Golden Bear Visits Nicaragua

Twenty years ago it would have been nearly impossible to envision the greatest name in golf putting his mark on Nicaragua, but times have changed. Nicaragua has been peaceful and democratic for almost two decades, and is one of the fastest-growing countries in Central America. Hailed in the global press as "The Hot Spot to Visit" and "The Next Costa Rica," this once-overlooked country is now grabbing the spotlight that eluded it in the past.

Considered by some as the safest country in Central America, Nicaragua is undergoing a top-to-bottom transformation. Jack Nicklaus is helping accelerate those changes. Golf's "Golden Bear" agreed to work in the country to design a Signature Golf Course as the centerpiece of Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort, an exclusive resort community in this burgeoning country.

Nicklaus made his first visit to Seaside Mariana on November 20 to begin the process of adding his design touch to the 923-acre oceanfront parcel along the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. During his visit, Nicklaus and his design team spent hours surveying the topography of Seaside Mariana to take advantage of the diverse terrain and direct oceanfront location.

"There are some fantastic opportunities with oceanfront holes and riverfront holes," Nicklaus said. "Our goal is to balance what we can create with what is natural, and put the two together to form a complete and spectacular package. What we found on this visit is that we have the opportunity to get the golf experience closer to the ocean than originally thought. But, in the end, the strength of this golf course could be the variety of the inland holes, with the gentle natural movement, the lush native vegetation, and the added feature of the river, which we will integrate into the design strategy."

He added: "I get a great deal of satisfaction in having the opportunity to go into a new country and emerging market, and design a golf course that will not only enhance the tourism in that country but also help introduce and grow the game. I view this as a tremendous responsibility, but one I embrace. It is a way for me to give back to the game I love."

Many visitors have found that Nicaragua offers considerable beauty, much of it remaining in a natural state. Developers have recently begun to create oceanfront, lakefront and mountain projects to accommodate visitors seeking warmer climates and a lower cost of living.

Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort will cater to the upper echelons of that demographic. For more information about Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort, visit www.NicaraguaDevelopments.com or www.SeasideMariana.com. For additional information about Nicklaus Design, visit www.nicklaus.com.