Jamaica's True Colors: Red, Green and Golf

Jamaica is blessed with all the qualities of afleeting views of Negril's distant golden sands and
world-class golf destination. In addition to excellentcalm seas. Along the fairways, coconut and other
year-round weather, the topography, lushtropical trees dance in the soft sea breezes
vegetation and scenic beauty of our tropical islandwafting in from the coast. This course is
also encourages creative golf course designs bycharacterized by water hazards, boasting nine
imaginative golf course architects. Jamaica is alsoponds that all come into play. Marshlands and
famous for its caddies: lively, entertaining,sandtraps also lurk throughout the course, waiting
experienced, dedicated - with an uncanny ability toto claim wayward balls.Runaway Bay GCThe par
track down wayward shots and to read the72 course was designed by Major John Harris
breaks on even the trickiest greens. We invitefrom Britain and opened in 1960. From the Blue
you to play our courses for yourself for anTees, the course measures a long 6,870 yards
unforgettable golfing experience:Montego Bay iswith a slope rating of 124. The combination of the
the island's golf capital boasting five championshipwind gusting up to 35 miles per hour, long rolling
golf courses, premium hotel accommodations, anfairways with large flat greens and breathtaking
international airport served by several majorviews of the Caribbean Sea, guarantee that
airlines, beaches and other recreational, shoppinggolfers can expect an exhilarating experience
and entertainment facilities.SuperClubswhether they are beginners or accomplished
IronshoreThe former Ironshore Golf & Countryplayers. The PGA-quality golf course has hosted
Club is a links-style, par-72 course. Once referredmany an international event including the
to as Jamaica's gem in the rough, it's a demandingMatchPlay games between the United Kingdom
course with plenty of doglegs and bunkers toand the West Indies, the Jamaica Open and the
challenge your A-game. Since January 2000,World Cup of Golf Super-qualifier
SuperClubs has been polishing that gem. Atournaments.Sandals Ocho RiosFormerly known as
beautifully decorated new clubhouse was built andUpton Golf Club, the Sandals Golf & Country Club
a massive course renovation completed. Thewas established in 1951 as a 9 hole course located
greens are in their best condition in 20 years,700 feet above sea level in Upton, a few miles
locals say. The 6,570-yard layout delivers what iseast of Ocho Rios. The original 9-hole layout
expected - an entertaining golf experience, withwhich, designed by P.K. Saunders, was expanded
several water encounters and a number ofin the early 1960s to 18 holes. In June 1992,
interesting blind shots. Fairways are separated bySandals Resorts purchased the property and set
tall, frilly Australian pines, as well as floweringabout creating one of the most elite golf courses
hibiscus and bough.Half MoonDesigned by thein Jamaica. The greens were rebuilt with Tifdwarf
renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr., the courseBermuda grass and the fairways resurfaced with
opened in 1961 and since has firmly establishedBermuda grass. Although comparatively short-
itself as one of prized courses that the Caribbean6311 yards, par 71 from the Blue Tees, the
has to offer. Measuring a massive, 7,119 yardscourse makes for a challenging 128
from the back tees, it has been selected as hostslope.ManchesterCarved into the rolling hills near
venue for several professional and amateurMandeville more than a century ago, the
tournaments, including the Jamaican Open and theManchester Country Club is Jamaica's and the
Dunhill Cup. The course boasts some of theCaribbean's oldest golf course. Boasting 140 years
trademark Jones features, including runway teesof history, it is easily the most unique in Jamaica
and use of the land's movement or the 'figurewith it's nine greens and 18 tee locations. Founded
eight' routing that cleverly changes angles justas a Country Club in 1865 and soon after the
enough to cause bewilderment on the windy days.Scots invented the game of golf, a golf course
The greens also demand special attention: whilewas built on the site. It is situated in the middle of
they are very playable, their shape and contourthe town of Mandeville, the capital of Manchester
often force the better golfer to work the ball toand has one of the most breath-taking scenic
get their approaches close to tucked pins, whilewonders, provided by the course's 2201 foot
leaving an opening for the novice player to runelevation. Although it is a private members club, it
the ball in.Cinnamon HillOne instinctively marvels atis open to the public and is one of Mandeville's
the parcel of land on which Robert vonmain tourist attractions.CaymanasLocated 9 miles
Hagge-designed Cinnamon Hill GC (formerly Threeoutside Kingston, Caymanas GC rests in the
Palms), at the Wyndham Rose Hall. On an islandfoothills of St. Catherine and overlooks the parish's
blessed with lushness and topographical character,verdant cane fields, stretching all the way to
and short on acreage, the layout moves from anKingston Harbour. Designed by well-known
open, windswept front nine into the lowerCanadian architect, Howard Watson, in the 1950s,
elevations of the Blue Mountains on the back nine,the course's hilly environment is brilliantly
where dense foliage traps the fairways of theincorporated in the layout. Several of the 18 tee
