Trevor Ng
Golf is making a comeback in Eleuthera, a former hub for the sport in the Bahamas. The island's golfing history is centred around the Cotton Bay Club, which in the 1950s and 60s was a celebrity vacation destination. The club closed in 2005, but Eleuthera is now home to the Jack's Bay Club & Resort, which features a golf course designed by Tiger Woods. The course is part of a residential community with amenities such as private pools and rooftop decks. Another Cotton Bay Club golf course is also in the works, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, who has designed over 200 courses worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golf in Eleuthera | Golf is coming back to Eleuthera, a former hotbed of the game in the Bahamas |
| Location of golf courses | Jack's Bay, Cotton Bay Golf Course |
| Course designers | Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones II |
| Course details | 10-hole course, 18-hole course, 2 nine-hole loops, social green, par-5 6th hole |
| Additional amenities | Dive shop, marina, private islands, beach |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Golf is coming back to Eleuthera
Eleuthera, a former golfing hotspot in the Bahamas, is set to revive the sport on the island. The island, with a population of just 12,000, has a rich history in the sport. In the 1950s and 60s, the Cotton Bay Club was a celebrity vacation destination, developed by Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan American Airways. Trippe was an avid golfer and member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews. He hired Robert Trent Jones Sr. to design the original Cotton Bay course, which opened in 1959.
The course was a pioneer for golf in the Caribbean, hosting a Shell's Wonderful World of Golf match between Arnold Palmer and Julius Boros in 1968. After Trippe's death in 1981, the club changed hands and eventually closed in 2005 after sustaining hurricane damage. Now, Robert Trent Jones II, son of the original course designer, plans to bring golf back to the island.
The new Cotton Bay course will feature two intimate clockwise nine-hole loops and a large "social green" putting course. The course will be built on most of the former Cotton Bay course's acreage, with a brand-new routing. The Cotton Bay Club will offer exceptional amenities, including Ocean Fox, the first full-service dive shop on South Eleuthera in over 30 years, Davis Harbour, a private marina, miles of private beaches, and two privately-owned islands for residents and guests.
In addition to the new Cotton Bay course, Jack's Bay will also feature two world-class golf courses. One is the existing Tiger Woods Playground Course, and the other is the first-ever Jack Nicklaus Heritage™ course. This marks the only time these two great golf design teams have come together on one private property in the Caribbean. With breathtaking bluffside views, Jack's Bay promises to be an inspiring golfing destination.
Eleuthera is easily accessible from Nassau and South Florida by commercial air carriers, and an exclusive partnership with Sentient Jet will offer private jet services to and from the island. With its rich golfing history and exciting new developments, Eleuthera is poised to become a premier golfing destination once again.
Golf's Return: A Resurgence or a Fad?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Jack's Bay Golf Course
The Tiger Woods Playground Course is a ten-hole golf course designed by Tiger Woods Design, with plans for a future expansion to a full 18-hole course. This course offers breathtaking bluffside views, inspiring golfers like the greatest seaside courses worldwide. Jack's Bay also provides a range of captivating experiences beyond golf, including adventurous water activities, meditative hiking trails, and natural lakes.
The Jack Nicklaus Heritage™ course is designed by Nicklaus Design, the world's leading golf course design company. This 18-hole championship layout was announced in April 2023, adding to the golf offerings at Jack's Bay.
The original Cotton Bay Golf Course on Eleuthera Island was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and opened in 1959. It played a pivotal role in pioneering golf in the Caribbean, hosting a Shell's Wonderful World of Golf match between Arnold Palmer and Julius Boros in 1968. However, the club closed in 2005 due to hurricane damage. The new golf course at Jack's Bay, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, pays homage to the island's golf history while introducing a modern golfing experience.
Golfer Ted Potter Jr.'s Marital Status Revealed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cotton Bay Golf Course
Golf is making a comeback in Eleuthera, an island in the Bahamas that was once a hub for the sport. At the forefront of this revival is the Cotton Bay Golf Course, which has a rich history dating back to the 1950s and 1960s when it was known as the Cotton Bay Club. The club was developed by Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan American (Pan Am) Airways and the Intercontinental Hotel Group, and an avid golfer himself. Trippe hired renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to design the original Cotton Bay course, which opened in 1959 along the beautiful waterfront on the southern third of Eleuthera.
