BUSINESS BRIEFS
Radisson Cable Beach Resort Golf Course Getting New Look
From Staff Reports
NASSAU, BAHAMAS (Oct. 1, 2001) – The Radisson Cable Beach Resort Golf Course, Nassau's first public golf course, is undergoing a total redesign and complete transformation designed to upgrade the entire course and related facilities. Operated by the 700-room Radisson Cable Beach Resort, the only resort in Nassau to offer championship golf as part of its all-inclusive program, it promises to be one of the finest recreational courses in the Caribbean upon completion.
Golfers looking to swing into action won't want to miss-out on the free, unlimited greens fees incorporated into the resort's all-inclusive program.
The golf course is presently undergoing an enhancement project that will reshape the course's fairways, reposition its greens, add challenging new hazards and insure better year-round playing conditions thanks to the addition of special salt-tolerant grass. The major changeover, which is the first to the Emmet Devereaux-designed course in more than 70 years, is taking place in two phases in order for nine-holes to continuously be open for play until the project is completed in September of 2002.
The Radisson Cable Beach Resort engaged the services of Clermont, FL-based Mr. Fred M. Settle Jr., whose work includes courses in the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia. He is redesigning the existing golf course and construction of the overall golf operations.
"The Radisson Cable Beach Resort wanted a resort golf course that could be enjoyed by all who play the game," said Fred Settle Jr., course designer. "The newly designed course will feature spacious fairways guarded by a network of lakes. The greens will be guarded by mounding, which will create the containment needed to help the golfer who hits the occasional stray shot. The course will have a minimum of sand bunkers, but will have a number of grand depressions to create the needed inoculation in order to properly drain the course from the occasional tropical showers."
The course will measure approximately 6,800 yards from the championship tees to 5,600 yards from the resort tees and will play to a par of 72. "In other words there are a set of tees for golfers from all skill levels to enjoy," Settle added. The greens will be large and receptive with a minimum of undulation but will be fun to putt. The chosen grass will be Salom Paspallum. Salom Paspallum can withstand the salty sea breezes, tropical climate and still maintain a lush green condition on a year-round basis, thus creating a golf ball tie second to none.
The transformation from old to new will now put the tees for holes #1 and #10 within steps from the clubhouse. This will create a convenience for guests to stop at the clubhouse at the end of nine holes for a quick lunch and refreshments if so desired. The practice facility has been redesigned to accommodate the serious golfer or the novice to receive instruction and practice under actual course conditions.
The character of the course will change in a number of significant ways. The addition of tiers to the greens and catchment areas will establish containment around the greens. Less sand bunkers and bigger tees in width and length will be added, with different areas of teeing at each hole for three levels (ladies, seniors and champion). Fairways will have containment to keep each hole separate from the others and a lot of undulation with improved drainage. Some holes will be lifted up as much as four to five feet, and the newly planted salt-tolerant, Paspallum grass will make for healthier conditions throughout the year.
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The course will also see a reversal of its front and back nines. The back nine is open for play until December 25, 2001 when all 18 holes will be playable up to January 7, 2002. At that point work will proceed on the nine holes that will ultimately become the resort's front nine. Holes one and ten will now have shared greens with a sand trap separating them. The new Fred Settle design will also create the appearance of a small island surrounded by water dividing the holes.
"The newly designed golf course has been planned to accommodate the resort player," noted Settle. "Approach shots to the greens will give the feel of hitting down to them with an element of containment to keep balls from running astray," he added. Vacationers on the Radisson Cable Beach Resort's all-inclusive plan receive free, unlimited greens fees as one of the many all-inclusive features offered. (A nominal $30.00 cart fee per round is not included). The regular fee for non-guest players is $120 per round of golf.
The Radisson Cable Beach Resort in Nassau, The Bahamas, redefines the concept of a tropical vacation by being "The Only All Inclusive that offers its guests MORE" – More entertainment, More dining, More fun and More hospitality. With six restaurants, five bars and lounges, a seven-acre waterscape, a multitude of land and water activities, and a welcoming feeling that is as warm as the Bahamian sun, an all-inclusive vacation at the 700-room resort offers everything a guest looks forward to - and more.
Set on world-famous Cable Beach, adjacent to one of the Caribbean's largest casinos the Radisson Cable Beach Resort is conveniently located 10 minutes away from the island's international airport and colorful downtown Nassau.
Visit the Radisson Cable Beach Resort on the World Wide Web at http://www.radisson-cablebeach.com or e-mail the resort at info@radissonbahamas.com.
