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Florida’s World Golf Village boasts new Palmer/Nicklaus layout

There’s never been a golf course like this one. For the first time in history, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have paired to design a course.

Their creation, The King & The Bear, will open in mid-November at the World Golf Village near St. Augustine. “Jack and I are excited about working together on this project because of the beautiful venue and its affiliation with a great project like the World Golf Village,” said Palmer.

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Working together, these two golfing legends collaborated for the first time to create a remarkable course of unparalleled design, beauty, and challenge. The layout features loblolly pines and open meadows on the front nine, while the natural beauty of 200-year-old live oaks with huge shady canopies complement the back nine.

“Arnold and I have been good friends for many years,” said Nicklaus during a visit to World Golf Village in October. “We’ve also been competitors both on the golf course and in business. So I see The King & The Bear as a wonderful opportunity to bring our friendship and businesses together.”

Run by the upscale course operator, Scratch Golf Company, the course will feature three sets of tees to challenge all skill levels, measuring 7,247 yards from the championship tees and 5,295 from the forward tees.

The course will be the second layout for the World Golf Village, joining The Slammer & The Squire (named for Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen). World Golf Village is becoming recognized as the international home for the game of golf, with the World Golf Hall of Fame its centerpiece.

Highlights of the World Golf Hall of Fame include a replica of St. Andrews’ Swilcan Burn Bridge, the Magic Moments mini-theater, the IMAX Theater, the par-three Challenge Hole, a real grass 18-hole putting course, the Walk of Champions Hall of Fame, and lots more. Convenient accommodations are just across the street.