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As seen in The Highlander article by Fred Afflerbach
on Tuesday, October 16, 2007:
Nicklaus Visits Skywater
Stone House information center now open
The Golden Bear left his footprint on Horseshoe Bay Sunday.
Jack Nicklaus, winner of more major tournaments than any other golfer – 18 – flew in last weekend to consult and advise Skywater Over Horseshoe Bay developers and architects on the 7,200-yard, 18-hole Summit Rock Golf Club signature course.
Nicklaus appeared at Skywater representing his firm Nicklaus Design. Since his first golf course design in the 1970s, Nicklaus and his staff have designed over 300 courses that are now under play.
The golf legend brings to Skywater the same workmanlike approach that led him to 73 career tour victories, second only to Sam Sneed. He said about 12 holes were in good shape, but six others needed some changes.
“We’ve probably got about a dozen holes that fit in nicely, and we have about six we probably need to work on and try to figure out which way to do this economically and most efficiently, and make sure we get the product we need.”
The 67-year-old Hall of Fame golfer said they were addressing changes to number 18 to construct a picturesque final hole.
“We’re working on a waterfall situation alongside the finishing green that will look really nice. We’re moving the green over into that location.”
Jim Rohrstaff is leading the sales team for Skywater’s marketing firm, DMB Realty, an Arizona company specializing in mixed-use, urban, master planned communities. Rohrstaff said working with Nicklaus was surreal.
“Jack’s been a golfing legend for 45 years. When you have the opportunity to meet; or let alone work with somebody who is the best at what they do, it’s a pretty special thing,” said Rohrstaff.
In conjunction with the Nicklaus visit, Skywater held a brunch to celebrate the opening of their information center called the Stone House.
The building will serve as a welcome center for those interested in purchasing property in the 1,600-acre community overlooking Horseshoe Bay and Lake LBJ. When finished, Skywater will feature about 1,100 home sites and offer access to the Horseshoe Bay Resort airport, now under renovation. Skywater will have entries from both SH 71 and FM 2147.
Architect Tim Blonkvist said they used an eco-friendly approach to design the welcome center – a sandstone and Brazilian hardwood building that would utilize both sun and rain. The solar-paneled, concave roof catches rainwater and funnels it down an elevated aqueduct that drains into a 20,000-gallon cistern. The water will be used to water the landscaping, which includes a garden that will supply fresh vegetables to the kitchen.
Blonkvist said the overhanging “butterfly” roof was raised upward to catch rain and sun, but did not restrict the Hill Country view.
“We’re not just enclosing the space,” said Blonkvist. “The whole thing is designed so when the sun moves around the building, it prevents the heat from coming in while allowing natural sunlight to come in.”
The solar roof panels will supply energy to heat both the building and indoor water supply.
Skywater officials said they had about a year of work remaining before his first group of golfers could tee off.
Meanwhile, Nicklaus is expected to return again, offering input, but working within a budget.
“That’s part of the job, trying to figure out how I can build a really good golf course here without breaking the bank.”
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Skywater Over Horseshoe Bay.