Construction has started on a Jack Nicklaus signature course at Kilada Country Club Golf & Residences, a Dolphin Capital Investors project overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in the Porto Heli area of the Peloponnese region in southern Greece.

The par-72 course is the design firm’s first project in the country and forms part of a development that will include a five-star hotel, sport and leisure facilities, and luxury resort homes.

“The golf course we are designing at Kilada will surely be the centrepiece to something unique and special within such an idyllic location,” said Nicklaus. “The piece of property is an exceptional environment with such natural beauty. Mature olives trees can be found throughout, with rolling hills and great vistas from most vantage points. It’s an ideal piece of property for a golf course as when a site has such wonderful natural movement and existing features, our job is to simply set the golf in there. We hope this is a course that will attract golfers from the world over.”

The project is being overseen by Nicklaus Design senior design associate Dirk Bouts, who despite some Covid-related travel restrictions has been able to visit the site to ensure progress continues.

“During these times it is even more important to have the right people on site and be able to trust them to do the works an envisioned by Jack and his team,” said Bouts.

The main irrigation lake has been dug and construction is progressing on the third, fourth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes.

The course is expected to open in 2022.