While it’s probably fair to say that the golfing spotlight was firmly planted on the revamped Blue Monster at Doral during the WGC Cadillac Championship, the world’s best slugging it out in Miami weren’t the only PGA Tour players doing their thing last week.
A little over a thousand miles to the South East, nestled in the exotic Caribbean lies Puerto Rico and it is here that the guys who just missed out on a place at the World Golf Championships were competing at the Puerto Rico Open. While a chance to take on Donald Trump’s remodelled Blue Monster Course is certainly nothing to be sniffed at, upon having a closer look at his course in Puerto Rico – yes, Trump owned both host courses showcased on the PGA Tour last week – I can’t help but think those just outside of the top 50 in the world golf rankings had the better deal last week; it’s simply stunning!
The reach of Donald Trump’s ever expanding golf empire stretches far and wide and having acquired a stunning patch of land just 30 minutes east of the Luis Munoz Main International Airport, Trump set transforming what was once Coco Beach & Country Club into Puerto Rico’s “first course of legendary proportions”. Like with most of his golfing projects, “The Donald” seems to have fulfilled his own lofty ambitions at Trump International Golf Club.
This stunning venue actually boasts two championship golf courses so it’s case of quantity and quality on offer here for visiting golfers. Originally the 36 holes here were separated into four nine-hole loops but following Trump’s takeover, the existing Lakes, Ocean, Mountain and Palm nines were combined to create two separate 18 hole championship courses. A composite course has been formed on an annual basis to host the Puerto Rico Open since its inception onto the PGA Tour in 2008.
Both golf courses at Trump International were originally designed by former US Open Champion Tom Kite, and while the Championship Course weaves its way through a series of sparkling lakes before making its way to the stunning Puerto Rican coastline, the International Course takes a more inland route through rolling hills and beautiful green mangroves.
As you may have guessed the original Lakes and Ocean nines were combined to create the Championship Course while the remaining Mountain and Palm nines made up the International Course.
Much like his well publicised acquisition of Doral in Miami and more recently of Doonbeg in Ireland, Donald Trump’s takeover has seen this resort go from strength to strength and Trump International Golf Club now offers a golfing experience as good as anything in the Caribbean.
Some golfers prefer the rolling terrain and elevation changes found on the International Course while others have a soft spot for the more punishing test found at the Championship Course, where stray shots can often find a watery grave.
As they say, there is no accounting for taste and while we would not be so bold as to say one course is better than the other, the fact that playing both will really put any golfer through their paces, testing not only the shot-making skills often required on the international, but course management as well; a particular key to scoring well on the Championship.
Of course while it is certainly a key ingredient, golf isn’t the only thing we look forward to on a golf holiday and to tick all of the other boxes, we’d recommend checking in to the amazing Gran Melia Golf Resort which is just a stone’s throw from Trumps Caribbean golfing haven.
Nestled against the backdrop of the El Yunque rainforest which also frames the golf courses just a stone’s throw down the road, Gran Melia Golf Resort is a tropical oasis situated on a mile-long stretch of the beautiful Coco Beach.
A selection of extraordinary restaurants and bars, a lagoon-style swimming pool, as well as tennis courts and amazing spa facilities mean you’ll never be short of things to do during your time away from the fairways and the fact that guests also enjoy exclusive privileges at Trump International Golf Club makes this combination of accommodation and golf tough to beat for anyone eyeing up a holiday to Puerto Rico.
