US Airways - March 2013 - (Page 46)
Adventure
The first phase, opened last summer,
is Royal Isabela.
A boutique resort and membership
club, Royal Isabela is unlike anything
in golf-mad Puerto Rico, an island
better known for its mega-resorts and
global chains. An intentional throwback, Royal Isabela is part of the niche
neoclassical golf trend, a soul sibling to
Oregon’s Bandon Dunes, Nova Scotia’s Cabot Links, and Tasmania’s
Barnbougle Dunes, where passionate
golf-loving owners have built courses
in the spirit of early Scottish and Irish
links. As such, the Pasarells’ target
market is like-minded golf lovers —
with perhaps a taste for five-star luxury
accommodations.
“This course design was not about
moving earth, but how the earth
moved us to tread gently,” says Charlie. “We are not the creators of Royal
Puerto Rico’s
Golf Renaissance
st. regis
bahia beach
resort
46
march 2013
usairwaysmag.com
Isabella. We are its caretakers.” To this
end — and to the chagrin of his maintenance staff — Stanley, who lives
on-site, has taken stewardship to a
personal level. No tree, plant, or shrub
can be removed without his written
permission. Part of the family farm is
now a nursery, and the brothers are
intent on restoring native species.
More than 20,000 indigenous plants
have been grown and nurtured, and
every plant and blade of grass added to
the golf course and surrounding landscape was grown on their farm. They
created the El Pastillo Conservation
Trust, which preserves the area’s
uniquely rich ecosystem by protecting
more than 100 acres of majestic coastal cliffs and beaches. With their farm
an Eden of sorts, most of the produce
served at the resort, from plantains to
fruit juices, is grown on-site.
Resort guests might not be aware of
these extensive environmental efforts,
but there’s no way for anyone not to
notice — and love — the golf course.
Occupying cliff-top highlands, the
course is a visual wonder. While many
such designs rest on the laurels of their
dramatic scenery, Royal Isabela is also
a delight to fans of golf architecture.
The first six holes are sort of a “jungle
links,” with the fast, firm fairways of
the British Isles woven through lush
tropical flora rather than dunes. The
next three are more typical of the
Caribbean, with water hazards and a
well-executed par-3 island hole atop a
gorgeous pedestal of stonework, like
an ancient castle foundation. By the
end of the front nine you could not
be blamed for thinking Royal Isabela
would be fantastic even without the
stunning oceanfront terrain. But the
best is yet to come.
The tenth plays down to the edge
of the terra firma, kicking off a stretch
of oceanfront vistas. A cliff-side horseshoe green at the highest point of land
affords panoramic views while putting.
The eleventh is a very short, precise
par 3 along the coast — Puerto Rico’s
answer to the world-famous No. 7
at Pebble Beach. The next hole features an epic drive across a roiling
ocean, evocative of Hawaii’s jagged
Kona coast.
This drama continues throughout
the back nine, culminating with No.
17, simply one of the most strategic
and memorable one-shotters anywhere. Truly strategic par 3s are about
Inset photo couRtesy of st. RegIs bahIa beach
Royal Isabela, 73 miles west of San
Juan’s airport, is the best example of
the island’s commitment to outstanding golf courses. But an island-wide
golf renaissance is underway in
Puerto Rico. Plans are in place for up
to four additional courses at Costa
Isabela. Other notable happenings
include a renovation of the Tom Kite–
designed Trump InTernaTIonal
Golf club with two 18-hole courses,
and the renovation of the classic
Robert Trent Jones Sr.–designed
DoraDo course for the newly
opened Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel.
An acclaimed new Robert Trent Jones
Jr. course, one of the island’s best,
is located at the sT. reGIs bahIa
beach resorT.
Royal Isabela Is paRt of the nIche
neoclassIcal golf tRend, a soul
sIblIng to oRegon’s bandon dunes
and nova scotIa’s cabot lInks.
http://www.usairwaysmag.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - March 2013
US Airways - March 2013
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Musical Pilgrimages
Hub Crawl: Denver Airport
Wine & Dine: Chef's Tables
Wine & Dine: Artisan Cheeses
Great Escapes: Cypress Inn
Adventure: Washington, DC by Bike
Great Escapes: The Gathering in Ireland
Adventure: Puerto Rico Golf
Charlotte EDC
Great Escapes: Barcelo Hotels and Resorts
Gear Up: The Smart Kitchen
Travel Feature: The Rome Less Traveled
US Airways Feature: Order Up!
Great Tastes: Phoenix Dining
From Philly, With Love
Route of Discovery: San Luis Obispo, California
Atlantic 10 Conference
Great Dates
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?
US Airways - March 2013
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