FINALLY ! Last year ’ s pent-up daydreams of playing golf in a place with a steady sea breeze , swaying palm trees and bright sunshine casting a golden glow down lush green fairways are coming true .
And perhaps there is no place more perfect or welcoming than Puerto Rico , a United States territory located just a short flight away from Washington and Baltimore , and a world away from the worries of 2020 .
Whether you want to test your game on the Hyatt Regency ’ s pristine Grand Reserve Golf Club — a PGA Tour stop — or simply enjoy a round on the cliff-side , old-school layout of Punta Borinquen Golf Club that once thrilled a U . S . general when it was located on a former U . S . Air Force Base , Puerto Rico has much to offer .
“ There are 18 golf courses in Puerto Rico , ranging from luxury resort to municipal , and they are spread throughout the island with many clustered near historic San Juan in the northeast ,” said Brad Dean , CEO of Discover Puerto Rico .
“ Not only does the island have what most discerning golf travelers seek — great courses , lodging options near water , travel ease and wonderful food — but golf in Puerto Rico is coming off a record year with demand rising dramatically ,” added Dean , who formerly shepherded golf tourism in Myrtle Beach , S . C .
All 18 of the courses in Puerto Rico are public , so you don ’ t have to stay at resorts to play , but if you do , you may experience villa-style casitas , terraces , personal plunge pools and patios on resort properties .
And while any of the courses on this Caribbean island would offer a day well
TOP RIGHT : The St . Regis Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club . BELOW : Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico and Grand Reserve Club . spent , check out three courses around the Greater San Juan area and two courses on the west coast in Aguadilla to get you started :
GREATER SAN JUAN Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve
grandreservegolfclub . com Host of the Puerto Rico Open for nearly 15 years , the Championship Course has challenged the games of the PGA Tour ’ s top stars and wowed countless guests with seaside and mountain views during their rounds .
The Championship and International courses are both Tom Kite-designed 18-hole tracts dotted by water features and coconut trees . Both are also positioned adjacent to the El Yunque National Forest and the Atlantic Ocean and each course offers numerous tee boxes with yardages to make rounds enjoyable for all skill levels .
St . Regis Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club
reservations . bahiabeach @ stregishotels . com This property claims to “ blend elegance and unspoiled natural beauty .” It features 483 gated acres of maritime forest in an oceanside setting and a highly rated 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones , Jr .
Coconut trees frame the fairways and golfers will encounter not only numerous water features and greenside bunkering ,
WHAT TO DO IN THE SAN JUAN AREA ?
• Old San Juan – Restored section from the 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial period with cobblestone streets , old-world European charm .
• Castillo San Felipe del Morro – Built in the 16th century and named for King Philip II of Spain , this fortification guarded the entrance to San Juan Bay .
• El Yunque National Forest – The only subtropical rainforest in the U . S . National Forest Service system , El Yunque features 28,000 acres of hiking trails , streams and waterfalls with 150 native ferns and 240 tree species .
• Kayaking in a bioluminescent bay – Microscopic organisms in the water emit a glowing light when your paddle moves , creating an underwater sparkler effect at night . There are three sites : Vieques , Fajardo and La Parguera .
WHERE TO EAT IN GREATER SAN JUAN ?
• El Ladrillo ( at Dorado ) – Regarded as a culinary landmark with savory seafood and steaks . Cozy dining room has just 20 tables .
• Mario Pagan Restaurant ( in San Juan ) – Upscale experience with an international menu featuring local ingredients .
• Lola Eclectic Cuisine ( in Ponce ) – Fusion of flavors and colors in historic district .
• Cowboys Cantina ( in Rincon ) – Casual outdoor dining located on a mountain , this restaurant is known for its grilled ribs , steaks , burgers and barbecued meats .
• Jungle Bird ( San Juan ) – Leisure cocktail bar offering tropical drinks combined with an ever-changing food menu . Note : Puerto Rico is the largest rum producer in the United States and is the birthplace of the piña colada .
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