The course is located adjacent to the ocean, making the wind is a big factor to reckon with on most of the holes; Norman has compensated by designing wide, forgiving fairways. Each hole has a gold and black pro and tournament tee, blue and white men’s and standard tee, and ladies red tee. The latter (5137 course yards) enable ladies who can not drive the ball 200 yards to tee off into a good approach shot.
The majority of the holes are a Par 4 with some gentle doglegs and some interesting Par 3s just begging for a hole in one. The topography is gently rolling throughout. and the links are surrounded by scatterd Bahamian broadleaf coppice handwoods, allowing easy location of sliced shots. The plan is to let the course vegetation mature for full bloom for the opening in mid-2008.
Holes 10,11 and 12 have been coined the “Sharks Teeth” and considered the most challenging due to the bunker placement, changing elevations, and long narrow fairways. (Intimidating even the great “Shark “ himself: Norman actually hit a gentle fade into the trees on his tee shot on hole 10.) The greens on 10 and 11 finish up with beautiful Atlantic views. Players who finish these holes without a bogey will have earned their rum punches back at the clubhouse. The original course was built on the grounds of a former British colonial plantation and the stone ruins of servants’ quarters lie between holes 11 and 12. One of the most unique aspects ever integrated into a course design are the “blue holes” on holes 15 and 17. Not visible from the tee on 15, these are deep water hazards that are actually subterranean passages to the nearby Atlantic that were sacred to the aboriginal Lucayans, the original Bahamians. What looks like an easy Par 3 will snag your ball if you hit a draw shot. Your putting game will be challenged progressively as the greens vary in length, pin placement, and speed for a lot of two-putting. Although my game was cut short by a driving rain, those dressed appropriately for the occasional bad Bahamas rainstorm will find the course pretty accommodating in inclement weather; most of my group finished up the last few holes despite the downpour.
The overall challenge and pleasure of play, flow and pacing of our game and tropical ambience is a testament to the thought that was put into the Blue Shark Golf Course layout and design.
Some of the other club amenities include valet parking, iced towels for those rounds in the strong Bahamian sun, pro shop and rental clubs, and a clubhouse for island hospitality. There are plans on the board to construct a newer clubhouse located at a higher elevation to take in the ocean views.
Blue Shark will be a semi-public course upon opening and will feature the Blue Shark Members Circle, which will number 30 of the courses first members. Membership will be in conjunction with the planned New South Resort.
Competing with only a handful of courses throughout the islands of the Bahamas, Blue Shark is poised to be a 21st century model of quality, striking beauty, respect for the environment and challenge for all levels of players.
