SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (Jan. 20, 2021) – Four Puerto Rico golf venues have garnered the distinction of being voted onto “Golfweek’s Best 2021: Top 50 Courses” in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the Atlantic Islands.
The four Puerto Rico courses are:
- TPC Dorado Beach, East Course, by Robert Trent Jones Sr., renovated by RTJ Jr. (2011)
- The St. Regis Bahia Beach, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. (2008)
- Royal Isabela, Links Course, designed by David Pfaff with Charlie and Stanley Pasarell (2009)
- Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve (formerly Coco Beach), Championship Course, Tom Kite (2007)
Courses ranked within the Top 50 in this year’s Golfweek’s Best compilation – which is updated annually – hold more distinction than in past years. This stems from Golfweek expanding the list to include courses from the Atlantic Islands.
The Puerto Rico courses are primarily located in the greater San Juan area (Northeast Region), except Royal Isabela, which is perched atop 150-foot cliffs overlooking the ocean on the Island’s Northwest tip.
The East Course at TPC Dorado Beach is one of two 18-hole courses at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Golfers learn quickly what awaits them as they approach the first tee, which sits resplendently adjacent to turquoise surf and sandy beach.
The golf course at The St. Regis Bahia Beach is part of the luxury resort renowned for its eco-sensitivity and Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary status. Views of El Yunque, the only rainforest in the U.S. National Park System, speak to the pristine biodiversity nurtured in the area.
Royal Isabela is a boutique luxury resort with sweeping views of the ocean from its place high above the sea. The resort’s 18-hole Links Golf Course is buffeted by stout prevailing winds, making rounds there a thrilling experience.
Testament to the high quality of the Championship Course at Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve – one two 18-hole playing options there – is found via its place as the host venue for the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open.
“These are superb golf courses and resorts, and this honor is well-deserved,” said Leah Chandler, Discover Puerto Rico, Chief Marketing Officer. “They accentuate our tropical setting and remarkable ocean views, and all are renowned for their first-class service and well-designed layouts. There are 18 courses in Puerto Rico, all open to the public, and these four are indicative of their collective quality.”
To compile the best-of list, hundreds of Golfweek course raters evaluated courses throughout the countries and islands, scoring them based on 10 criteria, including routing, memorability of holes, greens and surrounds, conditioning and ecology, and tree and landscape management.
Puerto Rico is an enchanting destination where history, culture, gastronomy, nightlife, beaches, hotels and resorts abound. It requires no passport for American citizens, is bilingual, uses the U.S. dollar for currency, and is the air hub of the Caribbean. There are more than 4,000 restaurants, and the lodging venues range from top hospitality brands to being named a top 10 Airbnb world destination.
