Rosewood Tucker’s Point

Rosewood Tucker’s Point

Description:

The island of Bermuda lies approximately 1070 kilometers (665 miles) off the east coast of the United States in the Atlantic Ocean. In 2017, the British Overseas Territory hosted the 35th America’s Cup in the famous Great Sound, which sits on the west side of the archipelago. Rosewood Tucker’s Point resort is located on the north-east side of the island, only about 4.5 kilometers away from LF Wade International Airport. The Tucker’s Point Golf Club, a grand building positioned on a hilltop, is part of the resort community here and guests are welcome – they’ll find a complimentary day locker for their gear.

Bermuda is known as ‘the Jewel of the Atlantic’, and the Tucker’s Point golf course proves it is a small jewel in a very large ocean. From some higher spots, you can see both ends of the island. Large elevation changes on the layout are the key feature of this course, which was redesigned by American Robert Rulewich in 2002. He took a layout that was originally designed by Charles H. Banks in 1932 and embraced the hilly terrain that overlooks Castle Harbor to the north, Harrington Sound to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The course boasts of beautiful coastal views.


Elevated tees, undulating fairways, links-style holes and slick TifEagle greens make this a fun but not overbearing challenge. However, the great elevation changes mean you must be careful which club you choose for each shot, according to Jack Bridges, First Golf Professional at Rosewood Tucker’s Point.
“The Golf course has extreme elevation changes that move naturally with the landscape,” Bridges said. “Robert Rulewich is the former chief designer for Robert Trent Jones. His biggest challenge was laying a course over such hilly terrain. It’s a great golf course that provides a challenge, but won’t beat up the mid- to-high handicapper.”
“In terms of playability, the large elevation changes on almost every shot sets it apart from most other golf courses in the world. Elevation changes here can account for a three-club difference in some places.”
Golf carts equipped with GPS course guides will help you traverse the hills and give you distances to greens and hazards.

The challenges: Elevation changes and varying wind conditions off the Atlantic can make club selection difficult. The pro’s tips: “Favor being on the fairway over distance. The rough can get very thick and the ball will always sit down. Past the rough there is dense vegetation; hit your ball in there and you won’t retrieve it. When it’s breezy swing easy!”
When to play: Open year-round. The perfect months are May/June and October/ November, although the average monthly temperatures are just fine throughout.
Par: 70
Yardage: 6200 yards, 5669 meters
Slope: 124
Rating: 69.5
Best hole: Hole 17 is a drivable par 4 with about 315 yards (288 meters) to make it on the green after a slight dog-leg left. The elevated tee box provides a stunning view of Castle Harbor.
The pro says:
“The large elevation changes on almost every shot sets Tucker’s Point apart from most other golf courses in the world. Match this with some of the strong ocean breezes that we get and you are in for an interesting game!”
Jack Bridges, First Golf Professional
The resort experience:
Rosewood Tucker’s Point is a highly-recognized luxury resort, having earned the AAA Four Diamond Award, Forbes Travel Guide – Four-Star Resort, and Golf Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Award for Best Resorts of The Americas all in 2016. There are 88 suites and guest rooms with bright interiors and classic décor that suits the British seaside colony.
The resort has two swimming pools to bathe your blues away. The Castle Harbor Pool has a lap lane as well as private alcoves when you want a break. The Palm Court Pool overlooks a sunken grotto known as Coffee Chine. The chaise lounges and private cabanas are perfect for kicking back in. Snacks and drinks can be ordered alongside both pools.
Sense Spa will help your body’s rejuvenation on this visit to Bermuda. From massages to manicures, expect to be pampered at this Rosewood facility. The Sense of Bermuda Experience is a signature service – over 4.5 hours you receive a Cedar Warming Massage, facial, manicure and pedicure, followed by fresh lunch.
The resort is about five hours’ flight from the east coast of the US, but a short drive from the airport.

Dine and wine:
After golf, you have two sound options right in the club house. You can enjoy a steak in the Grill Room or sit down for authentic Italian at Sul Verde as you watch over Castle Harbor. Back at the hotel, you can book a table for breakfast or dinner at The Point. This signature restaurant features 80-foot-long (24-meter-long) murals that depict eight seaports on its walls. The menu highlights include grilled local swordfish with neck clams and Wadson Farm chicken breast stuffed with pine nuts and chanterelles. I’ll be trying a five-course tasting menu (you can pick “Land” or “Sea”).
Within the Point Restaurant, slip into the Wine Room, which features some 3000 bottles on display. You can choose a candlelit dinner here, too. The Chef’s Table sounds like a fun experience, dining in the kitchen next to Executive Chef Gerry Adam. Then there is Tucker’s Bar for drinks with views of Harrington Sound, Sur Mer – the Beach Club Restaurant that sits by a pink-sand beach as well as the Beach Club’s Bar, which will serve you poolside or at the beach.
The accommodation:
Even the basic guest rooms have fine coastal views of Castle Harbor or Harrington Sound. The Manor House Superior Room (500 square feet, 46 square meters) features a balcony, walk-in showers, separate bathtub, and dual vanities. Bathrobes and slippers are provided as well as plush Italian linens. At the other end of the scale, the Walsingham Suite (1650 square feet, 153 square meters) has a dining area with wet bar, living area with a fireplace and a half-bath for guests. The king-size bed and en-suite bathroom you’d expect.

Other activities:
Before indulging at the Sense Spa, you may want to earn your treatment in the 1900-square-foot (176-square-meter) fitness center, which has a lawn for yoga and Tai Chi. You’ll find four clay tennis courts and pros ready to sharpen your game, as well as a croquet lawn, too. But I’m really interested in the water sports here. The Dive & Watersports Centre will sign you up for a diving adventure aboard the Tidal Pull, a 31-foot (9-meter) dive boat takes you out to explore untouched coral reefs, caves and other dive sites in the pristine waters. Deep-sea fishing expeditions, windsurfing, and Kruger and Laser sailing boats are also available.

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