The Cotton Bay Club was a popular vacation destination for celebrities during its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1968, it hosted a Shell's Wonderful World of Golf match between Arnold Palmer and Julius Boros, further cementing its reputation as a premier golf destination. However, the club changed hands after Trippe's death in 1981 and eventually closed in 2005 due to hurricane damage.
Now, Robert Trent Jones II, the son of the original designer, is bringing the Cotton Bay Golf Course back to life. The new course will be built adjacent to the former one and will feature two intimate clockwise nine-hole loops with a large "social green" putting area. Jones has stated that he aims to create a modern-day masterpiece in Caribbean courses, embodying environmental sustainability and paying homage to the rich golfing history of Eleuthera.
The Cotton Bay Golf Course will be an 18-hole signature private course, offering breathtaking views of the waterfront and providing access to exceptional amenities. These amenities include Ocean Fox, the first full-service dive shop on South Eleuthera in over 30 years; Davis Harbour, a private marina; miles of private pink-and-white sand beaches; and two privately-owned islands for residents and guests to enjoy. With its convenient accessibility from Nassau and South Florida, Cotton Bay is poised to become a premier golfing destination once again.
Is Professional Hockey Player Grant Horvat a Scratch Golfer?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tiger Woods Playground Course
Golf is coming back to Eleuthera, a former hub of the sport in the Bahamas. Jack's Bay, a new private club and residential community in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, will feature two world-class golf courses: the existing Tiger Woods Playground Course and the first-ever Jack Nicklaus Heritage™ course. This marks the only time that these two great golf design teams have come together on one private property in the Caribbean.
The Tiger Woods Playground Course at Jack's Bay is a spectacular 10-hole, par-3 golf course created by Woods' TGR Design. The course sits atop a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with holes ranging from 55 to 170 yards in length. The Playground is designed for golfers of all skill levels to enjoy, with a variety of configurations that make it fun for families and friends while still challenging the best players. In addition to the golf course, The Playground at Jack's Bay offers breathtaking views, with elevations of up to 80 feet, pink-sand beaches, and nearly four miles of beachfront.
The Jack's Bay community will offer approximately 500 residences, including artfully designed golf and club villas, club suites, and spacious estate lots. The Playground Residences will be turn-key, fully-furnished homes with two to four bedrooms, each featuring a private pool, rooftop deck, wet bar with wine storage, owner's closet, and covered carport.
In addition to the existing 10-hole course, Tiger Woods and TGR Design are also working on a planned 18-hole, championship-caliber golf course at Jack's Bay. This course will be developed as the community matures, with other amenities such as a clubhouse, tennis facility, adventure program, and sustainable aquaponic farm for organic farm-to-table dining.
Understanding Golf Scoring: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course
Jack's Bay in Eleuthera, Bahamas, will be home to the first-ever Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course. This will be one of two golf courses on the property, the other being the Tiger Woods Playground Course. The Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course will be an 18-hole championship layout.
The Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course will be designed by Nicklaus Design, the world's leading golf course design company. This will be the only golf course in the Caribbean to feature designs by both Nicklaus Design and Tiger Woods Design.
The course will be located on breathtaking bluffside property, offering stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape. Jack's Bay spans over 1,200 privately-owned acres and boasts nearly four miles of beachfront, providing a one-of-a-kind backdrop for residents and guests.
In addition to the golf courses, Jack's Bay will offer a range of amenities and experiences. These include adventurous water activities, meditative hiking trails, natural lakes, and underwater exploration opportunities. The community will also feature fully-furnished residences with private pools, rooftop decks, and wet bars.
The development of the Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course at Jack's Bay marks a significant step in reviving golf in Eleuthera, which was once a hotbed of the game in the Bahamas. With its rich history and world-class golf courses, Jack's Bay is sure to become a premier destination for golfers and enthusiasts alike.
Scott's BMW Golfing Adventure: An Unforgettable Experience
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, golfing is coming back to Eleuthera, which was once a hotbed for the sport in the Bahamas.
There are a few options for golfing in Eleuthera. The Cotton Bay Golf Course, which was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1959, is being revived by his son, Robert Trent Jones II. Another option is the Jack's Bay Club & Resort, which features a Tiger Woods Playground Course and the first Jack Nicklaus Heritage course.
The costs of golfing in Eleuthera vary. Some sources mention an initiation fee of $50k for access to certain courses, while others state that playing at the Cotton Bay Golf Course is free, and one would only need to bring their own golf equipment.