incoming holes. Boasting interesting, serene,boxes are elevated while the fairways undulate in
descriptive and sometimes downright intimidatingaccordance to the topography of the craggy
names each hole has its own intriguinglimestone hills. Stately Cotton and Guango trees
characteristics and is sure to leave behind aline the fairways and guard the greens throughout
memorable experience. The surrounding scenerythe course's 6,844 yards, creating daunting natural
at #15 "Mountain Falls" is so striking, that a scenehazards. Strategically placed bunkers and ponds
was shot here for the James Bond film Live andalso make for more challenging play. The Club,
Let Die. The course is built on what was once awhich hosted several Caribbean Championships,
400-acre plantation, and remnants of the area'sincluding the Jamaican Open, the Jamaica Classic
history, including aqueducts, gravestones, and ruinsand Shell's Wonderful World of Golf, is sloped at
of historic homes, offer a crumbling reminder of a123 from the Blue Tees and measures 6,844
land that once breathed a life of its own, longyards.Constant SpringLocated in the heart of one
before golf.White WitchLocals are quick to sayof Kingston's nicest residential areas, Constant
that Annie Palmer still haunts the Rose Hall GreatSpring was built in 1920 by Scottish architect
House and the estate- including the course builtStanley Thompson, a mentor of Robert Trent
there on the grounds. The White Witch Course,Jones, making it one of Jamaica's oldest golf
designed by the team of Robert Von Hagge, Rickcourses. It is a tight, short course with a
Baril and Mike Smelek, opened in August 2000 asbreathtaking view at the 13th tee, and the
the centerpiece of the new Ritz Carlton Rose Hallchallenge of driving to a narrow plateau of fairway
Resort. Instead of traditional tropical terrain, thebeyond a steep valley. It has hosted all of the
layout is mountainous and rugged. The 6,718-yardisland's top players, many of the socially elite and
course sticks to the high ground where there aremore than a few concerts during its long
cool breezes and ocean views on 16 holes. Thishistory.The Jamaica Golf Association, comprised
elevated route can be intimidating, with its carriesof individual golfing members and golf clubs
over jungle-like terrain, but the course intertwinesislandwide, is at the forefront of the drive to
with the mountains and provides golfers withdevelop the game of golf for a better
some of the best views of theJamaica.David Leadbetter Golf Academy - Half
coastline.TryallTryall's 18-hole, RalphMoonThe Academy combines the finest golf
Plummer-designed championship course has playedinstruction available on one of Jamaica's most
host to such prestigious international events aschallenging courses. Created by one of the
the Johnnie Walker World Championship, last wonmasters in the art of teaching the golf swing,
by Fred Couples in 1995. With holes that kiss theDavid Leadbetter has a unique ability to
shoreline and flirt with the edges of jungle ravines,communicate and a profound dedication to the
it is probably the most celebrated golf course ingame. He is known for rebuilding Nick Faldo's
the Caribbean. The course stretches 6,772 yardsfabled swing and has worked with Ernie Els, Greg
from the ocean-side up into forested hills, pastNorman and Nick Price, and has developed an
coconut groves, and back down to the sea alongexclusive group of teaching professionals to give
a route lined with flowering plants and magnificent"tour-proven" advice to ambitious golfers at all
trees. The signature par-three 4th holestages of development.Cable & Wireless National
incorporates the natural challenges of theGolf AcademyKingston's bustling business and
Caribbean Sea and the Flint River, while theentertainment hub, New Kingston, is also fast
memorable par-four 7th hole provides a dramaticbecoming the capital city's recreational sporting
tee-shot through the stone pillars of the historiccenter thanks in part to the addition of Cable and
aqueduct that feeds the adjacent waterwheel.Wireless' National Golf Academy. Located on lands
Tryall's homeowners, many associated with thewith a view of New Kingston's towering buildings
club for generations, have preserved theand the distant Blue Mountains, the National Golf
atmosphere of charming gentility that has beenAcademy is the island's first public driving range
"modernized out" of many other historicand putting green. Spanning an impressive 240
properties.Negril HillsNestled in the hills minutesyards, the driving range plays like a real golf
away from Negril's famous seven-mile white-sandcourse with undulating fairways, 6 manicured
beach, golf enthusiasts will find this relaxedgreens and well-placed holes, bunkers and ponds.
resort's hidden gem- the Negril Hills Golf Club.From the Academy's 23 bays you may practice
Famous for its elevated tees and greens,your swing and drive, or on the adjacent putting
undulating fairways and emerald ponds, this layoutgreen, you can hone you short game skills.**for
promises an enjoyable round that's a perfectmore information visit Jamaica's visitor website,
break from Negril's sand and sea. Built in 1993 bythe complete source for travel and tourism
Robert Simmons, this 18-hole course spans 6,333information featuring hand-picked deals on
yards, cut into Negril's low, rolling hills. Thisvacation packages, hotels, villas, flights and car
topography makes for fast play, with snakingrentals**Jam-boree.
fairways and mildly sloping greens. It also reveals