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In less than a decade, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort's three courses are already gaining legend status, thanks to the resort's no-frills homage to traditional links golf, Brandon Tucker writes.
Full story | Also: Bandon Dunes gallery
The Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino is the only game in town on St. Kitts, as far as big-name Caribbean resorts go. But that's OK, because on an island this size, the Marriott is plenty big enough for everyone, Tim McDonald writes. There are three pools (each with its own hot tub), and the Royal Beach Casino is one of the largest in this part of the Caribbean. Of course, the star is the resort's golf course.
Elbow Beach is known as the grand dame of Bermuda resorts. Built at the turn of the century, the hotel used to host the island's grand balls, one of which - the Bermuda Resident's 10-year anniversary - was attended by Princess Margaret. That isn't to say the resort at Bermuda's South Shore is stuck in the past. They've continued to keep the resort up to date, recently finishing phase three of a renovation that added 28 beautiful cottages.
Golf travelers around the globe have long been aware of the delights that Barbados supplies golfers. This Caribbean Island paradise gives duffers perfect weather to ply their hobby all year long. And with a plethora of world-class Caribbean golf resorts, Barbados is a golf destination that truly shines. And with Sandy Lane Resort and its two Tom Fazio designed golf courses, there's more world-class golf in Barbados than ever.
Grand Cayman may be a small Caribbean island, but it packs a big punch. Not only does it boast great golf courses, but the 22-mile-long island also has a plethora of great restaurants, both for tourists and locals. Whether it's fine dining you're after or traditional fare like Johnnycakes, ackee and saltfish, which are popular on any number of Caribbean islands, you'll find a restaurant to satisfy your craving on Grand Cayman.
With revenue from the sugar trade drying up as European sugar subsidies to African, Caribbean and Pacific states end, St. Kitts will now rely mostly on tourism to feed its people. And that includes golf tourism. St. Kitts is planning the construction of new resorts and golf courses to cater to travelers who the island hopes will infuse around $17 billion into its economy over the next two decades.
Bermuda is a small island with only 10 golf courses, so you will have no trouble finding them. If you're there for two weeks or more, you will probably have played them all. So if you're looking for something else to do, or are saddled with a wife and kids who insist you get off the golf course for a while, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied, from beautiful beaches to fine dining and sightseeing opportunities.
The Blue Tip at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is a private course designed by Greg Norman available only to guests of the resort. Since it's private, the Blue Tip remains untrammeled by the tourist hordes that pour out of the cruise ships that call on the island. You can scarcely find a ball mark on the pristine greens, and the course has the superb conditioning and excellent, little flourishes for which the Ritz-Carlton is known.
Anyone who has ever lived on a Caribbean island knows improvisation and flexibility are important. The Hyatt Regency people knew this when they hired Jack Nicklaus to build their Britannia Golf Club on Grand Cayman. With little room on the small island, Nicklaus and his team aimed to provide as much variety as possible in tight quarters. The result is a fun, challenging play with a range of blind shots, pot bunkers and two-tiered greens.
Riddell's Bay is the oldest golf course in Bermuda, built back in 1922, before they started building them in the hills to give tourists views of the ocean and bays. The result is that the course is more flat, and the views are more up close and personal. Many of the views at Riddell's Bay in fact are not of long-range vistas but of small inlets with moored sailboats, their banners flying and the sun sparkling off that beautiful water.
Also: Port Royal Golf Course is a Bermuda beauty
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