Virginia Golfer Sept / Oct 2016 | Page 37

Island Hopping LET’S FACE IT. WHEN YOU GET TO THE BAHAMAS, YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO LEAVE. SO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRIP AND CHECK OUT THESE OTHER COURSES AND RESORTS. THE REEF COURSE AT GRAND LUCAYAN grandlucayan.com/the-reef-club.com ISLAND: Grand Bahama Island CITY: Freeport The Reef Course at Grand Lucayan in Freeport, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., has hosted the PGA’s Bahamas National Open, the Senior PGA Slam and many other tournaments. The links-style course is wide open, peppered with challenging bunkers and 13 holes with water hazards. Bring your short game to shoot low. The resort is offering a “Grand Golf Getaway” package featuring unlimited golf for guests with island view rooms. Rates starting at $306 per night with two night minimum stay. THE OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE BAHAMAS oneandonlyresorts.com/oneand-only-ocean-club-bahamas.com ISLAND: Paradise Island CITY: Nassau The Ocean Club has hosted the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic since 2013, so you know it’s prepared to challenge even the world’s best. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, the Ocean Club is carved into the peninsula on Paradise Island, so wind is always a factor. Pinpoint accuracy is required to navigate all of the water and whitesand bunkers. And the resort itself? Definitely worth your perusal. SANDALS EMERALD BAY GOLF COURSE sandals.com/golf/bahamas.com ISLAND: Great Exuma CITY: Rokers Point Settlement Start your round with dunes and mangroves and finish along the rocky shores and peninsula of Emerald Bay. Designed by the Shark, Greg Norman, the Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course stretches to 7,000 yards but offers five different sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels. Stay-and-play packages at the Sandals resort include two free rounds for any room and unlimited golf for butler suites. The adjacent Grand Isle Resort & Spa offers a couples package that includes one round of golf and one spa treatment (or two rounds of golf if preferred) plus a garden view villa for $499 per night. At The Ocean Club, you can’t get any closer to the sparkling azure waters and white sandy beaches. vsga.org S E P T E M B E R /O C T O B E R 2 0 16 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R 35