At 86, Jack Nicklaus is partnering with Dodgers owner Mark Walter to build Nokosi, a private golf club on a shuttered 153-acre course in western Palm Beach County. Here is what we know about the project and how it fits the region's ultra-private club wave.
Key Takeaways
- The former Sherbrooke Golf & Country Club site sold for $15 million in October 2025.
- Gary Nicklaus (Jack's son) will lead operations and development for the new club.
- Nokosi joins a wave of ultra-private golf clubs launching in northern Palm Beach County.
When a shuttered golf course in Lake Worth traded for $15 million last fall, the buyer was a Delaware LLC that revealed little. Now we know what is happening. Jack Nicklaus, the greatest major champion in golf history, is partnering with billionaire Mark Walter (LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, Chelsea FC, Cadillac F1) through TWG Global to transform the site into Nokosi: a strictly private, limited-membership club built around family and legacy.
This is not a branded resort or a real estate play with a golf amenity attached. It is a private club with a Nicklaus-designed course, dining, fitness, wellness, event facilities, and golf training. Gary Nicklaus (Jack's son) will oversee operations. Course redesign is already underway, with first rounds expected by the end of 2026. The clubhouse and other amenities will follow.
What is Nokosi and where is it located?
Nokosi will occupy the former Sherbrooke Golf & Country Club site at 6270 Lyons Road, Lake Worth, FL 33467. The property spans 153 acres in western Palm Beach County, west of the Florida Turnpike and east of State Road 441.
As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast: "When people hear Lake Worth, a lot of them think East Lake Worth, but with a golf course you are really talking West Lake Worth, closer to Wellington. This site is west of the Turnpike and east of 441, so it sits in that western Palm Beach County corridor. That location matters because this is where you can still find land at this scale."
The developer entity, GNP Lantana LLC, acquired the property for $15 million in October 2025. The operating entity is called 20 Majors LLC (named for Jack's 20 major championship victories), a partnership between the Nicklaus family and TWG Global. Plans include a redesigned 18-hole course, dining, fitness, wellness facilities, and golf training. Course redesign is targeted for completion by the end of 2026, with clubhouse construction to follow.
Who is behind the project?
Jack Nicklaus: The Golden Bear is 86 years old and has designed more than 425 golf courses in more than 45 countries. He is a resident of Lost Tree Village in North Palm Beach, where he also designed the golf course in 2002. His 20 major championship titles remain the all-time record.
Mark Walter: Co-founder and CEO of Guggenheim Partners. Forbes estimates his net worth at $6.1 billion. Walter co-owns the LA Dodgers (through Guggenheim Baseball Management), holds a majority stake in the LA Lakers, owns Chelsea FC, and backs the Cadillac F1 Team. His involvement through TWG Global signals serious capital behind Nokosi.
Gary Nicklaus: Jack's son will lead operations and development. This is the first project of a newly formed Nicklaus family development group.
An important piece of context: In March/April 2026, Jack and TWG (through 20 Majors LLC) purchased the Nicklaus Companies out of bankruptcy for $35.7 million. That deal gave Jack back ownership of the Golden Bear trademark and his design business. Nokosi is now under the newly reconstituted Nicklaus Design entity, meaning the family has full control over the brand and execution.
Looking for homes near private golf communities in Palm Beach County? Talk to a Wellington area real estate agent who understands this market. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (561) 556-9853.
How does Nokosi fit Palm Beach County's private club wave?
Nokosi is not happening in isolation. Northern Palm Beach County has become the epicenter of ultra-private golf club development, and the pattern is clear: high-net-worth individuals are not just buying homes in South Florida. They are creating members-only communities that control their social environment.
The Bear's Club, Jupiter: The Nicklaus-designed club that established the template. Members include Michael Jordan and Rory McIlroy. Estimated initiation around $350,000 with $12,000 annual dues. Homes trade between $15 million and $38.5 million. We covered a $34 million Bear's Club sale earlier this year.
