Golf

WHO’S WHO OF BARBADOS GOLF

The Green Monkey at Sandy Lane Country Club

When you talk about golf in the Caribbean it concurs with sand, sea and sunshine. There is a ring of opulence about a Caribbean holiday and when you add your favourite sport it is pretty much utopia. We don’t take it for granted, but we have been blessed with beautiful sunshine throughout most of the year, turquoise blue sea and idyllic beaches. We’re very proud of our little piece of the rock and it is no surprise that it has been at the top of the holiday destination ladder for many years. Barbados has added some spectacular golf courses to add to your pleasure…

When it comes to golf it is different strokes for different folks. You can be a high or low handicapper, hilly or flat courses, but it caters for everyone. Some of the scenery is stunning with idyllic vistas and the courses have been superbly manicured and maintained. Most clubs have first-rate practice facilities, golf lessons, carts, high-tec distance rangers, hired clubs and online tee times. All of the clubhouses offer changing rooms, excellent merchandise and restaurants. Barbados has five clubs-Apes Hill Golf Resort, Sandy Lane Country Club, Royal Westmoreland Golf Club, Barbados Golf Club and Rockley Golf Club.

Dubbed the jewel in the Caribbean, the Sandy Lane Hotel has been the haunt for many of the rich and famous for years. The golf course has always been an integral part of the hotel, but when the hotel was demolished and then splendidly rebuilt, the golf course also was transformed to become The Sandy Lane Country Club. But not just another 18-hole course, it was to become one of the most prestigious golf resorts in the Caribbean. The original 18-hole design was divided to enable The Sandy Lane Old Nine that was much-loved by returning hotel guests, to continue as a 9 hole course. In addition, two superb 18-hole courses designed by renowned golf designer Tom Fazio, and a magnificent clubhouse added to the 9-hole design. The Country Club is alongside the Green Monkey course and close to the Old Nine which is a short distance from the hotel. The clubhouse has stunning views overlooking the West coast and has been enhanced with a restaurant, Pro Shop, locker rooms, befitting to the most famous hotel in the Caribbean. As for golf, it offers the complete golf experience with three top quality courses, golf tuition, practice range, hired clubs and hospitality. The Old Nine course was constructed in 1961 and hasn’t changed much. It meanders alongside some of the most spectacular property in Barbados. Monkeys amble by regularly, and sometimes appear threatening, but they are amicable with golfers on the fairways and won’t attack. However, best not to lift or feed them. Use carts rather than walk. The signature hole and most photographed is # seven, a wedge or 9-iron at most as the elevated tee box sits 100 feet above. The last # nine is a terrific hole with high risk and high reward. The Country Club at the main clubhouse hosted the 2006 World Championship of golf won by Bernard Langer and Marcel Siem, and perhaps infamously when Tiger and Elen Woods exchanged their nuptials two years later on an ill-fated marriage. The Country Club course is beautifully landscaped with attractive shrubbery, trees and five little lakes. The old 18-hole design forms part of the current nine to produce an excellent challenge for both professionals and low handicappers to the less ambitious amateurs. The 7,060 yards course is par 72. All of the greens and many of the fairways are protected by bunkers. Wind also plays an important role. Most of the wind is down towards the West coast, but it can be tough uphill. It is possible to reach the green at # 3 downward at 353 yards, but uphill # 6 is a slog. Thankfully it is a par five, but beware the bunkers and the narrow approach to the green. The Green Monkey is very special and spectacular. Fazio has produced a masterpiece of golf design maximising the assets that nature has provided. The design has been sculptured in an old limestone quarry with towering rock faces, lush fairways, rolling hills and beautiful shrubbery. Many golfers believe it is a chance in a lifetime to experience what is a unique environment. Without doubt, the signature hole at the 16th is magnificent. Grass carved in the shape of a monkey within the bunkers is awesome, but the green is surrounded by soaring rock faces and a beautiful lake that will swallow the errant shot of an aggressive golfer. The 16th is 226 yards at its longest, although downhill, but it demands pinpoint accuracy to escape with a par 3. The 7,343 yards par 72 course features the quarry design in most places and when the wind blows it is a tough test of golf. With three courses and its grandeur Sandy Lane Golf Club is exceptional. Yes, it comes at a cost, although it is discounted when you stay at the hotel.

