His passion for golf extended from playing to course design, and on Sept. 30, he visited Creighton Farms golf course on U.S. 15 north of Aldie to see one of the courses where he was the architect.
Creighton Farms was originally developed by Ritz-Carlton, and was acquired by Southworth Development LLC, of Massachusetts, in March 2009. The 964-acre property offers a private 18-hole golf course measuring 7,410 yards.
The community,along with Southworth partners David Southworth and Joe Deitch hosted Nicklaus. The visit began with a press conference.
“Our view when we came across Creighton Farms some two-and-a-half years ago was thaqt it was one of the most beautiful developments we'd ever seen,” said Southworth. “The way it was thought out. The way it was put together.”
The trio opened up for questions from the audience, focusing on Nicklaus’ design career and problems encountered with the development of Creighton Farms.
Nicklaus takes questions, gives answers
On Creighton Farms: “It's a good golf course, a strong golf course. It's one that is a golfer's golf course, you might say. Somebody who enjoys playing golf will enjoy playing here because not only will it be fair and fun, but it will test your mettle also.”
On his involvement and role in Creighton Farms: “Well, I'm hands-on. I'm always hands-on when it's a signature golf course. I was probably in here 10, 12 times. I've got a team that works with me, but the product that you see out here is essentially mine. We have different flavors, different looks. We do different things. You see what the owner wants...what kind of look he likes, who is going to play the golf course, who is going to be here, so forth and so on.”
How the economy affects design: “As I was telling David and Joe this morning, from a golf course design standpoint, my business is fairly silent. Most of what's happening is a little bit in Europe. We're still doing quite a bit in Asia. This course (Creighton Farms) is not a design job…it’s bringing back to life something that was the start of a golf course design and development. A recovery in many ways.”
Problems with courses he has designed: “Every [course] has a different problem; each project is individual. Each project has its own set of circumstances and things to deal with. On this particular property, we have a tremendous amount of wetlands. We had settlement fields – drain fields for septic is basically what they are. We had quite a few of those around this property which had to be respected.”
Designing courses after playing: “The design career would have never happened without the first act. But I'm certainly no smarter than the next guy. I played my game reasonably well, and had a reputation in my game. I started getting involved in golf courses back in the late '60s. So I had two careers basically going together for a long time. And I kept learning at one while I was learning at the other, so I [got better] at both of them. When one of them came abruptly to a stop – I shouldn't say abruptly – I was fortunate to have other things that I really enjoyed and it was a continuation of my other career.”
Modern Golf and Equipment: “It's very difficult today with golf equipment. The game of golf was slow enough when the golf ball only went 230 or 240 yards. When the golf ball goes 340 yards, it's pretty difficult to say how you go that 100 yards farther. Whether you're walking or in a cart or traveling in space, when a ball goes 340 yards, it needs more width, and more land.
Look at the old golf courses. I don't know what St. Andrews was built on, but I bet it is probably not on more than 100 acres or less. But you try to take a golf course and do that today, you'd have every lawyer and every member working for them in your office every time somebody got beaned with a golf ball. In our society, you can't do that. You need enough space.
If the golf ball went back to going 230 or 240 yards, the golf courses don't have to be as long. You don't need as much land. You can get around it much faster. But until they do that, golf's going to be a longer game, and I think that's wrong.
That's what I've been preaching about for how many years now… 1977 was the first time we went to the USGA about the golf ball. I told them, ‘Guys, you're going to be in trouble. This golf ball goes too far. It's going to cause you problems, and you better solve it now. They said, “You're crazy.”’
Advice to Junior Golfers: “There's only one way you can get good, and that is to play. The more you play, the better you get. What I'm saying here is to watch, get as much exposure watching people, watch what they do. Watch how people chip. Watch how people play bunker shots. Watch how Gary plays bunker shots; he's magnificent. Watch Ben Crewnshaw putt; he’s terrific. Follow these guys. Learn what they do, how they do it. Try to analyze it. Try to figure it out. Try to imitate them. You'll get better. So will a lot of kids”
Watch Nicklaus swing on the range (video)
Supporting Young Golfers
Following the press conference, Southworth Development and Creighton Farms donated a $10,000 check to The First Tee program of Prince William County. The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop–through golf and character education– life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
Following the event, Nicklaus hit the range and impressed the crowd with his flawless form and pinpoint accuracy. He then worked with several youngsters from The First Tee program, giving them advice on their swings.
Full video of the press conference, Nicklaus on the range, instruction to The First Tee learners and a exclusive Loudoun Independent interview can be seen on a four-part video series titled “Nicklaus and Me,” only at loudouni.com
Please never stop writing about Nicklaus's appearance. I want to read about it every day. It is probably the most important event in human history.