Doonbeg developers in Caribbean venture

Kiawah Development Partners (KDP), the South Carolina company behind the five star Doonbeg Golf Club in West Clare has embarked on their second major development outside of the US. The project will see the development of a luxury resort at Christophe Harbour on the Caribbean island of St Kitts.

Included in the 2,500 acres development is an 18-hole Tom Fazio designed golf course, a mega-yacht harbour and marina village, residential real estate, restaurants,  shops, boutiques and luxury hotels.  KDP is leading the project for the Christophe Harbour Development Company (CHDC).

KDP which developed the five star Doonbeg is also known for its success at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.  KDP opened its 18-hole Greg Norman designed championship course at Doonbeg in 2002.  All of the other facilities there including the Lodge, restaurants, bars, spa and accommodation opened in 2006.

The course at Christophe Harbour has been designed by Tom Fazio, an influential golf course designer with a track record which includes the renowned River Course and Osprey Point in Kiawah Island, it is envisaged Christophe Harbour will benefit the local economy by driving the future of tourism for St Kitts.

The island’s Prime Minster, Dr Denzil Douglas, who attended the official groundbreaking this month commented: “Christophe Harbour will be among the finest in the world, and part of a massive resort development that will make St. Kitts and Nevis one of the most desirable destinations in the Caribbean, and indeed the entire world”.

With an enviable climate and pretty much cloudless skies for 320 days a year, it's easy to see why the Caribbean island is such a popular destination tourists. English is spoken by most West Indians and there are a good number of affordable flights to the island.

The course, set to be open for play in 2011, will be built atop a volcanic ridge and along a natural inland cove. Planned over 250 acres, the Par 72 course will be 7,250 yards from the back tees. In addition to the terrain, wind will be considered a major design element and will influence shot selection choices in the upper holes.

The mountainous environment, sweeping views of two oceans, and spectacular design will make the project unique – a “must play” international venue for golf aficionados.

Designer Tom Fazio comments; “The striking landscape here allows us to take full advantage of both the mountain ridges and lower cliffsides. Golfers will enjoy the incredible panoramic views across the ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and over the harbour and to Basseterre and Nevis. The drama of the landscape variation and the views will make this course different from any other in the Caribbean.”

Careful environmental preservation has been a fundamental to the course’s design:  steps have been taken to curb erosion and sustain the environment, to include water filtrations through Reverse Osmosis (RO) and planned wetlands treatments including groups of saltwater mangroves that treat runoff water.    

For sales enquiries and to request a brochure, please visit www.christopheharbour.com.

Christophe Harbour Golf: An Overview

Background

The master developer of Christophe Harbour, Christophe Harbour Development Company (CHDC) is led by Kiawah Development Partners (KDP), known for its success at Kiawah Island, South Carolina and Doonbeg Golf Club, Ireland. Kiawah Island is home to seven courses: five resort courses, including the famed Ocean Course, and two private courses - The River Course and Cassique. The Doonbeg links course has been recognized as one of the top courses in the world since it opened in 2002.

Environmental preservation is a fundamental goal of comprehensive planning efforts for the Kiawah and Doonbeg courses. At Doonbeg, a “least disturbance” policy was employed, with golf play routed around the oldest intact dunes; and fairways mowed to natural contours. At Kiawah, several championship golf courses have been certified by Audubon International as Cooperative Sanctuaries. This award-winning education and certification program recognizes golf courses and other facilities for sensitivity to environmental protection.

At Christophe Harbour, Christophe Harbour Development Company, under the direction of KDP, will utilize the same fundamentals to create an award-winning golf course integrated with nature for a challenging and enjoyable golf experience.
 
Quick Facts

• Expected to be open for play in 2011.
• Projected to be one of the best courses – if not the best – in the Caribbean.
• Designer: Tom Fazio, who is regarded as one of the world’s preeminent and prolific golf course designers. He has created more than 200 top-ranking golf courses.
• The proposed 250-acre golf course is located along the southern shore of the Great Salt Pond and set atop Priddies Plateau, 500 feet above the ocean. The course will offer incredible panoramic views across the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to Nevis, and across the Harbour to Basseterre.
• Maintenance: Ocean water will be treated via reverse osmosis (RO) plant processes, and used for irrigation.

The Course

• Grasses:  Bermudagrass is planned for the tees, fairways, roughs, and greens.  
• Course attributes: Par 72; 7,250 yards from the back tees. Five sets of tees.
• Wind will be considered a major design element and influence play, especially in the upper holes.
• There will be a 20-acre practice facility and teaching center located at Turtle Beach.
• The fairways will be sand capped to create firm and fast conditions.
• The course will be built atop a volcanic ridge and along a natural inland cove of water --  the Great Salt Pond
• The course will be routed over rugged elevations, down to sea level and back up to high ground.
• The first nine holes will be distinctive, built upon land that ranges from 100 ft. to 400 ft. elevations, and edged by ocean ledges. There will be sweeping views from every hole.
• The back nine will play along lower elevations bordering the Great Salt Pond, offering dramatic views of the Caribbean Sea, Whitehouse Bay, and the harbour.
• The finishing holes 17 and 18 will play out from Green Point, elevated above Ballast Bay, and will finish along a cliff edge.
• The unique volcanic environment, dramatic ocean views, and creative design will make the Christophe Harbour course different from any other course in the Caribbean -- a “must play” course, and a destination unto itself.

The Designer

• Tom Fazio, one of golf’s preeminent and most prolific golf course designers.  
• Designed nearly 200 courses, in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Barbados.
• Throughout 40 years of golf course design, Fazio and his staff have been recognized for creating award-winning courses.
• No living designer has more credits on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses and Golfweek’s collection of America’s Best.
• Fazio Golf Course Designers, Inc. is noted throughout the industry for the designers’ excellence.  
• The Christophe Harbour course is his Fazio’s first solo course design in this part of the Caribbean.
• Fazio has adhered to the premise that “golf courses should reflect the natural beauty of their environment.”
• The Christophe Harbour course will have harmonious transitions from existing topographical conditions, and provide optimum use of the land and views.
• Fazio Golf Course Designers has worked with KDP on three highly rated courses, two of which are at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.

Environmental Considerations

• A Reverse Osmosis facility is planned to treat ocean water for irrigation.
• Natural boulders and outcroppings will be used and/or recreated throughout the course.
• Current plans call for approximately 100 acres of turfgrass.
• Wetlands treatments are part of the plans for the course, and would potentially include groups of saltwater mangroves that would treat runoff water before it flows away to other bodies of water.