"The Lonnie Poole course has been a very special project for myself, Erik and Brandon. We all have some roots in North Carolina and we're very excited to see the project become such a success for the school and community." said Palmer. "The course also provides an excellent example to students on how to design a "green" course that is sensitive to the environment."

"This golf course is pure golf." said APDC Excecutive Vice President Erik Larsen. "No interruptions from housing or roads. Just a great walk on beautiful rolling NC land. Big views to the Raleigh skyline, pleasant streams, thick woods and open meadows all contribute to the round of golf. Bunkers are big and nasty looking, however the golf course is easier than it looks. Perfectly maintained Bermuda fairways and tees, plus bent grass greens contrast dramatically with the native roughs and woodlands. This course has US Open qualities. This players course will be fun for everyone to play, certainly to look at and just enjoy being there."

Larsen continues with his alumni perspective. "As an Alumni, I am very proud of the quality of the golf course. It has been a great reward to give something back to NC State by virtue of what the university taught me; design. Working for Arnold Palmer has provided many incredible opportunities, but this rates as one of the best for me personally. The course will be a gem for the teams, recreation, horticulture and agronomy for NC State."

APDC architect Brandon Johnson had heart-felt Alumni sentiments toward the project as well. "I was always extra excited to make site visits because I felt like I was coming home. It is certainly a dream come true and an opportunity of a lifetime to work with Mr. Palmer and Erik on designing the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State University. Another satisfying experience during the course of the project was being able to reconnect with two of my most influential design professors, Art Rice and Fernando Magallanes, who I owe many thanks for their support and guidance."

Johnson talks about Lonnie Poole and reminisced further about his deeply rooted connection to the course. "To hear Lonnie Poole tell his story of putting together the donation funds for the golf course and the great deal he got in 1997 takes me back. In 1997, I graduated from NC State and shortly before graduation I visited Claude McKinney at Centennial Campus to talk about the proposed golf course. I remember walking away from my visit thinking 'I sure missed getting to play the golf course as a student'. But 12 years later I was lucky enough to be involved as a professional to help design the course. In retrospect, I think I got the better part of that deal."

The News & Observer wrote: "It’s a golf course that offers interesting topographical contrasts. The front nine is more wooded, the holes intermingled with small streams. The back nine has more dramatic elevation changes — and more scenery. Stand on the 11th tee and the Raleigh skyline is more than visible — it’s close at hand, with the tee less than two miles from the city center. Visitors also can see the university’s Bell Tower in the distance."

"The thing I like best about this course is that you could put it anywhere and it would be a fantastic course, but when you put it with the views of the city and the proximity to downtown …" said Chip Watson of Carolinas Golf Group and the general manager of the golf course. “Arnold Palmer said it best: ‘We’ve never built a course anywhere close to a city like that.’”

"We hope to have designed a fun, beautiful and strategically challenging golf course that the University and the public will enjoy and compete on for a long time." said Palmer. "We wanted to use the natural big roll of the property to help dictate hole strategy and options for play. On the majority of the holes, we wanted that days' pin position to influence strategy and decision making on the tee."

"The player will find on some fairways unusually wide in spots, like holes 5 and 7. Without careful study, that feeling of width may lull one into a false sense of security off the tee. For example on hole 5, if you're in the fairway to the right, your approach shot will be hindered by the treeline. Players will need to have some experience on the course to be able to fully understand the ideal angles and lies to play from."

On Aug. 15-16, the V Foundation will hold its Golf Classic for Cancer Research at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course, a fitting host site for fans and friends of Jim Valvano.

View the full press conference TV coverage from WRAL – 25 minutes: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/rs/video/5700313/

ABOUT THE ARNOLD PALMER DESIGN COMPANY
The Arnold Palmer Design Company has long been regarded as one of the premier companies in the golf course architectural industry. Founded 37 years ago in 1972, APDC has created approximately 300 courses around the world. APDC's design philosophy is straightforward: to design beautiful golf courses that are fun to play while maintaining the utmost respect for nature. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, at Arnold Palmer’s winter home, the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, this location allows clients to come enjoy Palmer's world-class resort and play on the renowned golf course which hosts the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard on the PGA Tour. For more information on the Arnold Palmer Design Company call (407) 876-1068 or visit www.arnoldpalmerdesign.com.