MARCH/APRIL 08
Golf with a view

Once a place where U.S. military base courses with sand greens were about the only layouts that could be found, Puerto Rico has blossomed into one of the Caribbean’s finest golf destinations.  

Today, there are 23 courses in Puerto Rico, many of which were designed by some of the biggest names in golf course architecture. Best of all, many of Puerto Rico’s top courses are located at world-class resorts, so after you’ve played to your heart’s content, you can relax poolside or in the spa before hitting the links again.

And even though Puerto Rico might not have been on your golf radar until now, the PGA Tour has taken notice. The tour will descend upon the island country for the first time when the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular is contested at Coco Beach G&CC in Rio Grande this year.

Bahia Beach Resort & GC

Just 25 minutes from San Juan, Bahia Beach Resort & GC is a master-planned resort community that is home to a new Robert Trent Jones Jr. 18-hole golf course. Opened in November 2007, Bahia Beach is Jones’ first golf course design project in Puerto Rico.

Water is a stong component of the course, which is managed by Troon Golf. Numerous lagoons come into play, such as on the scenic par-3 fourth hole, a forced, short carry over water to a large triangular green.

No. 17 at Bahia Beach is a long par-3 with the green perched directly above the beach. Reminiscent of Jones’ famous 16th hole at the Links at Spanish Bay in California, the hole offers little room for error on the approach. But be prepared to be distracted during your tee shot – the elevated tees give way to stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the El Yunque mountain rainforest to the west.

Designed to include the whole family, Bahia Beach GC measures 7,000 yards from the championship tees and 5,253 yards from the forward tees.

Destined to become Puerto Rico’s finest master-planned resort community, Bahia Beach is being developed on 483 acres of a former coconut plantation and native maritime forest. The community, which is partially developed at this point, will be a residential and vacation enclave featuring the golf course, luxurious estate homes and golf villas, the St. Regis Resort and a town center featuring shops and restaurants.

Estate homes at Bahia Beach are designed in a tropical plantation architectural style on spacious lots overlooking the golf course and ocean. Six different models, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, are available on lots ranging in size from a half acre to 1.3 acres.

And because the resort community is being developed on a coastal ecosystem, Bahia Beach developers are taking steps to ensure the smallest possible amount of natural environment is impacted by construction.

“We are committed to the principles of sustainable development and preserving the natural wonders of Bahia Beach,” said Frederico J. Sanchez-Ortiz, president of Interlink Group, the development managers of Bahia Beach. “Not just because it keeps the community beautiful – because it’s the right thing to do.”

For more information on the resort, visit www.bahiabeachpuertorico.com.

With the opportunity for golfers to experience four unique and challenging nines – The Lakes, The Ocean, The Mountain and The Palms – Coco Beach G&CC is a must-play club. In fact, the PGA Tour couldn’t agree more. It will make a stop at Coco Beach March 17-23 for the first full-field, sanctioned event in Puerto Rico’s history

Located in Rio Grande, Coco Beach G&CC is situated on 1,000 acres of waterfront. It provides guests with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean National Rainforest of El Yunque. The golf club is part of the larger Coco Beach Resort, which includes the 500-suite all-inclusive Paradisus Puerto Rico hotel.

First opened with 18 holes in 2004, the final Tom Kite and Bruce Besse Jr.-designed nine opened in April 2005. With all 36 holes, golfers can play along the ocean, amid the mountains, around the lakes and in the palms. Four sets of tees on each nine and yardages from 5,594 to 7,587 make Coco Beach the perfect venue for a PGA Tour event or a recreational golfer.

The Lakes nine weaves its way around eight manmade lakes on the Coco Beach property. The large, undulating greens of this nine put an emphasis on the putter. Hole No. 6, a 195-yard par-4 with the El Yunque rainforest in the background, is guarded on its entire right side by a lake. It requires a well-positioned tee shot to avoid the possibility of three-putting.

The Ocean nine at Coco Beach brings prevailing ocean breezes into play on every hole. Hole No. 7 is a 202-yard par-3 over water and a rock wall to a well-protected green. Here the tee shot should be played short because of a strong tailwind, and a shot landing anywhere but on the front of the green may not hold.

The Mountain nine offers a diverse landscape with elevated tee boxes, panoramic views of El Yunque and the Atlantic Ocean and imaginative hole designs. Mountain No. 5 is a favorite, coming in at 405 yards. This par-4 demands an accurate drive to an elevated fairway, and a second shot to a green  well guarded by water on both sides.

The Palms nine winds through a forest of palm trees. No. 4 is a demanding par-3 that plays 220 yards from the back tee, with a green guarded by a creek that runs in front and to the right. Since there isn’t much room for error on the right, it is wise to favor the left side of the green on the approach.

Visit www.cocobeachgolf.com for more information.

El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa

Spread over 500 acres in the fishing village of Las Croabas, El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa is made up of a grand hotel, a championship golf course, a world-class casino, a new waterpark and the tranquil Golden Door Spa.

The Arthur Hills-designed course at El Conquistador, opened in 1993, is a challenging yet player-friendly stroll through daunting hills. Elevation changes of more than 200 feet make this course rare among typically-flat Caribbean golf courses. And like Coco Beach and Bahia Beach, El Conquistador’s golf course offers dramatic views of the El Yunque rainforest and sparkling Atlantic Ocean.

