Legendary golf course architect Ron Kirby has given his final stamp of approval to his most recent piece of work following a four-day pre-opening visit to Apes Hill Barbados last month.
Set within 475 acres of natural, unspoilt terrain and perched on one of the highest points of Barbados, 1,000ft above sea level, Apes Hill is the most elevated golf experience on the island, with stunning views over the Caribbean Sea to the west and Atlantic Ocean to the east
Kirby’s visit followed hot on the heels of an exclusive opening to the Apes Hill Barbados members and guests on November 1. The course has enjoyed a whirlwind first month as players highlighted its playability and variation, along with several new ‘wow-factor’ holes that enhance the experience.
Kirby, 89, who has collaborated with design greats such as Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus in a distinguished career, is perhaps most noted for his work at Old Head Golf Links in Ireland.
“When I saw Apes Hill for the first time, I saw there were hills and vistas that were just superb,” Kirby said during his recent visit to the site. “You can see both the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean in many places. You have the elevation, so I thought all we had to do here was make sure that visitors can enjoy the time and take in those vistas; if I could get the holes to play with the vistas in the right position.
“The fun at Old Head and the fun at Apes Hill are the vistas, and you just feel like you want to get out here and enjoy it on a course that has such world-class views as the backdrop. To everyone who plays at Apes Hill, I want them to walk away and say this was a fun golf course.”
Kirby’s work – aided by experienced shapers Justin Carlton and Gary Shapiro – began in 2019. The layout has been crafted around the surrounding landscape and indigenous tropical forests, with sustainability at the forefront of the resort’s aim to make it the most environmentally responsible golf course and resort development in the Caribbean.
Fairways and tees have been re-laid using the more drought-tolerant Zorro Zoysia grass and the greens with TifEagle. Both surfaces will help reduce the number of sprinklers needed from approximately 1,800 to 800. The resistance of these grasses to insects also further reduces the reliance on fertilisation and use of pesticides, with a view to eventually becoming ‘chemical-free’. Meanwhile, the construction of a reservoir that can hold up to 58 million gallons of rainwater will help fully irrigate the resort, with hundreds of trees, fruits and vegetables being planted around the property.
The new layout stretches to 7,002 yards, although four teeing options make it playable for all levels with the shortest at 5,034.
“We put four tee boxes in so that we could cover levels for every golfer,” Kirby said. “From those who can strike it pure to the average players and then beginners. We have made this mix so that Apes Hill can be fun for everybody. Also, I only needed to use what land we had, and so did not want to abuse what nature had given us. Sustainability means you don’t build anything you cannot maintain. We have used grasses that are tolerant to drought.”
Kirby added: “I am proud to be a part of Apes Hill Barbados and I can now sit back and say it is one of mine. I can say that about 140 or 150 golf courses, but this is a special one. t is hard to find a golf course anywhere that has everything we have here at Apes Hill.”
To complement the golf course, a state-of-the-art Performance Centre and floodlit driving range are due to open soon. A short par-three course – with holes ranging from 95 to 150 yards – will open in 2023, while an additional 19th hole played to an island green, and a clubhouse are set to be completed during the first quarter of the year.
Guests will be able to enjoy a range of other amenities such as a fitness centre and health club, hiking and nature trails, eight flood-lit padel and two tennis courts, while a spa is also in development.
Apes Hill Barbados also has a range of luxury residential and vacation properties in development, with pricing to be announced in early 2023.