World-leading golf course designer Jack Nicklaus II: Country Garden's Forest City well on its way to becoming a new landmark for sports and leisure

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, July 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 20, the "Development of Emerging Tourism in the Iskandar Development Region of Malaysia" - themed forum was held at the Seashell International Club in Forest City, the large-scale residential development project being undertaken by Chinese property developer Country Garden Holdings. World-renowned golf course designer Jack Nicklaus II, Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive Ismail Ibrahim and Johor Golf Tourism Association president Colonel Mohammed Jamal Salleh, among several keynote speakers, joined a large number of golf and travel enthusiasts from Singapore and Malaysia at the event.

The forum received positive feedback from the participants

Jack Nicklaus, known as Golfer of the Century/Millennium

Jack Nicklaus II

Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive Ismail Ibrahim

Forest City chief strategy officer Yu Runze delivering a speech

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his son draw up a blueprint for golf courses in Forest City

Forest City Phase Two project encompasses an area of over 8 square kilometres. The first course, among the three 18-hole golf courses planned in Forest City, was jointly designed by world-famous golf course designer Jack Nicklaus and his eldest son Jack Nicklaus II.

Jack William Nicklaus, one of the most successful professional golf players in the USA, was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George Walker Bush, former president of the United States, at the White House. On the heels of his outstanding achievements, he was the only non-royal (the royals receiving the honour being the Queen of England and the last Queen Mother), to have an image bearing his likeness appear on British pound notes while living.

As the eldest son of Jack Nicklaus, known as Golfer of the Century and Golfer of the Millennium, Jack Nicklaus II demonstrated his inherent talent in golf when he was a child and began his professional career with impressive achievements. Subsequently, he stood out as a golf course designer. He is now president of Nicklaus Design, which has a proven track record of having architected 31 golf courses worldwide.

Jack Nicklaus II said he was impressed with the size and accomplishments of the Forest City project. He observed that the construction completed to date is just a portion of the larger project and that more exciting support facilities, including golf courses, will be rolled out in the near future.

Forest City will help create a new tourist destination in Asia and open up new opportunities

Ismail Ibrahim noted that taking into account tourism's ongoing and future impact on the economy, society and environment, the region will continue to be committed to sustainable tourism characterised by balanced development.

"Tourism is one of the major forces driving our economy. We expect the tourism industry in Johor to maintain its strong growth over next few years. Iskandar aims to bring in more income by attracting more tourists, which will contribute to local economic development, help create over 30,000 jobs and provide small- and medium-sized businesses with new opportunities," said Ismail Ibrahim at the forum.

He also predicted that the combination of golf courses with other tourism products and projects in Iskandar will help the region become a preferred destination for golfers and tourists. As Forest City further develops, the project will continue to play a key role in Iskandar's transformation into one of the world's key travel and tourism destinations.

Forest City speeds up the launch of a series of projects spanning a wide range of industries

Forest City is accelerating the launch of a wide range of projects covering multiple industries, including an approved free trade zone and a duty-free shop that is scheduled to open soon. Once the construction of the golf courses is finished, eco-tourism is expected to develop into one of the region's thriving sectors. Shattuck-St. Mary's School, a leading US-based private boarding school, will start recruitment for teachers and staff for its planned education and training facility to be opened in August 2018 there. Taiwan-based MJ Group, a leading healthcare management firm, plans to launch the trial operation of its healthcare facility on July 7, with the aim of providing Forest City's multinational resident community with world-class health management services.

A new destination for tourism, sports and leisure in Asia is on the road to completion, creating many new and exciting business opportunities for all involved.

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