Trinidad / Special Interests / Golf

There are six golf courses on Trinidad – three 18-hole facilities and three of nine holes. They are all on or near the west coast, close to capital Port of Spain and second city San Fernando.

Millennium Lakes Golf & Country Club, Trincity - 18-hole, par 71 course by Bob Hunt and Marcus Blackburn of PGA Golf Design, measuring 6514 yards off the championship tees. The course winds along the Arouca river and incorporates a number of lakes and ponds which are home to wildlife including cayman, a type of alligator, and exotic wetland birds. Besides the abundance of water, golfers have to take account of deep bunkering and constant strong winds. Facilities include a clubhouse with restaurant and patio, sports lounge and locker rooms. The driving range is covered and lit and has a short-game practice area alongside. Green fees do not include buggies, which can be rented. Trolleys and clubs can also be rented. Lessons are available on Sundays.

St Andrew’s Golf Club, Maraval - Located in the hills north of Port of Spain, St Andrews is an 18-hole, par 72 course of 6555 yards. The club is one of the oldest outside Britain, dating back to 1892. The present course was designed by Ron Fream and Terry Storm and opened in 1975 after several moves from its original location. While not long, the scenic layout is challenging, thanks to tight fairways, contoured tees and mature trees. Accuracy is the key on the daunting back nine, after a front nine that favours long hitters. Visitors are welcome. The clubhouse has a pro shop and restaurant. Lessons are available.

Petrotrin Pointe-à-Pierre Golf Club, Pointe-à-Pierre - 18 holes, par 71, 5981 yards. The club’s original nine holes were laid out in 1938 by expatriates working at the adjacent oil refinery, but the land was then needed by the refinery. After World War II it was re-established and a second nine holes added in 1960, before several holes were reconfigured in 1975 to give the present layout. The course is short and is walking-only but with a hilly back nine and hazards including water and mango trees on some holes.

Chaguaramas Golf Club, Tucker Valley - A nine-hole course with 18 tee boxes playing as a par 67, 5646-yard layout over 18 holes in the scenic Tucker Valley. The course was built by American servicemen stationed on the Chaguaramas peninsula during World War II. Greens are small and well protected while fairways are generous. Lack of deep rough makes it ideal for high handicappers. There is a driving range and a clubhouse with a bar. Rental clubs and lessons are available.

Brechin Castle Golf Club, Couva - Designed by WS Fulton and Ram Goberdhan in 1927, this nine-hole course in the middle of sugar cane fields was extended to 18 holes in 1929 but reverted to nine in 1938 when the land was reclaimed for crops and houses. The layout features gently-undulating fairways and there is a clubhouse.

Usine Ste Madeleine Golf Club, San Fernanado - A nine-hole course with two sets of tee boxes on each hole to give 18 holes playing to 5120 yards, it was established around 1900 by the Ste Madeleine Sugar Company for workers of the company. The course has a par of 34 for nine holes and is open to non-members. Ponds guard the 1st/10th and 9th/18th holes.