Port Royal Golf Course: A cynosure of golf
Port Royal Golf Course, originally named as Southampton Golf Club and one of the world's most famous grand public golf courses, is located on the coastal bluffs of Bermuda at Southampton Parish, Port Royal.
Lush greens and stunning textures of trees surrounding the area add to the beauty of the course.
The prestigious golf club was found in 1965 under the chairmanship of Reginald Tucker. However, the construction did not start during the same year as the club officials failed to convince the frontend landowner Mr. Munroe to sell his property.
As a result, Robert Trent Jones Sr., the original designer of the course, had to remap the course from 7,200 yards to 6,500 yards.
Yet, it was a great move for many because it led to the creation of the signature 16th hole which is known for its cliff, tee box, to green running water coming from the Atlantic Ocean. In simple words, the Atlantic Ocean runs through the course on the 16th
hole.
The golf course provides some of the best views of oceans from several holes. It is also truly a golfers’ ‘paradise’ with gorgeous greens, beautiful views and healthy environment.
Textures and the variety of the bunkers are exceptional, as they vary from hole to hole and sometimes even within the holes.
Jones incorporated the latest technologies in order to make it one of the best golf courses around the world. He used TifGreen 328 Bermuda grass to develop the greens and Zoysiagrass for the fairways.
In 1970, the course was complete and available for the players to enjoy the best of it. The total amount spent on the development was £449,000 exclusive of the £18,210 as architect fees.
Nearly after four decades, the club officials decided to renovate the course and spent $14.5 million in order to make it ready for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in 2009.
The renovation project was headed by the Roger Rulewich, a member of the original designing team in 1965.
There were many changes made to the original design, such as the length, curves, number of bunkers and width of the holes available.
As a result, the course became relatively difficult compared to the past. The psychological requirements of the new layout are incessant, as every drive appears to demand a forced carry.
Perhaps because the game of golf itself is so unrelenting in intensity, its experience is wonderfully agreeable.
The course looks quite fair and driving the ball seems to be easier if the hits are made straight. The fairways are just more than generous.
However, the real difficulty starts after the first shot is played. Sometimes it requires three-wood or even five-iron on the second shot of almost each hole.
The new design also incorporated the narrowness of the fairways. While playing the first shot, players find plenty of space on the fairways.
However, they start getting closer as a player reaches the greens. Therefore, accuracy plays a key role when it comes to getting a low score out of it.
By and large, it is a cynosure of the game and an exclusive enclave. While playing at Port Royal, one feels as if he is in a different world, away from the tensions and other problems in life.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: