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Cabo San Lucas Country Club Reopens

Cabo San Lucas Country Club, one of the oldest and most centrally located golf facilities in Los Cabos, has successfully completed a major renovation project.

According to Alfonso Terrazas Cecena, the club’s project manager, “We needed to demonstrate to visitors and the community that Cabo San Lucas Country Club was not wiped out by Tropical Storm Lidia in September, 2017. We were hurt (by torrential rains), but the damage was superficial and certainly not catastrophic. We’ve bounced back as part of a five-month renovation project, and I believe we’ve succeeded in restoring confidence and credibility in the club.”

Located just minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas and the only course in Los Cabos with views of the iconic sea arch and rock formations at Land’s End, the Country Club’s original 18-hole course was laid out by Roy Dye, brother of Pete Dye. The course was completed by Roy’s son Matt Dye, a second-generation architect.

The parkland-style layout, previously one of the longest and most challenging courses in Los Cabos, has been significantly remodeled. Now stretching to 6,852 yards (par 71) from the black tees, the Country Club compares favorably to golf courses in Palm Springs, California. Gently rolling fairways girdled by waste bunkers, cardon cactus, palo blanco trees and colorful bougainvillea characterize the layout. Tall stony mountains frame the course to the north. Lakes bring water into play at seven holes, notably at the testing par-4 ninth and 18th holes, where a large rock-rimmed lagoon protects each green.

Agustin Piza, a Mexican designer who has worked extensively throughout Latin America, altered several holes to improve sightlines and enhance playability. In particular, the club’s back nine was shortened and its corridors widened to expand the layout’s ocean views. The new and revised holes feature improved flexibility from the forward tees, better risk-reward scenarios from the back tees, and more undulating greens. Bunkers throughout the course were reshaped and upgraded. Pruning of trees and vegetation has created a breezier, links-style environment. The club, readily accessible by area hotels and cruise ship passengers, also features the only lighted driving range in Los Cabos.

In the wake of the remedial work by Piza, holes one through seven remain the same, while the par-3 eighth and par-4 ninth holes were swapped for the par-3 17^th and par-4 18^th holes, respectively.

The most noticeable changes are found on the back nine, specifically holes 10 through 16. The par-4 10^th plays from the same set of tee boxes as the original hole, but a friendlier green closer to the tees enables average players to reach it in regulation. The par-3 11^this a new creation that plays to the site of the old 12^th green, which Piza refashioned into a large, wavy putting surface. The 12^th hole was converted from a brawny par 4 to a sporty par 5, while the par-4 13^th occupies the original hole’s corridor but plays to a remodeled green. The par-3 14^th, stretching to 208 yards, brings a lake into play on the right. At the par-5 16^th, Piza reversed the direction of the hole. The fairway, pointed to the Sea of Cortes, now runs from north to south.

While players have lauded the changes and embraced the layout’s improved playability, the club still presents a firm test. The new greens are larger and more liberally contoured than the original putting surfaces, which are small and relatively flat.

In addition, Cabo San Lucas Country Club still has a few very tough hombres. Among the more daunting holes is the double-dogleg par-5 seventh, which swings around a lake and stretches to 610 yards from the back tees, ranking it among the longest holes in Mexico.

The closing duo is one of the most challenging in Cabo. The par-3 17^th, measuring 226 yards from the tips (205 yards from the white tees), plays uphill into the prevailing wind to a perched, tilted green. The long par-4 18^th, which calls for a blind tee shot over a gentle rise, demands a very accurate approach shot to a green pinched by a lagoon on the left and bunkers on the right.

Future plans call for a pitch ‘n putt course to be built in the vicinity of the driving range. A new clubhouse is also planned. Cabo San Lucas Country Club offers special green fee and driving range specials that include burgers, beers and BBQ ribs. The club’s Viva Restaurant, its spacious outdoor patio set near the practice facility, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

www.visitloscabos.travel

Join New PGA President Suzy Whaley In Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including the iconic Teeth of the Dog course – will host its “Women’s Getaway with Suzy Whaley,” Dec. 7-10.

