Press Release
October 13, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact:
JOE PICCHI
(518) 474-0456
SARATOGA TO HAVE SECOND GOLF COURSE DESIGNED BY LEGENDARY PRO RAY FLOYD
(Saratoga Springs, October 13, 1998 ...) State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro announced today that contract negotiations with the High Rock Partnership of Long Island have been completed for development of a new 18-hole golf course at Saratoga Spa State Park.
The High Rock Partnership is a joint venture between Global Golf Inc. of Long Island, Signature Management Group of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., and Signature Course Design of Stuart, Fla. The partnership has enlisted the design talents of Senior PGA Tour player and winner of all three American championships Raymond Floyd, for the development of the new golf course at Saratoga Spa State Park. The Raymond Floyd Design Co. of Palm Beach, Fla., will design the championship course in conjunction with Signature Course Design and Blue Bell, Pa.
Floyd most recently used his skills as an architect and his experience as a longtime Doral Open participant to restore Doral's "Blue Monster." The restoration received excellent reviews by the players during the Doral/Ryder Open. "Ray Floyd has demonstrated his talents in the golf course design business and has more than a dozen projects to his credit," said Commissioner Castro."To every project he brings a unique knowledge of shotmaking to create a design strategy for challenging and memorable golfing."
A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Floyd has won 60 major golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open, the Masters, and a PGA championship, and more than $16 million worldwide during his illustrious career. The PGA of America also acknowledged Floyd as a devoted husband and father when the golfing organization choose the Floyds as the 1994 Golf Family of the Year.
Floyd's credentials as a professional golfer are significant. He has won all three American major championships, was the fourth youngest player to win on the PGA Tour, and the oldest player at the time to win the United States Open. He is the only player to win both the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour in the same year. Floyd has been a member of eight Ryder Cup teams and captain of the 1989 team.
Commissioner Castro also viewed development of a new golf course at Saratoga Spa State Park as a boost to tourism for New York and the Capital District and another example of the public and private sectors working together for better outdoor recreational activities.
"This new development will only enhance golfing, year-round tourism and economic opportunities in Saratoga Springs," said Commissioner Castro. "Private investment in park facilities is not only acceptable, but should be encouraged."
"This new golf course will bring more people from the region, the state, and the entire nation to enjoy Saratoga," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "That means more tourism, more jobs, and a stronger local economy. The involvement of High Rock Partnership and Ray Floyd is very exciting and will ensure a beautiful and challenging course. I wish to thank Governor Pataki and Commissioner Castro for adding another jewel to the treasure that is Saratoga."
"Governor Pataki and Commissioner Castro have seen fit to move ahead with the building of a new golf course on land purchased about 35 years ago to build a new golf course," said Assemblyman Robert D'Andrea (R-Saratoga Springs). "This golf course is being built entirely with private funds and will expedite the building of a new hotel on private land adjacent to the golf course.
Neal Trabich, president of High Rock Partnership, added that "Saratoga Springs is a "jewel city" in the New York State crown. The championship golf course we hope to build will compliment the existing two courses and give Saratoga Springs the recognition as an important golf destination city."
In addition to the agreement between The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and High Rock Partnership to develop the new golf course, High Rock has also proposed to operate and maintain the existing 18-hole and 9-hole public courses located within the park, the proposed 19 Hole Restaurant, and the park's golf professional license when those contracts expire in 1999 and 2002.
Economic benefits of a new golf course at the Saratoga State Park are expected to be significant. The new course should attract a minimum of 40,000 rounds of golf annually with a substantial number of players coming from outside the immediate Capital District. The developers anticipate hiring 15 employees with an annual payroll of about $350,000.
"The agenda put forward by Governor Pataki is impacting on the local level with new jobs and an opportunity to increase recreation and tourism," said Jack Kelly, vice president of the Saratoga Economic Development Agency. "The new golf course reinforces the belief that Saratoga Springs and New York are destination points for people. This development will have a strong tourism impact on the community."
Commissioner Castro said the first step in developing the new golf course will be the Environmental Review process which will begin immediately. Once the environmental impact study is completed, a more detailed economic analysis will be available.