Greg
Norman talks about Shark's Tooth, which he ranks as one of his top
three golf course designs - joining the likes of
Doonbeg in Ireland and TPC Sugarloaf in Atlanta, Ga.
Q.: What is your favorite hole on the course and why?
GREG NORMAN: I like all 18, and I can honestly say there isn't
a weak hole on the course. No. 13 starts a great three-hole stretch
along Lake Powell. It is a par-5, right along the shore of the lake.
In that particular area of the property we were able to use existing
sand ridges to frame the holes. The green is surrounded by large live
oaks with hanging Spanish Moss. It is a beautiful place on the property.
Q.: Why is Shark's Tooth one of your favorite lakeside courses?
GREG NORMAN: I have had the opportunity to design several
lakeside courses. Shark's Tooth is special in the respect that my companies
were involved as both golf course designer and real estate developer.
This dual role enabled us to dedicate a considerable amount of lake
frontage to the golf course and create, what I consider to be, the
perfect balance of value for both golf and real estate. Keeping the
end product in mind, we positioned several holes on the back nine among
the existing oak hammocks and sand ridges so that they appear to have
been there for many years.
Q.: How did you hear of the secluded land now known as Wild
Heron?
GREG NORMAN: My development company, Medallist Developments,
first visited the site in 1999. The property is made up of several
land parcels put together to form Wild Heron. We knew during the very
first visit this was a special place. The rolling topography is very
unique to a coastal location. In addition, the wetlands, views and
location made a perfect beginning for a wonderful golf course and residential
community.
Q.: What do you think is unique about golf course communities
and how does Wild Heron differ?
GREG NORMAN: The natural beauty of Wild Heron is something
everyone can enjoy whether you are playing a round of golf or sitting
on the front porch of your home. During the landplaning exercise we
paid special attention to preserving views of the lake and natural
surroundings. Our Audubon Silver Signature Sanctuary accreditation
is very prestigious. Everyone involved with this project took special
care to protect Lake Powell and the wetlands. This distinction is quite
an honor and all involved should be very proud.
Q.: Is Shark's Tooth one of your more challenging courses?
GREG NORMAN: At Shark's Tooth, we focused on designing a golf
course that will challenge a good player on a daily basis but at the
same time make the beginner want to play more. I would consider Shark's
Tooth a challenging course but not one of our more difficult courses.
I believe that every course should be challenging from the championship
tees. In keeping with this philosophy, the course is certainly an adequate
test when set up for tournament play, but for the most part we designed
Shark's Tooth around membership play and keeping it interesting for
those who play it on a daily basis.
Q.: Why would a golf-devotee fall in love with Shark's Tooth?
GREG NORMAN: Preservation and protection were the theme when
designing the golf course and planning the community. This approach
has incorporated the natural character of the property into the course,
an element often missing in golf course developments in Florida. When
you play Shark's Tooth you are able to experience one of Florida's
most beautiful sanctuaries where live oaks, marsh grasses and numerous
species of wildlife are thriving around you. Combine this with a great
golf course and you have quite a memorable experience.
Wild Heron
is a secluded, rental-restricted residential community located
east of Destin, along the shores of Lake Powell, Fla.'s
largest coastal dune lake. Within the next five years the 734-acre
coastal sanctuary will be home to fewer than 600 privileged families.
The Greg Norman-designed Shark's Tooth Golf Club is the centerpiece
of Wild Heron, and has been ranked one of America's best new private
golf courses by Golf Digest and was awarded a coveted Silver Signature
Sanctuary status from Audubon International, making it the only 18-hole,
private golf course in Florida to carry the signature status. WJMK
Television Productions, producer of the American Environmental Review
series on Public Broadcast Television, is featuring Shark's Tooth Golf
Club and Greg Norman Golf Course Design in a television special that
is scheduled to air in the fall of 2003.
Wild Heron's
developers include Medallist Developments, a joint venture between
Greg Norman's Great White Shark Enterprises and Macquarie Bank
of Australia, in partnership with Hillman Properties of Pittsburgh,
Pa. The partnership has appointed Head Companies of Point Clear, Ala.,
to act as project manager for new development. Intrawest Golf was selected
to operate Wild Heron's golf course.
