Orville A. T. (Tommy) TurnquestCEO, Jack’s Bay Membership & ResortGreencastle, The Bahamas
BACKGROUNDER:
Orville A.T. (Tommy) Turnquest, is a former Parliamentarian and Cupboard Minister and is the Chief Government Officer of Jack’s Bay Resort Growth Restricted.
He’s liable for the coordination and execution of all growth associated actions for the undertaking. As well as, Mr. Turnquest spent over 20 years in entrance line politic and was first elected to the Bahamian Parliament in August 1992 and once more in March 1997.
Mr. Turnquest’s cupboard and governmental expertise additionally contains having served as Minister of Tourism, Minister of the Public Service, Immigration and Nationwide Insurance coverage, Minister of Public Works, Minister of State for the Public Service and Labour Parliamentary Secretary within the Workplace of Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Nationwide Hurricane Aid Committee.
Previous to getting into entrance line politics, Mr. Turnquest served as a senior banking official for eleven years with the Canadian Imperial Financial institution of Commerce (CIBC). Throughout that point, he was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers (FIBC).
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You get up within the morning– what’s the driving ardour?
I consider the huge potential of Jack’s Bay, and the constructive position that it’ll play within the general growth of the Bahamas, notably for the Out Islands. I’ve spent 20 years in front-line nationwide politics within the nation, and I do know the myriad of challenges that the Bahamas faces, and the necessity for growth.
I’m privileged to be main a legacy undertaking that may rework South Eleuthera and never solely turn into a beacon of excellence for your entire nation however an “oasis for the soul” for our members, householders and visitors.
When did the concept for Jack’s Bay come in your radar display and what differentiates the property from different golf associated developments?
In 2014, I used to be invited by the Chairman of the corporate, Sir Franklyn Wilson, to help in overseeing the “Eleuthera portfolio.” Once I stood on the bluff overlooking Jack’s Bay and will see the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean on each side of me, I used to be mesmerized, and it appears to have that very same impact on everybody. This distinctive nook of the world really strikes those that go to.
Along with the 2 golf programs, an current 10-hole Tiger Woods and TGR Design golf course dubbed “The Playground,” and a forthcoming 18-hole Nicklaus Heritage™ course, Jack’s Bay has 4 miles of gorgeous seashores, blue holes, hidden cave techniques, a non-public meditation lake generally known as “Thriller Lake,” a sea turtle sanctuary, pure coral reefs, and the Lagoon pier with a future dry storage boat dock for vessels underneath 40 ft.
Guests to Jack’s Bay even have unimaginable entry to different outside pursuits akin to deep-sea fishing, crabbing, lobstering, fly fishing, biking, mountain climbing, freediving, a Sports activities Pavilion, and extra.
These nature-based experiences and outside pursuits mixed with the property’s rolling hills, topography, and 70-foot elevations, differentiates Jack’s Bay from different golf-focused developments. We may also keep a low inhabitants density with roughly 50% safeguarded as open house to not disrupt the land and tradition of South Eleuthera.
What made you resolve to safe the involvements of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus respectively and the way difficult was it doing so?
In 2016, we visited Blue Jack Nationwide in Houston and that led to us securing Tiger’s involvement. Jack Nicklaus was all the time personally considering Eleuthera from a {golfing} and fishing perspective, and we had about three or 4 conferences with him and the Nicklaus Design group over the previous eight years concerning Jack’s Bay.
Nonetheless, we had been by no means in a position to safe a deal till 2022 once we signed a design and branding settlement with Nicklaus, and that led to the beginning of the very first Nicklaus Heritage™ course on the earth.
The 18-hole structure being created is underneath the brand new Heritage model inside the broader Nicklaus design umbrella. How and why did that particular association come about?
In assembly with the group at Nicklaus, they indicated to us that Jack’s Bay supplied all of the attributes that might enable them to create a brand new high model over their Signature Model, that might final in perpetuity.
Are any made-for-TV golf occasions being deliberate for the positioning and what would be the most size / par for the structure?
We’ve got not but thought-about doing so however we’re not ruling it out.
Who do you see being a member of Jack’s Bay and can all memberships want approval from you?
Jack’s Bay will supply generational membership at completely different ranges and each can be permitted on a case-by-case foundation.
We’re contemplating non-residential memberships however are dedicated to retaining our membership complete to not more than 395 to keep up exclusivity. Nonetheless, we envision all our actual property house owners changing into members of the Jack’s Bay Membership.
Buyer / member service is routinely touted by many developments. Outline the time period and the method that can be adopted at Jack’s Bay.
Provided that Jack’s Bay could have a low inhabitants and membership density, we will supply our guests a extra customized and curated stage of service with understated luxurious and household enjoyable on the forefront.
The Jack’s Bay group may also oversee each property and rental administration for householders so that there’s a constant method to hospitality.
We’ve got assembled a world-class group of people and corporations who’ve distinctive expertise within the luxurious life-style, golf, residential and resort house. Main such a time has been a humbling however rewarding expertise.
You possibly can play anyone course globally and becoming a member of you might be three individuals whether or not alive now or useless. The place do you play and who’re the three becoming a member of you for 18 holes?
Whereas I’m not a golfer myself, I’d say my dream trio can be Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Patrick Mahomes.
If I may make it a fivesome I’d add Jack Nicklaus and play at Jack’s Bay, after all.
In the event you may change one factor in golf unilaterally — what would it not be and why?
There’s a cause why The Cradle Quick Course at Pinehurst Golf Resort will get extra play than a few of the most well-known golf programs on the earth and that’s as a result of it’s enjoyable. Making the game extra enjoyable and approachable is the one factor that I might change in golf unilaterally.
This pattern is on full show at Jack’s Bay’s Tiger Woods and TGR Design “Playground” course the place gamers are inspired to go barefoot and get artistic with the sport. We would like this course, in addition to the Nicklaus Heritage course, to turn into a spot the place households can go to recollect why they love the sport.
Full the sentence — Tommy Turnquest is –
Captivated with growth within the Bahamas, and the development of Bahamians.
Once I was Minister of Tourism, I all the time thought if we established the Bahamas as an fulfilling, protected, and interesting place for locals, guests would naturally flock there.
Jack’s Bay is headed up by deep-rooted Bahamians who perceive and recognize the attributes of the nation, and it’s our mandate to create a culturally wealthy and genuine residential neighborhood loved for generations to return.
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