Sandy Lane Country Club

Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed the Royal Westmoreland Golf course and made the most of its rolling slopes, gullies, rock faces, lakes and idyllic scenery on the West Coast. The stunning sunset at the end of the day is something to behold. The Royal Westmoreland complex is a gated community with stringent security. Many golfers live or own in the complex, as real estate ownership and rentals is big business. It has attracted several celebrities from all over the world including former Masters champion Ian Woosnam and former England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney. The villas within Royal Westmorland are very attractive for golfing holidays. The clubhouse is idyllic and well stocked for refreshments, dining, Pro Shop, shops and club hire. Other sports include tennis, gym and walks as the entire community has magnificent vistas throughout. Although Royal Westmoreland is a gated community, visitors are welcome although tee times may be limited in the busy holiday period around Christmas. The course is 7,045 yards par 72. At its longest it can be set very demanding, but it is also user-friendly and less competitive as required. Some golfers rank the par 3s as the best in the world. There are four great holes, which at longest can be 217 yards or at least 102. However, each has its own challenges. The 3rd hole has various elevations, but anything short has huge problems. The 7th is protected by a little lake in front of the green and bunkers abound. The wind is almost impossible to determine when it blows, although you can bail out on the right. However, a par will be difficult depending on the pin position.

Royal Westmoreland

APES HILL GOLF RESORT

After new ownership several years ago, the course was closed for extensive work and redesign and is expected to re-start in November. Irish golfer Roddy Carr is no stranger to golf design and has worked with Seve Ballesteros for many years. He has been credited with the rebirth of the Barbados Golf Club several years ago and is now heavily involved in the design of Apes Hill. His article in this publication is packed with exciting innovative changes and promises to be one of the most spectacular in the Caribbean. Who better than Roddy to update us in his article!

Apes Hill Golf Resort

BARBADOS GOLF CLUB

Situated close to the airport the Barbados Golf Club has been largely responsible for promoting the development of young players, but also the home of golf for many local businessmen and retirees. Visitors are welcome, and over the years it has been popular with cruise ship guests. The club was closed for nearly 30 years, but Roddy Carr and his investors did a terrific job in restoring the fairways and building a new clubhouse. Nowadays we take it for granted, as the clubhouse has a lively atmosphere with restaurant, bar, Pro Shop, locker rooms, clubs for hire and carts. The membership is strong and visitors are welcomed from all over the world. Golf lessons are available and the golf range and putting green has been an important asset for aspiring young golfers. Roddy Carr was responsible for establishing a much better course, more user-friendly. Yes the wind can be strong, but the design made better use of drainage and a lake. Every hole is different and there are numerous doglegs to challenge most golfers. The course is relatively flat, but strategic use of trees and bunkers can make life difficult for most. The fairways are wide and the greens are excellent. The course can be set difficult for tournaments, but also user-friendly for the happy amateur. Some of the holes are excellent and features Barbados’s version of the ‘Amen corner.’ The 16th green requires a straight tee shot 160 yards over the lake with the wind against and an elevated green. It’s a daunting tee shot as the lake swallows hundreds of balls every year! The 18th is a par five approaching the clubhouse with a little lake in front. It is against the wind but much easier if you hit twice and then hit across the water to approach the green. With a birdie or par, you will enjoy the drink much better! Barbados Golf Club is bubbly and lively and a great place to play golf.

Barbados Golf Club

The 9th fairway at Rockley Golf Club

ROCKLEY GOLF CLUB

Rockley Golf Club is a 9-hole course that has out of bounds at every hole! It meanders inside condo units that have often been described as an oasis because it is a beautiful setting with towering mahogany trees, and lush fairways. Rockley may be the minnow in Barbados golf, but it’s a vibrant and lively environment. The membership doubles annually during the winter with the return of ‘Snowbirds,’ the name given to the overseas members. This is a place for fun and entertainment as Rockley has a well-known reputation of camaraderie and fellowship. It has Saturday tournaments with prizes after the game and visitors can play with a certified handicap. Rockley is very special in Barbados golf. It has a thriving membership and the lowest fees on the island. It has a Club Captain and Ladies Captain, club director and is governed by a small Board of directors. It also hosts the Rockley Open in February and over the season prizes have been supplemented from sponsors.

Rockley can’t compete with 18-hole golf or the beautiful terrain with landscaped rolling hills, but it can compete with value for money for both locals and visitors. It can be booked online daily and offers hired clubs, carts, restaurant and golf lessons from a club coach. Rockley is a small 9-hole course, but by moving tee boxes can be a formidable test of golf. The key to Rockley golf is to keep it straight and manage each shot carefully. The tight little course has been supplemented by a plethora of bunkers and trees. Two of the trees are exceptional. The 7th is in the middle if the fairway and it is difficult to go sideways. The 8th has two bunkers close to the green and a tree making it a tricky entry. However, the rewards to play straight are huge, as distance isn’t a huge problem. Top golfers can’t deal with the accuracy and few players shoot low in tournaments. Visitors are welcome and several members who are currently enjoying the ‘Barbados Welcome Stamp’ find Rockley a home away from home. Finally, a special mention for the Barbados Golf Association (BGA) who is parent body of Barbados golf and does a great job in promoting and developing the game, especially representative golf for both young and old.

