THE BVIs:
° The Baths
° Sailing the BVIs
° Soggy Dollar
° Willie T's

ST. THOMAS:
° The Essentials
° Carlotte Amaile
° Best Beaches
° Things to Do

The Golf Courses of Aruba
Tierra del Sol Plus Two 9-Hole Courses Are On the Island

Even when on an island, a lot of people like to spend time on their tropical vacation avoiding the beach.

For them, a good, green fairway is preferable to sand traps. For they are on a golf course, and Aruba welcomes them with one main course and two manageable 9-hole options that can make even a double-bogey not seem so bad.

Aruba's golf courses are led by Tierra del Sol, an 18-hole championship course that hosts the Aruba International Pro-Am Golf Tournament each summer. In this event – Aug. 28-29 in 2011 – features teams of professional and amateur golfers from around the world. (It's interesting to note that the Taste of Aruba takes place on Friday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.).

Tierra del Sol, designed by Robert Trent Jones III, plays 6.503 for me and 5.002 from the ladies tees and has a par of 71. It has wide fairways and elevation changes with views of the ocean, as well as the skyline of Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad.

The cart and a bucket of range balls are included with the greens fees. There are locker rooms and a restaurant. Tee times are 7 a.m.-4:50 p.m. by calling (297) 586-0978 or in advance at several of the island's resorts (about a 10-minute drive from the course). Club rentals are available. Green fees run from $92 to $159, depending on the time of day.

Aruba also has two 9-hole courses, The Links at Divi Aruba and Aruba Golf Club.

The Links at Divi Aruba is a beautifully landscaped 9-hole course surrounding luxury vacation villas at the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort Designed by leading architects Litten & Viola, the course is open to the public with preferred tee times for Divi Resort guests and members, and offers professional golf instruction for both individuals and groups. Green fees vary by season and time of day.

Aruba Golf Club is the oldest course on Aruba. Opened in 1939 by L.G. Smith and Governor Wagemaker in 1941, it is situated just outside of San Nicolas. It is a desert setting with astro turf greens. Water hazards and sand traps add a challenge to the course, which can be played from different tees during 18-hole rounds. The Aruba Golf Club is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Green fees are just $20 for 9 holes and $30 for 18-holes. Clubs can be rented for $10 and carts are available at the pro shop.

For more in Aruba and its golf courses, visit www.Aruba.com

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