As a frequent visitor to Grand Cayman, I am concerned with the deteriorating situation regarding the accessibility of golf facilities on the island for stay-over visitors as well as residents.
The recent acquisition of the Links at SafeHaven by the Ritz-Carlton development group has virtually eliminated affordable access to the only full-length 18-hole golf course on the island.
The current plan calls for the Ritz developer to add nine of the Links’ holes, now the North Sound Club, to its existing Blue Tip nine-hole layout. Blue Tip is exclusive to owners and guests of the Ritz-Carlton.
The other golf course facility, Britannia, was originally designed as an 18-hole executive par-three course, but is played mainly as a full length nine-hole course for which it was not designed. The condition of the course has also not really full recovered from the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan. In addition, the fees at Britannia have increased considerably since the increase in the North Sound Club fees.
Tourism Minister Charles Clifford has recently been referring to the increase in stay-over visitors, which are only now reaching the levels of 2003 and still nearly 20 per cent less than 2000. Unless some effort is made to increase the golf accessibility situation on the island, I cannot see much prospect for a continuing improvement in tourism numbers.
Tourists are now planning their vacations to destinations offering reasonable golf facilities and their numbers are increasing every year. With alternative destinations continuing to open up offering these facilities, Cayman could see an eventual decrease in stay-over visitors or at best remain at the status quo.
I know of visitors who will not be returning next year if the North Sound Club ceases operation. There are too many other alternatives open to the golf visitor, with Bermuda being one of the prime attractions with its nine to ten courses including an excellent municipal course.
Ron Morris
Unionville, Ontario
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