Jack Nicklaus Raffles golf in Saint Lucia

jack nicklaus addressing the gathering

GROS-ISLET, Saint Lucia - Tourism officials are going out of their way in

describing as a winning combination, the coming together of two world-renown

labels to create a coveted real estate offering that is unlike any other in the

Caribbean region.

Raffles world-renown for their award-winning collection of luxurious hotels and

resorts, are teaming up with a legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, to develop 360

acres of prime ocean front property with magnificent views, located on the

northern tip of Saint Lucia.

Raffles St Lucia, which will contain 200 luxury rooms along with villas and

condominiums, will have surrounding it, an 18-hole golf course designed by

Nicklaus, nicknamed the Golden Bear.

This will make Saint Lucia as one of only 25 destinations worldwide to be

selected as a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. The course features eight holes that play

to or along the water. All 18 offer something unique.

jack nicklaus (left) and saint lucia prime minister stephenson king in discussion

All of this and more was revealed at a press conference and cocktail party

hosted last Thursday evening at the Saint Lucia Golf and Country Club, in Cap

Estate at which Nicklaus was the guest of honour.

Also in attendance was the who’s who of local political, commerce, and tourism

circles namely Prime Minister, Stephenson King, Minister of Tourism and Civil

Aviation Allen Chastanet, newly installed Minister of Trade, Industry, Commerce

and Investment Rufus Bousquet; Minister of Communications and Works Guy

Joseph; and President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association Colin

Hunte, and Mr and Mrs Dennis Nardoni who are among key investors in the

project.

According to Tourism Minister Chastanet, “Nardoni is a gentleman who has

displayed a tremendous amount of confidence in Saint Lucia, who has let his

actions speak louder than his words, and has single handedly done a lot for this

destination."

artiste impression of raffles saint lucia

In Chastanet’s opinion, Raffles Saint Lucia is a jewel in Saint Lucia’s crown, and

is really a testament of the opportunities that exist for Saint Lucians to be able

to improve their wealth and truly help with the development of the country.

"The opportunity to have this gentleman’s name on a golf course here and

involved in the investment in St Lucia really is priceless," stated Chastenat in his

introduction of Nicklaus.

Nicklaus and his entourage inclusive of family and business associates, toured

the first nine holes of his signature golf course.

Nicklaus described the outing as so far so good, and the project as "something

pretty special.

"The property has been opened up and we were able to see things that are

going on like the spectacular views on the golf course, housing and where the

hotel is being built on the beach.

During his address, Tourism Minister Chastenat mentioned two other projects

somewhat similar to Raffles, which are under construction.

What is Nicklaus views on what could be impending competition. "I don’t ever

worry too much about that. We are always trying to do the best project we can

do and our history will pretty much tell you what the results have been.

"Having other projects and golf courses can only add to tourism and add to the

benefits of bringing people to St Lucia. It is always good to have more rather

than less when you are trying to bring people to a place."

With Tiger Woods four shy of equaling Nicklaus all time record of eighteen Grand

Slam victories, many persons including Saint Lucia’s Tourism Minister, see

Nicklaus as "The greatest golfer the world has ever seen."

When Nicklaus was asked how would he feel if Tiger Woods seriously goes after

your record, Nicklaus without hesitation replied: "I think he is already seriously

doing that. He is not doing it half dazedly."

Nicklaus said that he admires Woods, and spoke to him Thursday morning and

wished him well following his knee operation. In Nicklaus opinion, Woods is a

very positive young man who has set sights and goals most people would not

try to set.

"All the things he wants to achieve will probably happen for him," said Nicklaus.

"I only hope his health does not keep him back from that happening.

"If he breaks my record that’s fine, I don’t have a problem with that. Every time

somebody writes an article my name is right beside it so it’s not all bad for me

either."

Nicklaus also cautioned that the people and Government fo Saint Lucia must

decide what direction they would want to take the sport of golf into.

He made mention of the cost of staging a major championship, and that it is not

profitable to small states like Saint Lucia, so the best advice would be for Saint

Lucia to seek to attract golfers over to play and spend their money. (Robertson

S. Henry)