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Blue Bay Golf

By George Oxford Miller

Championship Rocquemore course offers easy reservations, no waiting

In Curaçao, golfers never say "weather permitting" because it always does. But with only one championship course, Blue Bay Golf and Beach Resort, the island remains off the radar for most golfers. That means quick and easy reservations and no waiting for a great day of golf.

With stunning views, seaside fairways, and deceptively tricky greens, the 18-hole par-72 Blue Bay layout challenges all levels. Plus, the constant sea breeze plays havoc with those arching drives and iron shots.

Besides golf at historic Landhuis Blauw, an indigo plantation from the 1700s, Blue Bay Resort keeps visitors busy with its beach, swimming pool, playground, dive operation, and kayak rentals. The golf course hugs the scenic shoreline, and plays alongside small lakes and lagoons.

Players encounter iguanas basking on sunny fairways; flamingos, ducks, and egrets foraging in the water hazards. As an added test for your powers of concentration, several of the rolling fairways and greens drop abruptly over sea cliffs, so forget about retrieving errant balls. Hole 5 plays over a sea cliff. Hole 17 starts with a blind tee shot, and ends with a downhill green sloping into the sea.

Each July and December, Blue Bay Golf and Beach Resort sponsors the unique MCB Platinum Card Curaçao Tourist Open. Visitors and locals team up in foursomes to play by Texas Scramble rules: After each tee-off, contestants play from the lay of the team's best shot, but must choose four tee shots from each player during the round. Look for low scores, loads of fun, new friends, and a clubhouse full of prizes. The event includes a clinic, awards ceremony, live music during happy hour, and dinner.

William "Rocky" Rocquemore of Atlanta, with 174 courses to his credit, designed the well sculpted course, similar to his award-winning seaside courses in Portugal. Golf Magazine named his courses best of the year three times, so Blue Bay comes with a world-class pedigree.

Facilities include a putting green, driving range, pro shop, club and shoe rentals, beverage cart service, and bar. Three- and five-day packages and golf lessons are available. Greens fees for 18 holes (in USD through December 17, 2009) are $90 before noon, $70 after noon. The 9 hole rate is $50. Non-players accompanying golfers pay $ 8 cart fee per person. Club rentals $45-65, lessons $45 per person, per half hour - or take 7 golf lessons and pay for 6. Landhuis Blauw, 599-9-868-1755, info@bluebaygolf.com, bluebaygolf.com.

Another local course, at Curaçao Golf and Squash Club, offers nine holes with sand greens.