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Grand Bahama golf rejuvenation
Golf - WBF08
Grand Bahama golf rejuvenation
New and refurbished courses set to open
Bahama year after year were saddened in 2005 when back- to-back hurricanes all but destroyed two fine courses, The Ruby and The Emerald. Both of them have been closed fr two years.
But in 2007, after on-again-off-again talks with the Bahamian government, Harcourt Developments of Dublin, Ireland, bought the Royal Oasis Resort and Casino-owners of the two courses on West Sunrise Highway-vowing to return the entire comple to its former glory as a top-notch resort. It will be operated by the well-known Foxwoods company, owner and operator of several resorts, casinos and golf courses in the United States.
Mike Murphy, marketing director for Harcourt, said in February 2008 hat "The Ruby is in good condition and should be back into play in a matter of months-about six months."
Although The Emerald was badly damaged by the hurricanes and was "still in very bad condition," Murphy added that the course "has great potential."
While The Ruby would be renovated by the owner, an unnamed Florida golf course company would work on The Emerald. The course will be extensively redesigned and many more features will be added, Murphy said.
Meanwhile, the par-72, 6,800-plus Lucayan and te par-72, 6,900-plus Reef courses at the Westin & Sheraton are in great shape and welcoming winter golfers, says pro Mitch Mortimer.
"Conditions of both courses are good at this time of year [but then] anytime of the year is a good time" in Grand Bahama says Mortimer.
The Lucayan, which triggered the island's golfing era four decades ago, is matriarch of the island's courses. It retains much of the Dick Wilson imprint, with tight doglegs and elevated greens protected by craftily placed sand traps.
TheReef was also designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee but was later renovated under the direction of Robert Trent Jones Jr and Ty Butler. Lakes and hills were incorporated into the formerly flat layout. The Reef today is a challenging layout with lakes or watr on a dozen holes and nearly 120 bunkers.
Another favourite on Grand Bahama is the secluded Fortune Hills Golf Club on East Sunrise Highway. This is a nine-hole gem, also designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee, which opened in 1971. Wilson and Lee incorported their trademark large, well-trapped and elevated greens and raised tees. Fortune Hills has matured into a busy club with an active local and transient membership.
Returning golfers were saddened to learn that Fortune Hills owner Walter Kitchen, who hd operated the course for more than 30 years, died at the age of 81 in December 2007.
More courses on tap
Golfers will soon have a lot more to choose from on Grand Bahama.
Jason Albury, manager of golf course development at the multi-billion-dollar Gin sur Mer development at West End, confirms that work had already begun on one of two premier courses at the resort.
Designed by PGA legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, the two courses will be championship layouts with top-of-the-line amenities. Albry said the Palmer course would be built first, "but I_can't give you an exact date for the opening."
With postcard-perfect vistas, subtropical weather and direct flights from major North American cities, golf in Grand Bahama never looked better.
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