Whaley, recently elected as the first woman President of the PGA of America, is recognized as one of the country’s top instructors. She was an LPGA Tour member in 1990 and 1993. Most notably, she qualified for and took part in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, becoming the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a PGA TOUR event. She is the PGA Director of Instruction at Suzy Whaley Golf in Cromwell, Conn.

The four-day / three-night stay-and-play is all-inclusive and starts at $1,899 per person (double occupancy). The many highlights include unlimited green fees on all three of the resort’s classic Pete Dye-designed courses and personal instruction by Whaley for the attendees at the resort’s new state-of-the-art, PGA Tour-quality Golf Learning Center highlighted by Trackman and BODITRAK technology.

Also featured are three nights’ Elite Room accommodations (with one cart golf per room); breakfast, lunch and dinner in all resort restaurants (SBG and Minitas Beach Club & Restaurant excluded); unlimited drinks in all hotel bars, restaurants and Oasis bar as well as beverage carts out on the courses; one massage at the Casa de Campo Spa; souvenirs; and complimentary transfers from La Romana, Santo Domingo or Punta Cana airports.

Taxes and service charges are additionally included. For more information, call 809.523.8115 or email m.leonardo@ccampo.com.do.

“When I turned 50 two years ago, my husband surprised me with a trip to Casa de Campo and had our two daughters and a number of my friends meet us down there for one of the great vacations of my life,” says Whaley. “The property is incredible, the golf is outstanding, the setting is breathtaking, and the service is impeccable.”

“It’s a true honor for us to partner with Suzy,” says Jason Kycek, Casa de Campo’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We invite women to join Suzy and us for this wonderful event and discover first-hand why we’re one of the premier golf resorts in the world.”

Casa de Campo is home to three Pete Dye-designed gems: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links. Since opening in 1974, Teeth of the Dog is widely recognized as the No. 1 course in the Caribbean. Golf course architecture aficionados call Dye Fore “the most underrated course in the Caribbean.” The Links showcases Dye’s genius for creating interesting putting surfaces and green complexes.

www.casadecampo.com.do

Golf In Costa Rica Is ‘Pura Vida’

He saw me before I saw him. But then he had the edge — I was on his home turf, playing golf in Costa Rica. The biggest iguana I have ever seen sat motionless 25 yards to my left while I stood on the tee of the par-5 closing hole at Reserva Conchal Beach Resort, Golf & Spa.

If only I had mimicked the focus he exhibited while staring at me, my drive might have found the fairway. And that would have led to a better second. And maybe my approach would have landed on the green, rather than in a pond fronting the green (a shot that’s more uphill than you think). And then my scorecard might not have ended with a bogey.

Fortunately, by then I had embraced the country’s informal national motto : “Pura Vida,” or pure life. It’s only golf, after all.

The hole was a challenging ending to an enjoyable course in a country I knew little about prior to a trip there last year. I heard (but never actually saw) the famous howler monkeys singing their song from trees around the property, drank a new favorite beer (a lager called Imperial), fished in the Pacific thanks to Yellowfin Charters, rode a horse through the countryside and tasted the best fried chicken of my life. But more about that later. First, the golf.

Reserva Conchal has the only Robert Trent Jones II design in Central America, and it’s good enough to have hosted the PGA Tour Latinoamerica Costa Rica Classic the past two years. The inaugural tournament in 2017 — the country’s first PGA TOUR event in more than 30 years — was won by Jose Toledo of Guatemala, while Florida native Tyson Alexander eagled the fifth playoff hole to capture the title this past May.

Set on Costa Rica’s northwest coast in the Guanacaste Region, Reserva Conchal is an hour’s ride from the airport in Liberia (the country’s main airport, in the capital city of San Jose, is approximately five hours to the southeast). A variety of accommodations, ranging from villas, condos and vacation residences to the all-inclusive Westin Golf Resort & Spa Playa Conchal, are available. The latter comes with numerous themed restaurants (the Italian offerings at Faisanella were my favorite), multiple pools, fitness center, spa and beachfront access. Construction is also currently underway for a new W Costa Rica hotel expected to open late this year with 151 rooms and suites in multiple buildings.

