GRAND CAYMAN (DATE) – “The Shark” lived up to every expectation, delighting and inspiring dignitaries, guests and would-be pros, and enchanting an adoring crowd with his charisma, charm and larger-than-life personality. Greg Norman, PGA Hall-of-Famer and one of the sport’s most enduringly popular figures, played the inaugural round on his much-anticipated Blue Tip Golf Course January 6 at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, and all who attended saw first-hand what being a top-flight brand is all about.

“We have been anticipating this moment since the Grand Cayman project first got underway, and the Grand Opening – with Greg leading the charge to the final hole – more than lived up to every one of my hopes,” said Mike Ryan, owner and developer of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. “From the first day Greg and I spoke, the goal was to create a course that was truly outstanding.  Blue Tip exceeds that expectation.”

Originally contracted to design the course, Norman became so involved in the project that he agreed to have his company, Greg Norman Golf Course Design, build it as well, according to Ryan. To launch the course in style, “The Shark” played the first round, followed by the Governor of the Cayman Islands, Stuart Jack, and his wife, local dignitaries, hotel guests and Residence owners who concluded with a closest-to-the-pin contest on the immaculate ninth hole green. All proceeds from the contest and Grand Opening festivities benefited the local Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.

The first golf course to be built on Grand Cayman in a decade, Blue Tip is situated by the island’s famed Seven Mile Beach and was designed with player pleasure and environmental sensitivity in mind. Course features include a challenging terrain, diversity of layout, natural beauty and design innovation that have become hallmarks of Norman’s Golf Course Design organization. 

Blue Tip is a 3,515-yard, par 36 course offering five sets of strategically placed tee boxes for varied play at all levels. Players are challenged by crystal clear water which comes into play on eight out of the nine holes. The course features five long, rolling Par Fours and a 600-yard picturesque Par Five. Additionally, the course is engineered to avoid or minimize any impacts to its natural surroundings, a trait for which Greg Norman Golf Course Design is famous.

A Ritz-Carlton signature Golf Caddie Concierge Program enhances the playing experience at the Blue Tip course. This program provides a professional attendant to accompany each golfing group and cater to every wish before, during and after a round of play. In addition to offering advice on precise yardages, club selection and strategy in handling tricky Caribbean trade winds and water, the caddie cleans clubs, rakes bunkers and repairs divots. Blue Tip also offers a pro shop, private and group instruction and rental equipment.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman golf course, spread over 120 acres, could have been designed for 18 holes. After viewing the property, Norman recommended building a superlative, nine-hole course instead. While many nine-hole resort courses are little more than glorified “executive” courses, Blue Tip’s stats have already earned it a reputation as a “Caribbean Monster”, and with the Caribbean breeze, it is always a new challenge.

Although Norman seemed little affected by the local challenges, regular players report this to be either a tremendous challenge or an enjoyable round depending on the tee selection, something Norman specifically focused on and was pleased with the results: “With the decision to design Blue Tip as a nine-hole course, we felt that the natural challenges would make the course a memorable experience for golfers of all levels.”

Owners of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman enjoy two lifetime memberships and preferred tee times at Blue Tip. This is the latest luxury amenity offered to Residence owners as part of the “Seven Wonders” package, which also includes professional instruction at the Nick Bollettieri-designed tennis center; treatments at the 20,000 square-feet Silver Rain, a La Prairie spa, and its adjacent fitness center; the Ambassadors of the Environment family program by Jean-Michel Cousteau; succulent meals at two on-property restaurants by chef Eric Ripert; top-of-the-line interior furnishings; and extraordinary Concierge services that can include arranging a personal chef for in-Residence dining and coordinating private jet service.

Rates for Blue Tip are $110 for nine holes, $175 for 18 holes and $100 for Twilight (after 2:00 p.m.). Costs include green fees, cart fees, range balls and Caddie Concierge services.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Situated on 144 acres stretching sea-to-sea from the acclaimed Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, blend a lush Caribbean backdrop with classic British-Colonial architecture. The resort features 365 guestrooms and suites, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean, five dining venues including two restaurants by Eric Ripert of top-ranking New York restaurant Le Bernardin, several bars and lounges, a 6,000-square-foot luxury retail emporium featuring premium brands, the island’s largest ballroom, a tennis center by Nick Bollettieri, the Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau children’s program and a Greg Norman-designed nine hole golf course.

For more information, visit www.residences-cayman.com/V2/

About Greg Norman Golf Course Design

GNGCD was formed in 1987 in Sydney, Australia and is particularly famous, and recognized by PGA pros and amateurs alike. Three courses that have hosted televised events are: TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia, home of the PGA Tour’s BellSouth Classic; Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, and The Grand Golf Club in Queensland, Australia.