acclaimed courses are Medalist, Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth and Fire Courses, El Camaleon at Mayakoba Resort, Ellerston, TPC Sugarloaf, TPC San Antonio and The Bluffs at Ho Tram and Danang Golf Club in Vietnam as well as Nirwana Bali and Riverside in Indonesia.
“Because each design bears my name, I personally make it my mission to get involved with every step of the design process, from walking the virgin site, to planning and construction, to opening day,” said Norman.
“Through my globe-trotting background, we have been fortunate enough to make inroads in non-traditional golf areas. We look forward to expanding the GNGCD footprint and continuing to grow the game in ways never thought possible.”
In addition to GNGCD’s 100 open courses, the firm currently has 42 more under contract and another 22 actively under development.
GNGCD’s design philosophy is grounded in a ‘least disturbance approach’ that blends golf courses with their surrounding environment to enhance the properties’ natural features.
The firm is regarded as an industry leader in promoting sustainability and the compatibility of golf courses with the environment, with many projects having been awarded the Audubon Society Award for environmental stewardship.
“I take seriously the legacy we create in designing and developing each golf course. This milestone gives me particular satisfaction, knowing we have made a global impact in creating courses that withstand the test of time,” said Norman.