Don’t be surprised to hear American accents down there either; the country is a favorite destination for retirees from the U.S. Approximately the size of West Virginia with a population of five million, Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in Latin America. There’s no daylight savings time, the average temperature on the coast is 80 degrees and the Costa Rican colon (named after Christopher Columbus, who discovered Costa Rica in 1502) offers a good exchange rate.

Soccer remains the favorite sport in the country (the national team, which reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2014, failed to advance out of their bracket in 2018) but the course at Reserva Conchal, built in 1996, goes a long way to making golf more visible.

“At that time there were no resorts in Costa Rica,” said Robert Trent Jones II, chairman and master architect at his namesake company. “It was known as an eco-tourism place, one of the first actually. It’s very peaceful, has no army, and a lovely climate. There’s fishing, golf, and friendly people.”

The layout he and his team created exhibits just the right degree of fun and challenge.

“One of the things I like most about the course is that it has a nice rhythm to it,” said Bruce Charlton, president and chief design officer for Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects. “They gave us a very nice canvas to create the best golf holes. We were able to route the course in the way we wanted to.”

golf in costa rica room — A room at Roble Sabana

Unlike his father whose motto was easy bogeys and hard pars, Trent Jones II employs a different philosophy. “We’ve always used a ‘listen to the land’ golf architecture approach,” said Charlton, who noted the company’s design team first roamed the property on horseback. “That means listening to our clients and understanding who will be coming to play the course. You’re on vacation, so why not have some fun?”

Carlos Rojas Soto has been watching guests do just that since taking the job as director of golf at Reserva Conchal in 2007. His favorite hole is the fourth, a 592-yard par-5 that climbs uphill to a green that offers Pacific Ocean views. But it’s not the hardest, especially for the pros.

“That would be the second, a 442-yard par-4,” said Rojas Soto. “The landing area is very narrow with hazards on both sides of the fairway, and the green is protected by a Guanacaste Tree and two deep send traps.”

I’d be happy enough just playing the five par 3s myself, especially the trio on the back nine, which is topped off by the 210-yard 17th requiring a carry over water to a wide but somewhat shallow and well-bunkered green. Speaking of the Bermuda Tifdwarf greens, take careful note of where you are in relation in to the Pacific Ocean to read those properly.

Reserva Conchal was the first course in Costa Rica bestowed certification by Audubon International. In fact, Charlton returned in recent years to focus on water conservation concepts by reducing turf and helping enhance the irrigation system. Various bunkers throughout the course have also been worked on as well.

As for that fried chicken? First my group of travelers took a quick shuttle to a nearby ranch where Casagua Horse Tours, run by an ex-pat American from Michigan, provides horseback rides. After moving slowly and carefully through the countryside and into a local village, we dismounted at a no-frills, town hall-type building without a hint of any restaurant.

A promise of delicious fried chicken sent quizzical looks throughout our group. Here, we wondered? No way. While we waited, a cold Imperial beer hit the spot. Then paper plates full of the promised meal were placed on the wooden picnic tables. One bite was enough to know this was a promise fulfilled, even in the most unlikely of places.

There were smiles all around, and still more golf to come at Reserva Conchal. Pura Vida indeed!

For more information visit www.reservaconchal.com

Olazábal To Design New Greek Golf Courses

greek golf courses costa navarino olazabal

Costa Navarino, one of the world’s premier golf destinations, has forged a partnership with two-time Masters champion and Ryder Cup legend, José María Olazábal, to design two new Greek golf courses in the region of Messinia.

The two new 18-hole courses at Navarino Hills will overlook The Bay Course and the historic Bay of Navarino, set high above the coastline offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Ionian Sea.

Stretching over 150 hectares of garrigue landscape typical in the region famed for its natural beauty, the Navarino Hills property will allow two courses of the highest international standards that will complement and adequately expand the renowned quality golf offer at Costa Navarino.

Work on Olazábal’s signature design, his 20th course construction, has just begun and is expected to open for play by 2021.

Costa Navarino, voted “European Golf Resort of the Year” for 2017 by IAGTO, is already home to one of the world’s premier golf destinations with two multi-award-winning courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, designed by Bernhard Langer and Robert Trent Jones II, respectively.

The Navarino Hills development will bring the total number of signature golf courses at Costa Navarino to four, all under the same management, establishing it as one of the few upscale golf destinations around the world which combine such characteristics. The development further enhances the destination, which due to its ideal climate, lush seaside landscape and direct access, is a unique place to visit throughout the year.

