Shark's Tooth Named Second Best New Private Course

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Greg Norman-designed Shark's Tooth Golf Club at Wild Heron, a private signature course in northwest Florida, was voted the country's second Best New Private Course in Golf Digest's survey of America's Best New Courses of 2002.

Shark's Tooth is part of a new 741-acre residential community developed by a team that includes Norman's Medallist Developments along the shores of Lake Powell. It will feature 595 units of residential real estate, ranging from estate-sized homes to custom-built homes, town homes and condominiums.

"It is a great honor for both my design and development teams that Shark's Tooth was recognized in such a manner by Golf Digest," Norman said.

Tucked among the oaks and pines along the shores of the historic lake, which has been designated an outstanding Florida waterway, Shark's Tooth is a challenging routing that is one with nature.

It has already been awarded Silver Signature Sanctuary status by Audubon International for its commitment to environmental excellence. This is an honor that Shark's Tooth shares with only three other golf courses in the state of Florida.

Shark's Tooth has already been awarded Silver Signature Sanctuary status by Audubon International.

The Shark's Tooth design and development team has gone to great lengths to enhance and protect the wildlife, its habitat and other natural resources. The goal of the Audubon Signature Program is to merge wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, resource conservation, and environmental improvement with the economic improvements associated with a new development.

"We begin each new golf course design with a least-disturbance approach," Norman said. "Our entire design team puts a lot of time and effort into finding the most desirable natural features of a site, and incorporating them into the routing.

"In recent years, all designers and developers have taken a more responsible approach toward the environment, and I'm proud that both my design and development teams are focused on exploring issues pertaining to the environment and land planning. Medallist is among the most environmentally responsible land developers in the world, and we believe we're industry leaders with our development and design teams."

The course stretches 7,209 yards from the back tees and features five fairways that border scenic Lake Powell, two holes that play toward the water and numerous wooden cart path bridges that cross over wetlands and estuaries. Grass from the Greg Norman Turf Company was used on the fairways, approaches and rough.

"The site allowed us to use a number of loblolly pines and oaks to frame holes, and, on a number of holes, sand ridges were retained for definition," Norman added. "These sand ridges add lot of character to the golf course, a characteristic that is often missing on Florida courses. The entire site gives you the feel of a retreat."

The vision for Shark's Tooth began when Norman first walked this remarkable landscape. "It is unusual in Florida to find such rolling land, particularly on a site as close to the Gulf as this," Norman said.

"This site, as much or more than any other we have had to work with, allows us to follow my long-standing mandate of taking a 'minimalist' approach to the design. With the natural undulation of this property, we moved very little earth, which is always an environmental benefit."

With dramatic views down Nos. 17 and 18, the spacious clubhouse upon completion will provide members and their guests with a unique club environment, whether golfing or dining. Please visit www.WildHeron.com for additional real estate and membership information.

Other Norman designs to receive prestigious recognition from Golf Digest include: Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla., seventh Best New Private Course in 1995; TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga., seventh Best New Private Course in 1997; and The Reserve Golf Club in Pawleys Island, S.C., seventh Best New Private Course in 1999.