Improving two Bahamas golf courses - South Ocean and Cable beach Bahamas golf courses enjoy upgrades
WHAT-TO-DO - NASSAU, CABLE BEACH & PARADISE ISLAND - JAN 2004 EDITION
South Ocean Golf Club, long considered a diamond in the rough by knowledgeable golfers, is about to get a $5-million facelift.
Designed by renowned architect Joe Lee, this 6,707-yd track at the southwestern corner of New Providence features two blue holes, a spectacular ocean vista on the 11th hole and ruins dating back to the days of slavery. It also offers challenging shots that require accuracy and careful thinking.
But for the past couple of years, the course has needed reconditioning. Now PRK Holdings Ltd of Canada, owners of South Ocean Beach Hotel and Golf Club, are undertaking a major renovation.
"We want to bring the golf course up to the top level possible," says Warren Adamson, vice president of PRK. "We are not going to redesign it but we are going to make major changes."
Cable Beach makeover
A similar makeover was completed in 2003 at the Radisson Cable Beach Golf Club on West Bay St. In that remodelling, designer Fred Settle Jr reversed the nines, removed sand traps, enlarged the greens and added a lot of water.
A 6,453-yd, par 71 course, Cable Beach is now "more of a shot-maker's course than before," says Hartley Pinder, director of golf. Thanks to a new irrigation and drainage system, the course is in great condition for winter visitors to The Bahamas.
18 new greens
The changes planned for South Ocean include 18 new and enlarged greens, many new tees, reconditioning of all bunkers, a new driving range, improvements of the rough and some minor renovations to the club house.
"Two or three holes will be lengthened to bring the course to a little over 7,000 yds from the blues," says Adamson.
"In many respects we are still working out the details but we are already working on the fairways and the driving range is nearly complete. We've increased the size of a couple of ponds as part of a new irrigation and drainage system and we will be building a couple of RO (reverse osmosis) plants to provide additional water."
Renovation of the golf course is all part of a tough "right sizing" of the entire resort late last year. This involved closing down the main hotel, with plans to spruce up the 130 beachfront rooms, each with a balcony that overlooks the ocean. Improvements are also planned for the food and beverage area around the resort's pool. But the primary focus is on upgrading the golf course, Adamson says.
Play will continue at South Ocean until May 2004, when the course will be closed to complete work on the greens over the summer.
"Between now and then, there may be one or two holes closed at one time. At worst, golfers will have to play one nine twice or, at best, play 16 holes plus a couple of them twice," says Adamson.
There are two other private courses: Ocean Club on Paradise Island, which is open only to members and guests at Atlantis and One&Only Ocean Club properties and the members-only Lyford Cay course at the west end of New Providence.
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