In The News

One hundred and thirty-two Korn Ferry Tour Pros teed off for The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, hosted from January 14-17th, setting the tone for an invigorating year of golf in the Caribbean. Garnering buzz from golf pros and fans from around the globe, the coveted PGA TOUR-sanctioned event marked the seventh year that Sandals Resorts has hosted the Korn Ferry Tour Season Opener at the award-winning Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course. 

The course set the stage for the next generation of PGA-Tour stars to vye for a chance to secure one of 30 coveted Tour Cards. Up-and-coming golfers such as Aldrich Potgieter, Fred Biondi, and Ricky Castillo graced the field, looking for an opening win to the Korn Ferry Tour season. After four rounds of competitive gameplay, Jeremy Paul took home a career-first win at 17 below par. He was named champion at the winner’s trophy presentation and closing ceremony on January 17, capping off a successful tournament.

“To kick off our season at Sandals Emerald Bay on a golf course of this level gives us the perfect test. It is truly one of the most exceptional golf courses in the entire Caribbean,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin on the Sandals PalmCast. “You have two very distinct features from the back nine to the front nine. Holes 11 through 16 run alongside some of the most beautiful water in the entire Caribbean. It’s scenic, challenging, has incredibly narrow landing areas, and is an exceptional competitive test for our players.”

Located at Sandals Emerald Bay Golf, Tennis & Spa Resort and designed by Greg Norman, the award-winning Emerald Bay Golf Course in Great Exuma, Bahamas, is renowned for its cliff-side views, six signature holes, and prevailing trade winds, as much as its bold layout and year-round 80-degree weather. Guests travel here for the golf and unique vacation experience alike, enjoying a la carte dining at eleven restaurants and swimming along one mile of Exuma’s electric blue coastline.

Counting Down, Caribbean Style: Pre-Tournament Events

A series of festivities preceded the tournament, from a VIP Welcome Party attended by Bahamian Olympian Pauline Davis-Thompson to the annual Sandals Pro-Am Competition and an impactful youth golf clinic. 

On January 13, the Sandals Pro-Am competition paired 64 amateur players, including Sandals Emerald Bay guests, with Korn Ferry Tour Pros for an 18-hole round of play. The team led by pros Cody Blick and Danny Walker took the victory, setting the stage for an evening of celebration at a VIP Awards Party hosted by Sandals Emerald Bay.

Beyond the fairways, Korn Ferry Tour pros hosted the annual Youth Golf Clinic in collaboration with Nelson’s Rangers, supported by the Sandals Foundation. This local community program, dedicated to uplifting underserved children, extended a warm invitation to over 70 local youth who honed their golfing skills under the expert guidance of Korn Ferry Tour professionals. Afterward, players and guests traded their golf spikes for swimsuits to swim with the world-famous pigs of Exuma.

Swinging into Two Thousand Twenty-FORE

As a premier destination for golf in the Caribbean with award-winning courses in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and The Bahamas, Sandals Resorts offers complimentary green fees and transfers across its award-winning golf courses. Guests can play at Upton Estate Golf Course in Ocho Rios, Cap Estate Golf & Country Club, Gros Islet, St. Lucia, and a ‘USA Today Reader's Choice Award winner for Best Caribbean Golf Course" Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course, Exuma.

Sandals Resorts guests enjoy an expanded range of Titleist® and FootJoy® products at all its award-winning golf locations as part of its partnership with Acushnet Company. Additionally, Sandals Resorts guests can pre-book tee times before their trips through the Lightspeed® golf course software, available at all Sandals Resort’s golf courses.

To learn more about the award-winning Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course, please visit www.sandals.com/golf/, and to book your next stay, visit: https://www.sandals.com/emerald-bay/.