Jack Nicklaus plans course in Nicaragua; maybe Donald Trump should consider Latin America

Jack Nicklaus, who’s taking his design business outside the U.S. more and more these days, is designing a course in Nicaragua.

The course is supposed to be the centerpiece of the Seaside Marina Spa and Golf Resort, located on 923 acres along a pristine stretch of the Pacific coast, about 45 miles southwest of Managua.

Maybe Donald Trump should forget Scotland and consider Nicaragua.

It would be Nicklaus’ first course in Latin America. He told the media he was impressed with the terrain, after making a site visit November 20. At least 10 holes would have either ocean or river views.

“There are some fantastic opportunities with oceanfront holes and river-front holes,” Nicklaus said. “…But, in the end, the strength of this golf course could be the variety of the inland holes, with the gentle natural movement, the lush native vegetation and the added feature of the river, which we will integrate into the design strategy.”

Barring permit problems, the course could be finished by 2010.

Nicaragua is one of the faster-growing countries, and tourism officials hope the Nicklaus name will help the country as an emerging golf destination, when combined with the nearby courses in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.