Stephanos Theodorides, Vice-President & Managing Director of TEMES — Developers of Costa Navarino — believes partnering with Olazábal, who has placed a sustainable development strategy at the heart of the design, will enhance Costa Navarino’s position as one of the world’s most distinctive environmentally-friendly golf destinations.

He said: “This announcement represents a milestone moment for Costa Navarino and the region. We are excited to introduce our plans for Costa Navarino’s evolution. Our vision for the destination development always included Navarino Hills as an instrumental component, based on the principles of an eco-retreat. José María Olazábal stands for passion, integrity, and quality. These are principles very close to our hearts and made the decision an easy one to partner with him for this special project.”

Added Olazábal, “What TEMES has created in Costa Navarino is extraordinary and for us to have a chance to play our part in the destination’s legacy fills us with immense pride. The Navarino Hills property is spectacular and the views are simply breath-taking, particularly on the northern edge where you will find it almost impossible to take your eyes off the striking Bay of Navarino, famous for its naval battle history.

“The rest of the site will also quickly win the hearts of golfers with extended views over rolling hills. For us, it is a privilege to have the chance to design not just one but two golf courses and we will do everything to do this incredible land justice and deliver a golfing experience you will want to return to over and over.”

Costa Navarino already features two luxury hotels, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort; private residences; five-star services and facilities; and a range of authentic experiences, with an infrastructure set to grow even further through the addition of new hotels, real estate and further sports and leisure facilities.

www.costanavarino.com

Golf In France: Four Amazing Places To Play

Golf in France isn’t quite as well-known as in some other European countries. It doesn’t have a particularly significant tournament to its name, and when you look at the countries with the most top quality public courses, France doesn’t tend to be listed among them. However, the country is about to command the spotlight of the golf world in a way it doesn’t in any given year. That’s because it’s hosting the Ryder Cup, a Europe versus America event held every two years at sites that alternate between the United States and Europe. It’s a very fun late-season competition, considered by many fans to be as enjoyable as any other to watch, and it will surely bring fresh attention to the French golf culture.

If you’re heading to the 2018 Ryder Cup Sept. 28-30, or planning a trip to France anytime, here’s a short look at some of the best courses to play throughout the country.

Le Golf National

Shown in the photo above, Le Golf National will host the 2018 Ryder Cup, so naturally it’s the first place to talk about. Consistently rated as one of the best courses in France, it’s located just outside of Paris to the west. Relatively narrow fairways on many holes make it a challenging course for drivers, but it’s also a fun one to navigate. It’s most famous for its “stadium-like” finish, with the final four holes laid out in a sort of natural arena complete with pretty ponds that create atmosphere and obstacles alike.

Les Bordes

There may not be a definitive best course in France, but Les Bordes has as good an argument as any, and has earned the top spot in at least a few rankings. It’s laid out like an old world royal retreat because in some ways that’s just what it was. The area that now makes up the course was a hunting ground for a baron in the Loire Valley south of Paris, and still retains a sort of wild atmosphere – which contrasts with the flawless upkeep of the course itself. It’s a dream-like place to play golf, and wonderfully secluded.

Chantilly

Like Le Golf National, Chantilly is a Paris course, and another of the best to play at in all of France. In some ways it actually mimics Les Bordes in that part of the course was once a royal deer park, but here there is also the added charm of Chateau de Chantilly, which looms directly over the course. A piece specifically about why people should golf in France pointed out that the complex also features a pair of museums, which makes it a nice place to hang out even before or after playing your 18 holes.

Prince de Provence

Located in the beautiful Provence region, Prince de Provence is one of the best golf destinations outside of the Paris area. It’s a lush, gorgeous course, and unfortunately one that’s known largely for its exclusivity — which means you may not get the opportunity to play there. If you do though, it should be treated as an opportunity that can’t be missed.

Osprey Valley Named First TPC Property in Canada

Osprey Valley, a collection of three courses just north of Toronto designed by acclaimed Canadian architect Doug Carrick, will join the PGA Tour’s TPC Network of premier golf facilities as TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley and become the first TPC property in Canada.

