Construction work is almost complete on the Greg Norman redesign of the former Diplomat Golf & Tennis Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The club will be rebranded as The Shark Club by SLS Hotels.

Work began in November 2018 on the south of the site. Phase two, the seven holes on the north side, is approaching completion.

“The golf course has been rerouted to accommodate two new building tower pads marked for future development,” said Norman’s lead designer Jeff Danner. “Most of the existing golf hole corridors will remain intact. However, many holes around the perimeter will play in reverse with the slice side internal, to try and reduce the chances of golf balls leaving the property.

“The style of the golf course will have a classic feel, reminiscent of courses designed by Seth Raynor. Greens, tees, and bunkers will have a hint of geometric character to create more defined golf features for better strategy and decision-making visual cues, while seamlessly tying into the natural surrounds.”

Significant grading work and lake expansion are helping to create a no-net-loss of water storage for the entire site.

“The new layout, with its reduced footprint, will have plenty of risk-reward opportunities,” said Danner. “Where we lost length, we’ve made up for in creating a layout that has plenty of strategy and challenge, while providing safer avenues to the hole for the novice golfer. The existing second hole, which is the iconic island green in front of the clubhouse, will be repurposed and modified to play as the par-four eighteenth.”

The project is expected to be completed in August ahead of a possible soft opening in November.

This article first appeared in the July 2019 issue of Golf Course Architecture. For a printed subscription or free digital edition, please visit our subscriptions page.