Cypress Equities, developer of the planned Royal Island in the Bahamas, has announced that the high-end private resort will be the site of the first Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. Royal Island is a 440-acre uninhabited island approximately 190 miles east of Miami near Harbor Island and Eleuthera Island. Cypress Equities, the development affiliate of The Staubach Company, a global real estate advisory firm founded in 1977 by NFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, announced in May its purchase of Royal Island. It plans to develop an ultra-luxury resort and private club residential community. In addition to private residences and the golf club, a 300-slip marina and a boutique hotel and spa will be built. Royal Island will be the site of the first-ever Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. The course will be part of a reciprocity program for a limited number of Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses around the world. Royal Island will be the first of only 25 participating clubs that will be given this special designation by Nicklaus. Never before has a club been branded with the Jack Nicklaus name. Locations for future clubs will likely encompass five continents and as many as 18 different countries. “Royal Island is Cypress Equities’ first resort development so we are thrilled to be selected by Jack’s team for the first Jack Nicklaus Golf Club,” said Staubach.
“They are, without question, the top golf course designers in the world and we are happy to provide them with an ideal location – a beautiful jewel of an island in The Bahamas – for this exciting golf course concept,” added Staubach. “Personally, I am excited about teaming with Jack Nicklaus. I have long been an admirer of his achievements both on and off the golf course, and look forward to working side-by-side with him to create a resort of unparalleled quality and distinction.”
The Royal Island development will incorporate rocky cliffs, beaches and ocean views. The residential portion will include single-family estate sites tucked into private enclaves, all with ocean views. The 18-hole course will be a “core” layout, with most holes boasting panoramas of the ocean. The development will also include a clubhouse and an 80-room hotel with spa and both fine-dining and casual restaurants. As one of the few islands with a natural, deep-water harbor, Royal Island will include a marina capable of accommodating yachts over 200 feet in length. A village center will serve as the hub of the new island community.
“Our family has fished in the Eleuthera area for many years, and it is one of my favorite parts of the Bahamas to visit,” said the ‘Golden Bear.’ “The actual island that makes up nearby Royal Island is beautiful, highlighted by a great natural harbor. The island is well protected, and its location is ideal. It is private, almost secluded, yet there is an airport in Eleuthera just a few minutes’ boat ride away. So there exists a perfect combination of privacy and convenience. The property on which we will do the golf course provides great vistas, and is a wonderful natural canvas that gives us the opportunity to do a very nice golf course and a centerpiece for a truly special project.”
Construction on the Royal Island marina is anticipated to start in early 2007. Construction will begin on the golf course, as well as the hotel and homes, by mid-2007.
“For me, personally, I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to work with a man I have admired and respected for many years, and someone I have considered a friend for many years – Roger Staubach,” Nicklaus said. “During his NFL career, I admired Roger for the kind of athlete, leader and role model he was. I have also admired Roger for how he has taken his leadership abilities, applied them in the business world, and has enjoyed an enormous amount of success. We have never had the opportunity to work together on something, and now, with Royal Island, I am not only fortunate to design the golf course but we get to partner in the project. I think we are going to have a great deal of fun and hopefully produce something very special for people to enjoy for many years to come. To be a part of a partnership that will bring to life Royal Island and the first Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in the Bahamas is significant to our organization, and certainly to me.”
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