Destination Golf - June 2018 * | Page 55

Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and home to the capital, George Town. Remote, yet accessible, Cayman has been welcoming holiday makers for over 400 years. The three islands are limestone outcroppings, the tops of a submarine mountain range called the Cayman Ridge. The islands lack rivers or streams because of the porous nature of the limestone rock. It is this lack of runoff which gives the surrounding Caribbean Sea exceptional visibility, often well over 120ft. All three islands are surrounded by healthy coral reefs which lie at the top of dramatic walls and drop-offs close to shore and breathtaking underwater sea walls with a number of shipwrecks, creating ideal conditions for diving and sport fishing. There are no shortage of hotels along the popular Seven Mile Beach – however only one offers an AAA Five Diamond hotel. Spanning 144 acres sea-to-sea from world-famous Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman offers a 375-room luxury resort featuring a la prairie spa, five restaurants including Blue by Eric Ripert, the island’s largest ballroom, an interactive culinary studio, and The Courts tennis center. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman is highlighted by its Greg Norman-designed nine-hole golf course, and by a new indoor golf simulator using Trackman technology. Further property highlights include the Starfish Cay water park, Oculus glass bottom boat, renowned Ambassadors of the Environment family program by Jean-Michel Cousteau, and the new Seven South – the largest luxury hotel suite in the Caribbean. Visitors to Gran Cayman either want to explore or relax. With such an exciting destination on offer, 9-holes of golf is probably all you will fit in during your daily visit. In keeping with its five star quality, at the The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman you will find one of the best 9-holes courses in the World. The resort’s Greg Norman-designed golf course delivers fiercely in its shark pedigree. Experience Grand Cayman golf that embraces the island’s beautiful natural elements: water, mangroves and refreshing albeit challenging trade winds. This nine- hole course that rouses golfers with its five long Par Fours into the Caribbean trade winds, which can make a 470-yard hole play like 600. Feature holes include the 2nd, a Par-5 of 558 yards with water running down the entire right side to a narrow green. Or the par-3’s 4th or 9th, both of whom play over water, with the latter being an island green. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman offers golfers the opportunity to make tee times at short notice and enjoy a relaxing pace of play. The course is perfect for both infrequent players who want to play at their leisure and passionate golfers who want to play multiple rounds in a single day. Seasonal and annual memberships are also available for individuals and Volume 4 • Issue 44 55