Jack Nicklaus made a visit to Croatia last weekend that included a meeting in the capital city of Zagreb with the Prime Minister, Dr. Ivo Sanader, and other government officials to celebrate the official signing and announcement of the first Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in the Republic of Croatia. A contract-signing ceremony officially launched the relationship between Nicklaus Design and Porto Mariccio Resort, an up market community on the country’s western coast of the Istrian Peninsula.
Jack Nicklaus and his leading golf course design firm were chosen to bring to life the first integrated resort in Croatia. This will consist of a luxury hotel with a spa, wellness centre and meeting facilities; a variety of residential offerings totalling more than 460 units; a 350-berth marina; and an 18-hole golf course. Porto Mariccio Resort, which is being developed by the real estate-investment firm AB Maris, will be situated between the town of Rovinj and Pula, and near the archipelago of the Brijuni Islands.
Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus Design have courses open for play in 28 different countries, but this is the firm’s first in Croatia. Nicklaus Design currently has 80 projects under development outside the United States, including 20 new countries.
“This is one more country that five years ago we, as a firm, never dreamed we would have the opportunity to be involved in as far as developing golf,” said Tim Kenny, Executive Vice President for Nicklaus Design. “It is exciting for Jack, the family and Nicklaus Design to continue our efforts to introduce and grow the game in new markets throughout the world.”
Industry experts have pointed to Croatia as being one of the most rapidly growing tourist destinations in Europe, and it is estimated that several billion dollars of tourism infrastructure projects are being planned throughout the country over the next three to five years.
Jack Nicklaus Design www.nicklaus.com
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