MAGICAL ISLANDS
Bermuda – Shakespeare’s inspiration
“The isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight …,” reassuring words spoken by Caliban in Act III of The Tempest, in the setting of Bermuda that’s said to have inspired Shakespeare. This beautiful north-Atlantic island is but a short hop (flights operating daily) from our east coast mainland—the island is also a favorite port of call for cruise liners sailing out of New York and Miami— cruise liners being mode of arrival is especially memorable for those aboard.
So why not just take that Atlantic cruise to Bermuda or that hop across by plane, if you’re looking for a great golf vacation on this pearl of an island?
For a relatively small island, Bermuda has a remarkable number of golf courses. There were eight courses last time we counted, with island authorities and entrepreneurs investing heavily in the developments and renovations in the last thirty years or so.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1970, Port Royal features ocean views from nearly every hole. The course underwent an extensive 2009 renovation spearheaded by original design team member Roger Rulewich. Yardage: 6,828; par 71.
The 16th is one of the most visually spectacular holes in golf and is also considered extremely challenging. The 235-yard par 3 plays over an ocean inlet to a long but narrow green perched high above the water on a peninsula, with the ocean to the left.
The Port Royal Golf Course is a public course owned by the Bermuda government and it’s open to all every day of the week from 7am to 6pm.
There are many 4- and 5-star rated accommodations within a short distance of Port Royal. The Fairmont, Southampton, is a regular favorite for many golf fans who return to the island year after year. Anticipate unsurpassed luxury and you won’t be disappointed—sumptuous guest rooms and suites, with private balconies showcasing sweeping ocean views.
The Fairmont beach resort comprises some 100 acres (with complimentary trolley shuttle service) and offers ten dining destinations, private beach club, a full-service spa and an 18-hole, par 3 golf club. This club is the Turtle Hill Golf Club featuring 18 challenging par 3 holes, most with impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Jamaica – “Land we love”
On the north coast of the island is the newly opened Sandals® Dunn’s River resort which has a backdrop of lush tropical foliage and majestic mountain scenery.
The major golf attraction is the Sandals 18-hole course (6,404 yards, par 72), a short drive away. Guests of any Sandals Resorts in Ocho Rios can enjoy complimentary greens fees and daily transfers to play at the impressive Upton Estate Golf & Country Club. There are roundtrip transfers and greens fees included at nearby golf resorts for Sandals (and Beaches) guests during your resort stay which includes, in addition to Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation and Sandals Ochi, as well as Beaches Ocho Rios.
Sandals Dunn’s River is the newest in the Sandals portfolio. Among its many attractions are Jamaica’s first SkyPool Suites—the only one of its kind on the island. These accommodations have an infinity pool stretching the length of the balcony, giving an impressive view of where the ocean. Another first for Sandals are the Coyaba Rooftop RondovalTM which give access to a winding Swim-up pool that’s connected to each of the secluded Rondoval Suites. The suites also have a private pool and an open-air rooftop deck enabling you to enjoy the views of Jamaica’s mountains by day and the Caribbean skies by night.
While the championship golf course may be top of your activity list, Sandals Dunn’s River also has many other fun activities to enjoy such as water sports of all kinds, hiking up Dunn’s River Falls, or you can take a raft ride to explore a three-mile stretch of the lush Martha Brae River.
After a day’s activities, there’s nowhere better to simply chill out by enjoying unlimited fine dining at twelve restaurants as well as a choice of nine convivial bars.
And what makes Sandals unique? “All Sandals Resorts are all-inclusive and for adults only, designed for couples in love.” Let’s go!
One of the Caribbean’s best-known resorts for families is Beaches Ocho Rios only minutes from the course. Upton Estate Golf & Country Club rises 700 feet above sea level and stretches out over a rolling landscape with sweeping views of the sea and mountains. The resort-style course features three sets of tees and is fun for golfers of all skill levels. Guests can also enjoy weekly complimentary group clinics led by pro at Upton Estate Golf & Country Club in Ocho Rios (private golf instruction upon request is available at a cost) so everyone is part of the excitement.
Hawaii – “The Islands of Aloha”
A U.S. state is a welcome home-form-home vacation choice for many. Perhaps for that reason the islands of Hawaii offer some of the most popular golf resort choices, where many return for a vacation year after year. But before you get there you have some difficult but fun choices to make because there are tempting courses on many islands.
There’s O‘ahu, with more courses than any other island; Maui, known as the “Magic Isle,” with 14 courses (several of which are ranked in the “world’s best” lists) designed by noted course architects such as Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw.; Lana‘i, where there are some top-ranked courses including the 18-hole Manele Golf Course at Four Seasons Lana‘i. And there’s the choice of the island of Hawaii itself which is considered the “golf capital” of the archipelago.
Opting for a high-end luxury vacation in the “golf capital” would be a sound choice. And you could do no better than book into the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. This will give you special access to a course that’s restricted to Hualalai residents and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai guests.
This is the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-signature Hualalai Golf Course. The championship course winds its way across 7,100 yards of bright green fairways contoured against black lava, then returning to the ocean for the final holes.
As well as great golf, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is perfectly situated for all kinds of other island adventures, such as private charter of the 30-foot Maka’ala ribcraft to explore hidden beaches and secret snorkel spots along the northern Kona Coast, or perhaps we’ll take a Private Island Helicopter Tour—just two of a wide range of choices for some memorable vacation experiences. The accommodations are luxurious, as you would expect from Four Seasons, and indeed may be beyond expectations, given the resort’s unique location setting and the extravagantly beautiful coastal and ocean views.