According to golf professional Seth Henrich, every hole at El Conquistador is different, and the course is extremely undulating. Though the course doesn’t have a signature hole, Nos. 1 and 5 are known to be two of the more difficult holes.

No. 1, a 395-yard par-4, is an intimidating starting hole. A valley drops down 200 feet from the tee and returns back to the same level about 150 yards out, where the fairway begins. Henrich says the hole is “perceptionally difficult” but really is not hard to play. Keep your ball to the left – aiming nearly at the cart path – because the fairway slopes hard to the right.  

Called Diente de Viento – or “teeth of the wind” – No. 5 at El Conquistador is aptly named. Playing directly into the island’s trade winds, the fairway on this 431-yard, downhill par-4 rolls directly toward a lake on the left side. A dogleg to the left, No. 5 is a strong risk-reward hole.

Guestrooms at El Conquistador Resort – all of which recently have been redesigned and refurbished – provide a spectacular vacation atmosphere. While staying at El Conquistador, visitors may take advantage of the resort’s private island, Palomino, where they can spend their days swimming, wave running, windsurfing, scuba diving, fishing and horseback riding.

Visit www.elconresort.com for further information.

Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa

 With two courses designed by some of the top names in the world, the Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa on Puerto Rico’s northeast shore is one of the country’s top golf destinations.

Located in Rio Grande, the Wyndham Rio Mar is a golfer’s paradise, offering two championship golf courses – Greg Norman’s 6,945-yard River Course and Tom and George Fazio’s 6,487-yard Ocean Course.

The Ocean Course makes sure guests take in the full Puerto Rico golf experience. Atlantic panoramas, ocean breezes and even iguanas play the entire length of the course, which features four sets of tees, numerous bunkers and elevated greens. Water comes into play on 15 holes.

The signature hole is No. 16, a 238-yard oceanside par-3 that is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean for the entire length. A prevailing tradewind blows from left to right, putting a premium on the tee shot. Add in the bunkers guarding most of the hole, and par is a great score on the three-tiered green.

Norman’s first Caribbean design, the River Course, rolls along the Mameyes River, framed by views of mountains and sea. When he designed the course, Norman preserved native foliage and let the terrain determine placement of all holes. Featuring wide fairways, open greens, shallow bunkers and light rough, the River Course is ideal for players of all skill levels.

The first hole, a slight dogleg to the left, sets the pace quickly by demanding accuracy off the tee. Wetlands line the entire left side of this 435-yard par-4, and a single bunker lies between the fairway and the wetlands. In addition, the green is guarded by a bunker on the left.

The Rio Mar clubhouse is a 35,000-square-foot facility overlooking both courses, and it provides just about every amenity expected of a premier golf resort. The Iguana Pub invites guests in for a relaxing post-round beverage, and the Grille Room Restaurant, overlooking the golf courses, serves up lunch and dinner.

The practice facilities at Rio Mar include a chipping and putting area and a driving range that acccommodates 50 golfers. Resident golf pros offer skill-building workshops and private lessons, and the fully-stocked golf shop offers pro-line equipment, accessories and attire.

But golf isn’t the only draw at Wyndham Rio Mar Resort & Spa. Six-hundred luxurious guestrooms with island-style decor include private balconies with incredible views. While  there, visitors may enjoy endless water sports, the Mandara Spa, an on-site casino and 11 restaurants and lounges. The resort also offers a Kid’s Club with daily supervised activities for children ages 4-12.  

Visit www.wyndhamriomar.com for additional information.

Dorado Beach Resort & Club

About 20 miles from San Juan along Puerto Rico’s northern coast, the Dorado Beach Resort & Club dates to the 1950s, but Dorado itself was founded in 1842 and named for its sand beaches which were said to glitter like gold. The resort was once known as a vacation destination for the rich and famous. In addition to the sports figures, politicians and Hollywood stars who frequented the property, the Dorado Beach golf operation was once led by head pro Chi Chi Rodriguez.

Originally home to twin nine-hole courses (the East and West) which Robert Trent Jones Sr. carved out of tidal wetlands in the 1950s, Dorado Beach now boasts a terrific 72-hole lineup. The East and West courses both opened in 1958, and were lengthened to 18 holes during the 1960s. The East and West courses were updated and renovated by the Raymond Floyd Group about five years ago.

Jones created two more courses in the early 1970s at Cerromar GC, which sat across the road from Dorado Beach. The Cerromar Hotel no longer exists but its former golf courses remain and are now called the Plantation courses. They have been designated the Sugar Cane and Pineapple layouts.

All four courses play about 7,000 yards from the back tees (the Sugarcane Course is the longest at 7,119 yards) and boast huge greens and plenty of sand and water. They lay amid lush surroundings accented by tropical forests, fruit trees and shimmering lagoons. The 1,000-acre Dorado Beach Resort & Club, managed by KemperSports, offers stay-and-play packages and a first-class tennis facility. And the Atlantic Ocean is always right outside the door.

Visit www.doradobeachclub.com for more information.