Golfing in the Virgin Islands

Pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, charming local culture and centuries of intriguing history all contribute to the allure of the three beautiful Caribbean gems - St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas - which comprise the United States Virgin Islands. Thousands of vacationers who visit this tropical American paradise each year return home feeling invigorated, relaxed and refreshed after days spent indulging in the luxuries of Caribbean hospitality that is native to the USVI. Countless opportunities for recreation, adventure and discovery abound; from shopping and sightseeing to scuba diving and snorkeling, it's all in a day's play in the U.S.V.I. Yet while visitors to this U.S. territory never fail to pack their bathing suits and beach towels in anticipation of days spent basking on sun-splashed beaches, many leave behind what they would be well-advised to bring along - their golf clubs. It may surprise many golfers to know that in addition to being a tropical paradise, this U.S. territory is home to several superior golf courses - designed by such renowned architects as George and Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones - which challenge golfers of all skill levels.

US Virgin Islands Golf Courses

There are no courses on tiny St. John, but its two sister islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix are home to memorable links which rival top courses elsewhere in the world. St. Thomas' Mahogany Run, a George and Tom Fazio design, boasts 18 of the most beautiful and challenging holes in the Caribbean. Golfers extol the virtues of this 6,022-yard, par-70 championship course for its sheer beauty and exhilarating play, especially on the 13th, 14th and 15th holes. This signature trio, aptly nicknamed the Devil's Triangle, turns an already ambitious round of play into a veritable cliffside drama, where golfers must overcome a formidable stretch of Caribbean Sea that sprawls between the tee and the green.

Located just 20 minutes from the popular port of Charlotte Amalie on the north side of the island, Mahogany Run has fast become a favorite among cruise ship passengers, resort vacationers and island residents alike for its easy accessibility and variety of golf packages available. President Clinton, who tackled the course's challenging contours during his first trip to St. Thomas in December 1996, returned for an enthusiastic second round one year later, describing play as "very challening."

Under the direction of general manager Kristine Macken and golf pro Nevin Phillips, Mahogany Run has just received the finishing touches to a multi-million dollar renovation project that includes a 270,000-gallon desalination plant and irrigation network designed to provide the most efficient course maintenance in the Caribbean. The new system guarantees optimal playing conditions throughout the year despite the region's occasional dry spells, making Mahagony Run a viable golf destination year-round.

Along with eight tennis courts, three beaches, four restaurants and other full-service amenities, The Buccaneer resort on St. Croix also boasts a spectacular 18-hole golf course which sprawls across much of the property's 340 acres from its hilltop building down to the beautiful shoreline. Known as the island's most scenic course, this challenging par-70 course encompasses 5,810 yards worth of sloping fairways, deceptive bunkers and water hazards.

In addition to fabulous views of the Caribbean Sea, on clear days select holes offer glimpses of St. Thomas and St. John, lying 38 miles north across the sea. Designed by Bob Joyce, the course also offer magnificent panoramic vistas of Christiansted harbor to the west and world-famous Buck Island National Park to the east.

Another set of 18 beautiful and challenging holes awaits on the north shore of St. Croix at the Carambola Golf Club, where golf pro Greg McCulloch and course superintendent Tonly Felix oversee this award-winning, par-72 creation. Designed by legenday golf course architect Robert Trent Jones and set in a valley of storybook design, the lush fairways of Carambola's championship course roll past shimmering lakes, brilliant bougainvillea and stately palm trees. Site of the annual LPGA Golf Tournament and winner of Golf magazine gold medal, the course is located 10 minutes south of Carambola Beach and is set amidst tropical greenery and lush hillsides.

For golfers less inclined or able to tackle the more challenging 18-hole course varieties, The Reef Golf Course on St. Croix's Teague Bay offers nine holes of enjoyable golf spanning more than 3,100 yards of beautifully maintained fairways and greens. Nestled in a valley below The Reef Villas on the eastern end of the island, the course challenges the good golfer, while its open layout also allows beginners to enjoy the game.

British Virgin Islands Golf Courses

Currently there are no golf courses on the islands of the BVI. However, a die-hard golfer need not despair: from Tortola or Virgin Gorda the ferry ride to St. Thomas' famous golf courses (see above) will be shorter than your commute back home, and a heck of a lot prettier!

If the golf courses of St. Thomas and St. Croix aren't enough to keep you satisfied, Puerto Rico is only a short flight away, and offers dozens of high caliber golf resorts.