Sandals Emerald Bay hosted the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic – the first PGA Web.com Tour event of the year – from January 10-16, across its 500 acres on the unspoiled island of Great Exuma. Golfers and guests of the Luxury Included® resort traveled from near and far to participate in this exciting golf event at one of the most renowned courses in the world, the Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course. Designed by golf legend Greg Norman, the Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course is recognized as the longest and one of the most scenic 18-hole, par 72 ocean-side golf courses in the Caribbean. It’s no wonder Sandals Emerald Bay was recently voted the Bahamas Best Golf Hotel by World Golf Awards for a third consecutive year!
The festivities kicked off on Thursday, January 16 with a Nelson’s Rangers golf clinic for local children, where Web.com players Rico Hoey and Paul Imondi helped the children perfect their swings. A Caribbean ‘Junkanoo’ Pro-Am Draw Party featuring a Web.com Tour Player Panel wrapped up the day. On Friday, January 17, Web.com players Ryan Brehm and Michael Johnson joined up with the Sandals Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International – to make a meaningful contribution to the local community through a Reading Road Trip excursion, in partnership with Scholastic. Attendees visited Roker’s Point Primary School, where they read with the children and played frisbee and basketball. Many attendees participated in the Sandals Foundation’s “Pack For a Purpose” program by bringing along up to 5 pounds of school supplies.
The official Pro-Am kicked off with a Breakfast of Champions on Saturday, January 12. Greg Norman played the 18-hole course he designed alongside Web.com players and golf enthusiasts. All players enjoyed the fantastic weather and challenging fairways. The back nine holes showcase the breathtaking waters along the Exuma Sound, and the front nine wind through mangroves and seaside dunes. Sandals Emerald Bay hosted a Pro-Am Awards and Cocktail Party at the Drunken Duck, a charming re-creation of the cherished British pub. Web.com player Harry Higgs’ team took home the gold.
The Pro-Am was only the start of the week’s exciting events. The professional Web.com Tour competition kicked off on Sunday, January 13, with Greg Norman’s ceremonial tee shot. On Wednesday, January 16, Marty Dou was named winner of the Web.com Tour. Spectators with the Presidential Pro-Am Players Package were provided with a Golf Channel All-Access Pass, which included a behind-the-scenes production tour during live TV coverage of the Web.com Tour. Sandals Emerald Bay guests and tournament attendees also had the opportunity to meet and greet with Greg Norman in the “Shark Shack” golf lounge, named after the Hall of Fame Member and Course Designer himself.
Sandals Emerald Bay is excited to announce it will host the 2020 PGA Web.com Tour for a fourth year from January 9-15, 2020. Golf lovers can book their stays for the 2020 tournament as part of Sandals® Resorts’ signature LIV+ Events program, which affords guests incredible inclusions across passion points including music, culture, sports and volunteerism.
With the success of the Greg Norman designed golf course at Sandals Emerald Bay, Sandals is also working with Greg Norman and his Greg Norman Golf Course Design team on a new project – the Sandals Cap Estate Golf and Country Club in St. Lucia. The 18-hole Sandals Cap Estate golf course will be converted by Greg Norman and the Greg Norman Golf Course Design team into a new, international standard championship golf course.
Sandals Emerald Bay is reputed to be one of the finest resorts in the Bahamas, affording guests a sophisticated yet casual getaway to revel in. With unlimited golf – including green fees for butler level guests – as one of the resort’s many inclusions, Sandals Emerald Bay is a true golfer’s paradise. Beyond the green, guests will enjoy all the indulgences that come with a Luxury Included® vacation, including a private mile-long beach, three swimming pools, unlimited land and water sports, unmatched luxury accommodations, and 5-Star Global Gourmet dining at eleven specialty restaurants. Guests can also choose to add on bucket list excursions via Island Routes, such as swimming with the famous Exuma pigs.
To learn more about the award-winning Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course, please visit www.sandals.com/golf/bahamas. To learn more about the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, please visit www.sandals.com/pgawebcom. To learn more about Sandals Emerald Bay, please visit https://www.sandals.com/emerald-bay/.