The official opening of the Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club will take place on Saturday 9 July with an exhibition match featuring course designer Gary Nicklaus and former Ryder Cup captain Brian Huggett.
Gary – son of the legendary Jack Nicklaus – is himself a US PGA Tour professional, as well as being the golf architect responsible for this exciting new course near Llanelli. Aged 36, he was educated at Ohio State University and has played golf professionally on both the European and the PGA Tours. His golf designs include the Prospector at Superstition Mountain, Arizona, the Centennial Golf Club at Corcoran, Minnesota; Dalhousie Golf Club at Girardeau, Missouri and Walnut Cove in Asheville, North Carolina.
Nicklaus Design has worked with project managers Sawtrees and course construction company Southern Golf in a unique joint venture to develop the challenging 7,100 yard, par 72 Machynys lay out.
The official opening is a prelude to the course staging the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe, which takes place from 11 to 14 August and will attract many of the world’s top women players competing for a £350,000 prize fund.
“We are looking forward to a great transatlantic contest involving Gary and Brian before moving on to stage a major international tournament just a few weeks later,” said project director Jim Anderson. “Machynys was built for quality events of this kind. It’s a world class course in a stunning setting, with a clubhouse and practice facilities that are second to none.
“As Wales prepares to host the 2010 Ryder Cup, the completion of Machynys is very timely – and adds the distinctive and very special Nicklaus touch to the region’s golf and leisure offer.”
Situated in the Millennium Coastal Park near Llanelli, and overlooking Carmarthen Bay, Machynys is a links-style course that will challenge the finest players while also being enjoyable for the average golfer.
The overall cost of the Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club development is £7m, including £3.5m for the clubhouse. Alongside Machynys is Pentre Nicklaus Village, a housing development featuring 173 new homes.
The clubhouse has two bars, an 80-seater brasserie, a sun deck overlooking the 18th with sea views beyond, a function room seating 100 theatre style, pro shop, luxury lockers rooms and the Monks Health Club and Spa, named in recognition of a 6th century monastery on the site.
“The whole development is of the very highest quality and reinforces Wales’ claim to be in the premier league of golfing destinations,” said Rob Holt, manager of Ryder Cup Wales. “Machynys will provide a superb setting and perfect playing conditions for the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe – a great showcase for what Wales has to offer.”
Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club www.machynys.com
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