Known as one of the Greater Toronto Area’s most popular golf destinations, Osprey Valley has provided golfers with a world-class experience for more than 25 years on its three distinctive courses, each of which are ranked in SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Courses in Canada. Effective immediately, it joins as the 33rd property in the TPC Network.

osprey valley toot — TPC Osprey Valley’s Toot Course.

“This is an exciting day for the TPC Network, Osprey Valley and Canadian golfers as we welcome this wonderful facility,” said Jim Triola, PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties Chief Operating Officer. “Canada is the home of many passionate golfers, so we see this as a natural fit to add TPC Toronto as the fifth international TPC facility. This represents another major step forward for this outstanding facility, which already has earned the admiration of so many people in the golf community.”

“We’re extremely proud of this new partnership and the bright future that lies ahead for Osprey Valley,” said Osprey Valley President, Chris Humeniuk. “The TPC brand is known around the world for its network of premier facilities and the quality experience that the PGA Tour brand promises to every player. As we look to the future, we believe that this alignment will help usher in a new and exciting era at Osprey Valley.”

osprey valley hoot — TPC Osprey Valley Hoot Course Photo: Claus Andersen

The Toot Course, one of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s three unique layouts, will also be re-named the North Course effective immediately, with the Heathlands and Hoot courses continuing to offer golfers an unparalleled 54-hole experience.

The Osprey Valley Open, an official Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada event that saw its inaugural playing take place at Osprey Valley in July, will also return in 2019 and beyond, with Mackenzie Tour’s only tournament in the Greater Toronto Area staying as part of a long-term agreement.

“We were absolutely thrilled with the inaugural playing of the Osprey Valley Open this year and look forward to returning for many years to come. The players were delighted to compete at such an outstanding facility, and we look forward to working with the Osprey Valley team to grow the tournament’s profile and impact in the Greater Toronto Area in the future,” said Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday.

Opening in 1992 with the Heathlands course, Osprey Valley quickly developed a reputation among golfers in the Greater Toronto Area as one of the region’s hidden gems, adding two additional courses in 2001 to become a truly unique 54-hole facility. Its three layouts — the rolling, links-style Heathlands; the winding, wasteland-style Hoot; and the lush, pastoral parkland-style North – each offer players a variety of experiences and aesthetics, welcoming all kinds of golfers.

www.tpc.com

Apply For A Job Playing Scotland Golf

Ever dreamed of a job where you just play golf? You could be about to swing into that dream position. A consortium of leading regional marketing groups in Scotland golf are offering one lucky individual a golf job with a difference, albeit it’s not an official job and only temporary for two weeks — but who cares, right?

Scotland is The Home of Golf; it’s where the game began and is one of the best, if not the best golfing destination on the planet.

The marketing group is looking for the right candidate to play golf in all seven regions around Scotland in a golf extravaganza — Ayrshire, Carnoustie Country, the Highlands, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Perthshire, and Fife. He or she will play some of the best courses, unearthing unique golf experiences, sampling amazing Scottish hospitality, food, drink and lots more.

They are now accepting applications for this two week “job” where you will travel the country playing golf along the way. What’s the catch? Just a small one — they will make you work a little by creating amazing content on the courses, at the places you stay, where you eat out and areas you explore, all for you to put together a golfer’s dream come true Golf Guide to Scotland.

The lucky winner will play a Ryder Cup Venue, a course where The Open began, the Number two course in the world as voted by one prominent golf publication, plus many more.

To apply you need to create a short video reviewing your own course or any course in the most fun way (video should be 60 – 90 seconds long). You can use drone footage, phones, cameras or whatever works best for you.

Show off your presenting skills by applying here. Check out a short promo video above and get inspired!

