Florida
On northwest Florida's Gulf Coast on the shores of Lake Powell, the Greg Norman-designed Shark's Tooth Golf Club is on Golfweek's list of "America's Best Residential Golf Courses" for 2009, as it has been for the last five years. It's a Silver Signature Sanctuary Course, 7,209 yards long beneath oaks and pines, with five fairways bordering the lake and numerous wooden bridges crossing streams and estuaries. The course is part of the WaterColor Inn and Resort's golf collection, which also includes Camp Creek (Tom Fazio) and The Origins Course (Davis Love III); vacation guests and residents enjoy privileged access. Prospective buyers of residences at WaterColor and WaterSound Beach may take advantage of the WaterColor Discovery Package, which includes a private community tour, two nights at the award-winning boutique WaterColor Inn, unlimited golf and a $100 resort credit.
 Texas
40 miles from Corpus Christi in Port Aransas, the new Arnold Palmer-designed Newport Dunes Golf Club is a true links course, with no trees, plenty of wind and deep, walled bunkers, just as on the Ould Sod. Arnie said, "The signature holes are 13, 14, and 15 along the Gulf of Mexico, routed through natural sand dunes, very windy with native dunes grasses that contribute to the Scottish feel. Each of the holes offers spectacular views of the beach and the ocean." On historic Mustang Island, Newport Dunes homes are reminiscent of Italian villas; a 5-star high-rise resort and golf-view condos are in the works. Interested buyers can book a stay-and-play package. The golf course is open to the public for a limited time.
top of page
 Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
On a coastal bluff between Punta Espada and Las Iguanas golf courses, both of which are signature designs by Nicklaus Design, Golden Bear Lodge and Spa is new luxury condo concept created by the Golden Bear. 98 condos are divided into 70 two-bedroom and 14 one-bedroom apartments and 14 studios, with swimming pools and sea views. In the clubhouse is a restaurant and bar, a business center, spa and private golf practice facilities. Here in the sprawling new Cap Cana tourist and residential development are six Troon-managed courses and a variety of upscale real estate. The year after opening Punta Espada in 2006, Cap Cana recorded nearly $690 million in residential sales, including a one-day record of $350 million. Owners at Golden Bear Lodge have special privileges at Cap Cana, from golf to the beach club, restaurants, the 1,000-slip marina, and concierge services. The Dominican Republic has more golf courses than any other Caribbean island.
top of page
 Bahamas
A new expansion of the world-wide Ritz Carlton Club, the Abaco Club on Winding Bay in the Bahamas is comprised of estate home lots (each with over 200 feet of beach, ocean or golf course frontage), buy or rent cottages, cabanas, fractional residences (cabanas, studios and homes), and golf and social memberships. Members and guests are loving the new Scottish links-style, Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie-designed, 7,183-yard golf course set on high ocean bluffs and in tropical jungle, with spectacular oceanfront holes. Among Ritz Carlton Club member fractional ownership opportunities are the new golf cabanas, each with French doors to a screened-in and furnished porch, master suite with walk-in cedar closet, a sitting area with sleeper sofa and lounge chairs, high tech electronics and wet bar; the usual luxury club amenities include pre-arrival provisioning, concierge, twice-daily housekeeping, private clubhouse, beach club and more.
top of page
 Mexico
Overlooking the Sea of Cortez on the Baja Peninsula, with five miles of beach frontage, Paraiso del Mar is a new residential and resort development just minutes by ferry from La Paz. This is one of the most affordable oceanfront second home opportunities in the western hemisphere, anchored by a Colonial-style, cobblestone plaza with shops, restaurants, artisans, and outdoor events. Swimming pools, tennis, miles of nature trails in wildlife sanctuaries and beaches are part of the package. In sizes from 1,450 to 3,100 square feet, homes, villas and condos sell from the low $200,000s to $1,000,000+.
The Paraiso del Mar Golf and Country Club features a links-style, Arthur Hills-designed golf course and practice facilities, with a second course on the drawing boards. New buyers may buy golf memberships for $20,000. Members and renters have access to the beach club, boat club and marina; club members receive preferred tee times and exclusive areas within the clubhouse. A pod of nearly 50 dolphins takes its daily cruise for fish offshore!
top of page
 South Carolina
20 miles from Charleston, the last waterfront home sites are up for grabs at the private Briars Creek community on 900 acres of Johns Island. The development will have just 115 homes on 1- to 3-acre sites, selling from $400,000 and $1 million. Many of the heavily-wooded sites have frontage on the private lake, the canals, or on Briar's Creek, with views of the Kiawah River and pristine wetlands. On 900 acres of Audubon Silver Sanctuary, the 7,117-yard Rees Jones golf course was voted the top new private course by Golf Digest in recent years. The track rolls softly between marshes and lagoons, sharing the low country with abundant wildlife; six tees soften the sting for the average player. The lakeside Nature Center is headquarters for fitness facilities, tennis, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and hiking trails.
top of page
|