BARBADOS – A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE AND GOLF

By Roddy Carr

One of the few positive things to come out of the COVID pandemic has been the growth of golf which had been in decline around the world for several years prior to 2019. There is a new appreciation for how pleasant it is to be out in the fresh air, socially distanced and having fun with friends and extended family for a simple round of golf. The game has seen a surge in 2020/2021 of over 20% worldwide. Women’s golf has grown by 16% and a much younger demographic has emerged and started to play golf.

In Barbados we are blessed with an abundance of world class courses. Sandy Lane with its 45 holes designed by Tom Fazio, Royal Westmoreland’s 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the 9 holes at Rockley, Barbados Golf Club 18 holes, the Home of Golf in Barbados, and the newly renovated Apes Hill golf course with 18 holes and a new 9 hole floodlit Par 3 course designed by the legendary designer Ron Kirby. In addition a new state of the art Performance & Teaching Centre at Apes Hill will be the first in the Caribbean.

Barbados is also enjoying this growth trend with 22% more round being played by locals as well an upsurge in visitors taking advantage of the ideal golfing weather year round as tourists return to this tropical island in their droves. The beauty of Barbados for visitors is being able to travel freely and safely around the island where the people are friendly and very COVID protocol conscious, compared to other top golf destinations in the Caribbean where visitors stay ‘on the compound’ of the resorts.

I have been lucky over the last two years to be part of a world class team assembled by the saviour investor of Apes Hill, Glenn Chamandy of Gildan fame, to undertake the extreme makeover renovation of the resort community.

The 450 acre site situated on the highest section of the Island has spectacular views over the Caribbean Sea on the west coast

The 16th hole at Apes Hill and panoramic vistas over St. Andrew and the Scotland district on the wild Atlantic east coast. The course is weaved between 12 km’s of deep indigenous gullies that are full of flora and fauna with coral caves highlighting the uniqueness of the site. The views over the Atlantic Ocean & Caribbean Sea on three holes are stunning. Some of the oldest and most magnificent Bearded Fig trees are a prominent feature along with coral rock formations and coral caves bordering some of the holes. The Bearded Fig tree is of historical significance as it is how Barbados derived its name from the Portuguese settlers. Los Barbados, ‘the Bearded One’ they named the Island. The Island was covered with these Bearded Fig trees until the early settlers implemented a ‘slash and burn’ policy after 1627 to clear the way for the planting of sugar cane. As a consequence Barbados was the richest colony of the ‘empire’ thanks to the sugar cane production. The sugar cane industry resulted in a railway line being built on the Island in the late 1883 from the Bridgetown Port to St. Andrew via Bathsheba.

It was fascinating to learn from a Cultural and Heritage study undertaken by Dr, Kerry Hall on the Apes Hill site, that Barbados is 700,000 years old and that the formation of the Island as the most easterly and only non-volcanic of the Lesser Antilles makes it unique in the Caribbean.

The trade winds blowing uninterrupted across the Atlantic Ocean resulted in the seaside town of Bathsheba on the east coast being regarded as one of the healthiest places in the Western Hemisphere and was at one time the centre of health tourism. George Washington came to Barbados with his halfbrother Lawrence for health reasons in 1751. This led to the now famous George Washington mansion being built in 1761 beside the Garrison on the South Coast.

Back then the now ‘Platinum’ West Coast was a mosquito infested tropical costal swamp full of mangroves that was not suitable for tourism……how times have changed!

Great care was taken by Ron Kirby with the golf course renovation at Apes Hill to focus on and highlight all these natural indigenous assets to provide the most memorable golfing experience in the Caribbean.

The fifty acre farm that is part of the community will provide farm to table food that is all part of creating a healthy active lifestyle with golf, tennis, paddle tennis, swimming, fitness, fishing, spa and 12 km’s of gully walks among nature. It will be a place where like-minded people and families can live and have fun together in our post COVID world.

As I tell my friends having lived here over the course of several decades and with a Bajan daughter, Barbados is one of the best places in the world to live among a people that are warm, welcoming, educated and friendly.