The Job:

Play 2 rounds of golf in each of the 7 regions and bring your best golfing friend along.
14 rounds and 14 days total, plus two travel days.
Visit other golf courses in area and find out some info for interested golfing visitors.
Explore some of the areas’ 19th hole offering for the best of food and drink.
Create Vlogs for YouTube as well as Instagram posts and stories throughout each day and any other forms of media you can think of.
Create a complete Golf Guide on completion of the trip; this will be through a blog as well as YouTube video of your adventure in Scotland Home of Golf.
All golf tee times and lunch at the courses are provided for as will B&B accommodation and car hire/ travel to Scotland
The winner receives an allowance of £750.00GBP (just under $1,000 at current exchange rates) each for the duration of the trip

The contest is now live, and applications close July 27. The winner is announced August 3, with the two weeks running September 1-16.

www.visitscotlandgolf.com/bestgolfjob

Bermuda 3s A True Global Golf Event

The Bermuda 3s, a new team par 3 golf championship matching Pro-Am teams from four international territories, is slated for October 21-26, 2018 in Bermuda.

The event is the creation of two golf industry veterans, former PGA chief executive Joe Steranka and Honda Classic Executive Director Ken Kennerly, and is sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings. Certified PGA Professionals from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe will lead four-person teams and compete individually for a $100,000 purse.

“There is nothing more exciting than representing your country in any endeavor but especially golf,” said Steranka who was instrumental in the growth of the modern-day Ryder Cup. “Bermuda 3s is a celebration of the game and a recognition of the influential role PGA Professionals have around the world.”

Entry fees of $12,500 per team will earn a PGA Professional and their three amateur partners one of 20 places per region and one of golf’s most extraordinary experiences including competition on the fabled Mid Ocean Club, Port Royal Golf Course and Turtle Hill Golf Club; five nights of single accommodations at the Fairmont Southampton on Bermuda’s stunning south shore; and memorable evening functions including opening and closing ceremonies, award winning food and acclaimed Bermuda hospitality.

“For 320 golfers this will be the experience of a lifetime,” said Kennerly, whose company K2 Sports Ventures oversees the Honda Classic and owns The FITTEAM Palm Beaches Marathon. “We’re also excited to have this global coalition of PGA Professionals embrace the Par 3 format which they believe can be a great entry point for golfers new to the game and one which helps established golfers work on their short game.”

We’re delighted to partner with some of the leaders in golf to bring this new event to life out here in Bermuda,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Chief Executive Kevin Dallas. “Ken and Joe were keen to engage with certified PGA professionals from Bermuda’s key feeder markets. We know that Bermuda’s legendary hospitality and amazing courses will deliver an unrivaled experience for participants and look forward to building this into one of the most sought-after invitations in golf.”

Bermuda has been a popular golf destination since hosting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 2007-2014 at Mid Ocean and Port Royal. The Fairmont Southampton served as the host hotel for dozens of major champions and their families.

Register at www.bermuda3s.com

Four Fascinating Caribbean Golf Courses

When you envision a summer getaway to the Caribbean, images of tropical fruit cocktails, pristine sugar-sand beaches, lush sunkissed foliage and turquoise waterfront views probably come to mind. But Caribbean golf should be in the picture, too.

After all, this chain of islands is known for more than its exotic flavors and scenery — the Caribbean is also home to a variety of the world’s most premier golf amenities. Overlooking a panorama of ocean cliffs, rich greenery and native wildlife, these courses entice golfers with their championship layouts, challenging fairways and quintessential island vibe.

So if you’re in the mood for 18 holes during your Caribbean vacation, check out these backdrops for golfing in paradise.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo

This golf course, shown above, earned its name from the jagged, toothy shoreline it was carved from, and it has been ranked among the 50 most prestigious courses in the world. Surrounded by a diverse ecosystem of jungles, beaches and lagoons, Teeth of the Dog is coastal golfing at its most exhilarating. Not to mention, once you’ve conquered that eighteenth hole, the adjacent resort Casa de Campo offers an array of dining, entertainment, wellness, shopping and nightlife options to unwind after your game.

caribbean golf white witch — White Witch, Jamaica

JAMAICA

White Witch at Rose Hall

This golf course has been rated number one in the Caribbean by Conde Nast Traveler, and its proximity to the island’s landmark Rose Hall Plantation hearkens to a bygone colonial past. Tumbling across rugged mountain terrain amidst a sapphire ocean milieu, this course is just as breathtaking as it is thrilling. In addition, Jamaican folklore suggests that White Witch is haunted by the plantation’s nineteenth-century mistress, layering even more fascination and excitement onto this captivating history.

