The Bears Club
This golf community, set among 369 acres of pristine woodlands just a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, showcases Nicklaus' meticulous design standards. The course spans 7,164 yards, gently rolling through native vegetation, ancient oaks, pines, cypress trees, and wetlands. Meticulously placed across the landscape are 102 bunkers, their design inspired by the bunkers at Australia's Royal Melbourne Golf Club, which Nicklaus explored during his tenure as captain of the U.S. Presidents Cup team in 1998. Medium-to-large undulating greens, rounding off at the edges and leading into hollows and chipping zones, demand precision and strategy.
Nicklaus said, “The members like it because they can score well on it, but it’s a challenging golf course from the back.” In 2010, he introduced additional teeing areas on 10 holes and refined the 442-yard 15th hole by altering a transition area, eliminating a forced carry to the green. Notable par-5 holes, including the stunning finishing hole, contribute to the course's appeal. The elongated pear-shaped green on the home hole sits gracefully beside a lake, offering a safe area to the right. Adjacent to the green-protected water lies the grand Tuscan-style clubhouse, a masterpiece created by Barbara Nicklaus alongside her husband.
Alongside the 18-hole championship course stands the Jack Nicklaus Performance Solutions academy, distinguished by its state-of-the-art technology seldom found in private clubs. A par-3 course provides challenges ranging from 100 to 180 yards. The property's allure extends beyond the course. Collaborating with her husband, Barbara Nicklaus designed the Mediterranean-style clubhouse that seamlessly connects with the residential community. The sprawling golf headquarters, spanning over 64,000 square feet across two levels, exudes opulence. Barbara's personal touch in the interior design, featuring woven rugs, ceramic and porcelain art pieces, original artwork, and refined fabrics, adds warmth.
While the upper level houses the main dining area, mixed grill, lounge, and private dining space, the lower level boasts a spacious central meeting area leading to a men’s grill, five individual locker areas with attached bathrooms, showers, and Jacuzzi, along with steam and massage rooms. Out-of-town members or their guests can enjoy four one-bedroom suites named after Nicklaus' favorite golf addresses: Pebble Beach, Augusta National, St. Andrews, and Muirfield. Property owners can choose from luxurious residential options, including 17 golf villas, 14 club cottages, and 57 estate homes, all styled in Tuscan and French-provincial architecture. Before leaving the clubhouse, savor a meal prepared by Certified Master Chef Brian Sode, who recently passed the examination at the Culinary Institute of America. Regardless of a day filled with birdies or double bogeys, Sode's culinary expertise offers a perfect conclusion to a day on the course.
Whether by land or by sea, the properties and amenities in South Florida are of the highest quality, and this group of Real Estate Agents certainly follows suit.
