Cabot Saint Lucia is on the northern tip of the island nation in the southern Caribbean.
Having seen Point Hardy, it’s hard to imagine not wanting to play it again and again, based entirely on the visuals. The same goes for the entire island nation of Saint Lucia. Idyllic beaches are frequently fringed by volcanic cliffs rising abruptly into steep hills and small mountains covered with tropical rain forest until everything tops out at 3,120 feet with Mount Gimie. The island currently has only two golf courses, both operated by Sandals, but its shorelines seem purpose-built for dramatic golf holes in much the same way the sport fits so naturally onto the Monterey Peninsula in California.
The drive to Cabot’s new property at the north end of the island, which is only 27 miles long, consumes nearly two hours depending on traffic through the capital city of Castries. The route zigs and zags across the mountains on sometimes skinny roads that feature deep ditches to handle heavy rainfall, plus a wide range of meandering dogs at seemingly every corner.
Saint Lucia’s population of some 180,000 is largely of African descent, and a long history of European imperialism ended in 1979 with the island’s independence. The nation is part of the British Commonwealth, and English is the predominant language along with local Creole. Tourism keeps the island afloat, and it’s common for multiple huge cruise ships to be docked in port at Castries. A quick look about the place and it’s easy to see why so many Europeans and North Americans choose to vacation in Saint Lucia.
That motif certainly extends to the 300-plus acres Cabot purchased for its residential community and golf course, slated to open in December. Cliffs, blue water, native flora, birds, salt spray – those are all jaw-dropping contributors to a wonderful walk in the park.
The par-4 fifth, par-4 sixth and par-3 seventh (as seen while construction wraps up and grass is grown) play down a valley, with the string of holes ending at one of the most dramatic settings at Point Hardy Golf Club at Cabot Saint Lucia. (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
But on Coore’s early visits, he didn’t spend all that much time looking down upon the surf. Instead, he kept peering up at the frequently steep and tricky ground above the cliffs.
“We knew the golf course was going to inherently be extraordinarily spectacular and dramatic,” he said. “Our concern is, with the elevation change here with it being a…
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