TROPICAL LINKS
Indeed it is. The 7,123-yard layout was built
to be a “tropical links,” which combines
green complexes backdropped by palm
trees with ever-changing winds that reward
a lower ball flight and tend to narrow the
largely generous landing areas off the tee.
Strategic decision-making is rewarded
more so than pure power.
Memorable holes include the beachside
fifth, a 312-yard par 4 bookended by two
par 3s. Although it’s tempting to go for it
off the tee—which means carrying both a
palm tree and bunker directly in front of
the green—the smarter play is an iron or
hybrid up the right side, leaving a short
chip to the multi-tiered green. The closing
trio of holes is equally as memorable with a
Cape-style par-4 16th, the par-3 17th with
an elevated tee and panoramic view of
the ocean to the right, and a strong par-5
closing hole.
The links-style course also requires landing approach shots short of many holes,
rather than directly on the firm greens.
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That theme is no surprise given who
designed the course in 2004.
“Donald Steel, Martin Ebert and I all love
links golf: the role that the ground game
plays; the shot options; the variety; the sandy
ground,” says Tom Mackenzie, who has
worked with Ebert at their own Englandbased course design company 2005. “The
Abaco Club may not be Scotland, but there
seemed to be the potential to create a tropical version of links golf there. The site is also
very windy, and on many days a target golf
course would have been an utterly miserable
experience to play.”
ABACO AMENITIES
The off-the-course experience is anything
but miserable. Dining options include the
open-air Cliff House restaurant located
on a bluff overlooking the sea and the very
casual Buster’s Beach Bar, while fishing and
boating are other favorite activities. The
only method of transportation on the property is golf carts, and the crescent-shaped
beach is stunning.
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But for Andrews, the appeal of The Abaco
Club goes well beyond the amenities. “We
use the term