The Story Behind the ‘Wow Holes’ on Apes Hill Barbados’ Championship Course
We are proud to boast the most elevated course in Barbados bordered by indigenous bearded fig trees and thriving tropical flora and fauna overlooking one of the most geologically unique highpoints in the Caribbean. Not only does the 18-hole Championship course at Apes Hill Barbados boast breath-taking views, but each hole has its own special story.
As any golfing enthusiast will know, Ron Kirby had extensive experience in golf course design and construction. Ron was the pride of Beverly, Massachusetts, having authored hundreds of designs globally, solo and in tandem with many of the game’s most celebrated golf course architects in his five-decade-long career.
His last completed work before his passing at the age of 90, redesigning the course at Apes Hill Barbados, has been hailed as a ‘masterpiece’. Building on Ron’s legacy, our golf experience is expertly overseen by our Director of Golf and Golf Operations Jody Addison, who has been a PGA Professional for 18 years, working at some of the most prestigious clubs in the world across five countries, as well as our Golf Operations and Sports Manager Anderson Payne who is a household name in golf and cricket in Barbados.
Meandering across our 475-acre property is our 18-hole championship course, which utilizes the undulating topography of the land to add a level of complexity and dramatic flair. We’re delighted to take you on a journey to explore a few of the holes Ron considered the “wow” holes and the favourite “show-stopper” holes of Jody and Andy.
Your Apes Hill golf experience begins on the western side of the property near to the Clubhouse and will take you to one of the first show-stopper holes. Hole 2 is one of the favourites of our Golf Operations and Sports Manager Anderson Payne, who describes it as “a risk reward par 4, with a water feature just at the front. If you can carry it and you can get it on the green, it just gives you a nice chance of scoring. It’s kind of a soft start so it keeps that good score on your score card”.
An exclusive and gentle opening has been designed to ease players into the course, with the second hole serving up an early birdie opportunity. A par four stretching to only 255 yards, it is still demanding of a well-placed drive should you wish to attack the green from the tee, with the putting surface heavily protected by bunkers, coral rock and a cascading creek.
As an elevated par 3, club selection really comes into play depending on the direction of the wind at the fifth hole. Playing this hole offer golfers the chance the immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural beauty of Apes Hill including views of the farm at the resort.
Payne describes it as “quite scenic, looking into the green surrounded by some beautiful limestone, and you see the breadfruit trees and the banana trees of our organic farm surrounding the green. That makes it very special.”
Halfway through the championship course, this hole provides a par 5, but it is also reachable as a par 2, since it gives you the chance to go for it and finish up with a birdie or eagle. It also provides spectacular views of Barbados’ platinum west coast, the Caribbean Sea and Apes Hill’s surrounding community.
One can often spot a few birds and ducks around the lake on the left, as well as bee boxes in the distance as a part of our biodiversity and sustainability efforts. This makes the ninth hole an ode to the connection between Apes Hill Barbados and the unique wildlife of the island.
Playing the front 9 gives you a great feeling in terms of a recording a good score going out into the back 9, which is a little more challenging especially in what golfers often refer to as the “Amen Corner” featuring holes 12, 13 and 14.
Be careful not to put your ball in the lake at Hole 9!
Panoramic views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean makes Hole 12 a favourite for many at Apes Hill. The view of waves in the distance combined the the cool breeze from the courses elevated position creates a golfing experience like no other.
This hole offers a long par 3 with 235 yards into the wind at the farthest tee. Our Director of Golf and Golf Operations describes it as “quite unique to be able to see both coasts from one tee box”.
This hole is argued to be one of the best par 4s on the island, with a fair amount of complexity. Addison says “It’s about as tough a par 4 as you will get on the island…you have to manoeuvre your way off the tee and then you have a ravine waiting for you for your second shot. So, a lot of respect to this hole here”.
The run from holes 12 to 15 was considered one of the most stunning parts of the layout by Ron Kirby, and the views that make these hole so popular can soften the blow of any struggle on this hole.
A challenge at Hole 13, which makes the most of the rugged terrain at Apes Hill.
Hole 14 carries the geology of the east coast through its soil, majestic views and rock formations, which are distinct from what is found along the west and other parts of the island. What’s most unique is the natural royal palm grove through which the fairway is carved, to show some of the DNA of Barbados.
“Amen Corner has my 3 favourite holes. You’ve got the respect of how difficult they play, the scenery is just incredible, and even if you’re playing badly, you feel good because you love the scenery you’re playing amongst”- Jody Addison.
Finally, hole 16 is one of Apes Hill’s signature holes, featuring one of the oldest caves in the island. Like all other holes on the course, hole 16 carries four tees spaced at various distances so that golfers can make the game as friendly or as challenging as they would like.
Named the ‘Cave’ with a coral rock hugging the hole behind the green and water lining the right, Kirby has left an indelible mark on Caribbean golf with a par three that possesses many characteristics for which Barbados is genetically famous for.
The late Kirby himself said “We dressed it up by taking out the extra things they didn’t need and concentrated on the cave and bringing the green back to the center of the cave”.
Enjoy spectacular cave formations when you play Hole 16
From hole to hole, the beauty of the golf experience at Apes Hill is that it goes way beyond the golf. In fact, with the beautiful vistas, the tropical landscapes and the nature’s architecture, it’s more about the fun and wonder of being outdoors in this tropical oasis, with the added benefit of a great game of golf.
