Golf & Tennis Golf & Tennis

PLAY TIME!

Golf

Tee-off at one of St. Croix’s exceptional golf courses!

Carambola Golf Club & Country Club –340-778-5638

Leatherback turtles first start arriving on St. Croix in late February, but their nesting season peaks in May. It takes about 60 days from when the mother turtle lays her eggs in the sand to when those eggs hatch and tiny turtles emerge. Unfortunately, the nesting Leatherback population has declined significantly over the last few years, so we want to give them all the help we can.

On April 15, from 8:30-10:30am, the SEA is holding a Beach Cleanup at the Southgate Coastal Reserve to give hatchling sea turtles a clean beach to start their long lives!

During nesting season, mama turtles and hatchlings face various dangers. Trash on the beach can trap emerging hatchlings, be mistaken for food in the ocean, or get wrapped around adult turtles. And, as mother turtles get close to the beach to emerge from the water and nest, they will have to dodge speeding boats that aren’t watching for them!

Hatchling turtles also face dangers even while they incubate in the sand. Beach bonfires built on or near turtle nests will cook the incubating turtles, and since mother turtles are so adept at covering their nests, it is very difficult to know exactly where the eggs are under the sand. Please avoid beach fires during nesting season or raise the fire off the sand with a fire pit, which also helps keep ashes and nails off the beach. During the last big cleanup, we found 1,016 nails in one bonfire pit alone from the pallets that were used!

Just a few simple actions can help turtles and give them a better chance at a long life. Let’s prepare for our Leatherback homecoming together!

Open 6 days a week, 7:30 am – 4 pm. Closed Mondays. Commissioned by Laurence Rockefeller, as the centerpiece of a luxury Caribbean resort complex, and designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a beautiful, challenging par-72, 18-hole course that stretches over 7,000 yards with water hazards coming into play on 7 holes. Carambola opened in 1966 to rave reviews and was considered by the master designer himself to be one of his finest courses. A great golfing treasure, it is the finest course in the Virgin Islands. This course is a Caribbean gem and a “must play” for any true lover of the game. Pro Shop. Clubs and cart rentals. Call for rates, specials, and tee times. 72 Estate River. www.golfcarambola.com

The Buccaneer Hotel – 340-712-2144

Open 7 days a week beginning at 7:30am.

An East End, 18-hole course that takes the player over rolling hills to the water’s edge with incredible views! Call for rates and tee times. Pro Shop. www.thebuccaneer.com

The Reef Golf Course – 340-773-8844

Open 7 days a week, 7am – 5pm

A 9-hole course, Par 35, with a driving range. Carts and rental clubs, golf lessons, Golf Shop. Also on site, an 18-hole Disc Golf course. Rental discs available. Pickle Ball, Tennis. Membership Rates, Greens Fees, Events, and Twilight pricing at www.reefcondosusvi.com, Facebook

Tennis

Open to the public. Stay tournament-ready!

The Buccaneer Hotel – 340-712-2143

Open Mon – Fri, 8 - 11am and 3 - 6pm; Sat, 811am. Pro Shop open same hours as the courts. Eight East End courts; lighted courts by appointment. Pro Shop and Game Match Service. Tennis Pro available for lessons. Call to reserve court time. www.thebuccaneer.com