Grove XXIII (Michael Jordan): Jordan's personal project separate from The Bear's Club. Members already include Mark Wahlberg, Wayne Gretzky, and Bret Baier. We covered The Grove's development in detail.
Apogee (Steve Ross + Michael Pascucci): A planned private club with an 18-hole course and 54 villas for member use. Steve Ross is betting big on Wellington, and this project is part of that push.
Atlantic Fields (Discovery Land Company): A 1,500-acre development with an 18-hole course, equestrian facilities, a farm, and 317 single-family homes. Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer reportedly sold his Jupiter home for $23 million with plans to buy in Atlantic Fields.
High Ridge Country Club (Lantana): Approximately 2 miles from Nokosi. Estimated initiation around $100,000. Golfweek ranked it among the top 10 private courses in Florida.
Larry put it this way: "These clubs are super legit. It is not amateur-hour execution. They are ultra-private, usually golf-focused, and designed for a very specific high-end buyer or member."
Understanding how country club dues affect home values is essential for buyers considering properties near these communities.
What does this mean for buyers near Wellington and Lake Worth?
The Nokosi development reinforces the direction of western Palm Beach County. Wellington has long been known for equestrian communities and a more spacious, private lifestyle compared to the coast. Now, with Nokosi, Grove XXIII, Apogee, and Atlantic Fields all in various stages of development, the area is becoming a destination for ultra-private golf and lifestyle clubs.
For buyers, this signals continued demand for large-lot properties, privacy, and access to exclusive amenities. Homes near these clubs (or with membership potential) are likely to command premiums as the clubs come online and establish their reputations.
The UAE investment in Wellington's equestrian scene is another example of international capital flowing into this corridor. The Nokosi project adds another layer of prestige to a market already attracting significant wealth.
Larry summed it up: "The Nicklaus course in Lake Worth is another sign that Palm Beach County's private club market is moving fast. A shuttered golf course is being reimagined into a modern, limited-membership club with one of the biggest names in golf behind it. It fits the larger trend of South Florida catering to wealth, exclusivity, golf, wellness, and private lifestyle communities."
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will Nokosi open in Lake Worth?
The redesigned golf course is targeted for completion by the end of 2026, with first rounds expected shortly after. Clubhouse and other amenities will begin construction after the course opens, so full club operations will likely extend into 2027 or beyond.
How much will Nokosi membership cost?
Membership fees have not been publicly announced. Given the caliber of the partners (Jack Nicklaus, Mark Walter/TWG Global) and the ultra-private positioning, initiation fees are expected to be substantial. Comparable clubs like The Bear's Club have estimated initiation fees of around $350,000.
Who owns the former Sherbrooke Golf & Country Club site?
GNP Lantana LLC, a Delaware entity, acquired the 153-acre property for $15 million in October 2025. The operating entity for Nokosi is 20 Majors LLC, a partnership between the Nicklaus family and Mark Walter's TWG Global.
Is Nokosi connected to a residential development?
Based on current announcements, Nokosi is being developed as a private members-only club with golf, dining, fitness, wellness, and event facilities. There has been no public announcement of an attached residential development, unlike Atlantic Fields (317 homes) or Apogee (54 villas).
How does Nokosi compare to Michael Jordan's Grove XXIII?
Both are ultra-private, invitation-style clubs focused on golf and exclusivity. Grove XXIII is Michael Jordan's personal project with members including Mark Wahlberg and Wayne Gretzky. Nokosi is a Nicklaus family project backed by Mark Walter. Both reflect the same trend: high-net-worth individuals creating private communities in Palm Beach County.
Local help for buyers and investors in Wellington and Lake Worth
If you are buying, selling, or investing in Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, or Loxahatchee, understanding the private club landscape matters. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.
For practical, hands-on support across western Palm Beach County, call (561) 556-9853.
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