caribbean golf royal isabela — Royal Isabela, Puerto Rico. Photo by Joann Dost

PUERTO RICO

The Links at Royal Isabela

Finally reopened on a limited basis nearly a year after Hurricane Maria barreled across Puerto Rico, this stunning golf course is situated 200 feet above the ocean, flanking craggy bluffs then sloping into sand dunes rustled by the warm Caribbean trade winds. Created with an eco-conscious design where indigenous plants and wildlife thrive, this course is part of an initiative to sustain and protect the area’s natural habitat. The Links is not a traditional course either—its winding layout snakes through obstacles such as bunkers, blind shots and extra holes for the intrepid golfer who enjoys a challenge.

caribbean golf provo — Provo Golf Club, Turks & Caicos

TURKS & CAICOS

Provo Golf Club at Ocean Club Resort

This golf course is different from the others in that it does not overlook the frothy Atlantic, but is enclosed by outcrops of limestone, dense vegetation and inland streams of water. Featuring country club style amenities, which includes a putting green, driving range, pro shop and alfresco restaurant, Provo Golf Club is like its own remote enclave hidden from throngs of summer tourists. If you’re a golfer who takes the game seriously but appreciates leisure too, this course delivers on both.

When you’re on vacation, golfing is an ideal way to remain active and stimulated, while spending time in the great outdoors. The Caribbean is a golfer’s oasis, so pack your clubs and head off to the islands for a round of 18—followed by pina coladas, awe-inspiring sunsets and palm fronds whispering in the breeze.

Greg Norman Designs Three Vietnam Classics

When KN Golf Links Cam Ranh opens on Vietnam’s south-central coast this fall, it will mark the third Greg Norman layout in a country that 10 years ago didn’t possess a single one.

But a lot can happen in a decade, and a lot has in Vietnam, which is now widely considered the premier golf destination in all of Asia thanks in large part to the influx of brand-name courses that have opened since 2008.

The Shark’s first two tracks in Vietnam — The Dunes at BRG Da Nang Golf Resort and The Bluffs at Ho Tram — are undoubtedly among the best of recent vintage. One need only peek into each club’s trophy case for evidence.

How will KN Golf Links Cam Ranh fit into the mix? Splendidly, according to the architect.

“I think they complement each other very well,” said Norman, who has several other projects in the works in Vietnam. “The course in Danang is probably the most player friendly. The Bluffs is dramatic, with really big sand dunes. And KN Golf Links is the best from a playability standpoint. It will appeal to a wide range of players.”

Here’s a closer look at the terrific triumvirate …

greg norman bluffs at ho tran — The Bluffs at Ho Tram (Photo by Paul Macleod)

The Bluffs at Ho Tram

The most acclaimed course in Vietnam might just be the best in Norman’s entire design portfolio, which now exceeds 100. Set among massive sand dunes on a mostly undeveloped piece of coastline not far from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam’s commercial capital), The Bluffs scores big on location.

But give the iconic Australian credit too; he let the twists and turns of the rugged property dictate much of the links-style layout, which Sergio Garcia called “spectacular” after winning an Asian Tour event there in 2015.

The Dunes at BRG Danang Golf Resort

Norman’s first creation in Vietnam is still one of the nation’s finest. Opened in 2010 on a stretch of central-coast beach that was a popular R&R spot for American GIs during the Vietnam War, the course wouldn’t feel out of place in, say, Scotland. It plays hard and fast and wind is always a factor.

But make no mistake: Between the average temperature of that wind (warm) and what still resides behind the 16th green (a weathered, war-time pillbox), you’ll know you’re in ‘Nam.

KN Golf Links Cam Ranh

Scheduled to debut in September, the next links-style Norman experience sits at the southernmost end of a long and gently curving sweep of exquisite white sand that is fast becoming the setting for some of Vietnam’s top luxury hotels. The course itself dips and dives through wild, undulating terrain and offers a number of remarkable viewpoints.

“The scale and topography of the property here lends itself beautifully to a great variety of golf holes,” Norman said during a site visit in March 2018. “There’s a lot of up and down and natural contouring to the course, so you get these sensational visuals from tee boxes especially and really cool run-off areas where the ball can roll and turn.”