Apes Hill Barbados is on schedule to open in late 2023, according to its architect, Ron Kirby. The course already has had some play from members and guests, who have praised it for playability, hole variety, and several new signature holes.
The par-72 layout features views over the Caribbean Sea to the west and Atlantic Ocean to the east. Set within 475 acres of natural terrain and perched on one of the highest points of Barbados (1,000 feet above sea level), Apes Hill is the most elevated golf experience on the island.
Kirby, who has collaborated with design greats such as Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus in a distinguished career, is perhaps best known for his superlative work at Old Head Golf Links in Ireland.
“When I saw Apes Hill for the first time, I noted that the hills and vistas were superb – you can see both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean in many places,” said Kirby. “I knew that if I could get the holes to play with the vistas in the right position, players would more deeply enjoy the course while taking in the astounding views.”
Kirby’s work – aided by shaper Justin Carlton and Gary Shapiro, – began in 2019. He has created what could be the next great Caribbean golfing masterpiece. The layout of Apes Hill has been crafted around the surrounding landscape and indigenous tropical forests, with sustainability at the forefront of the resort’s long-term DNA to make it the most environmentally responsible golf course and resort development in the Caribbean.
Underscoring its commitment to sustainability and conservation best practices, the Apes Hill Barbados golf course has become a member of Audubon International, the global leader in environmental sustainability certifications.
Fairways and tees have been re-laid using the more drought tolerant Zoysia Zorro grass and the greens with TifEagle. The resistance of these grasses to insects also further reduces the reliance on fertilization and use of pesticides, with a view to eventually becoming ‘chemical-free’.
Meanwhile, the construction of a reservoir that can hold up to 58 million gallons of rainwater will help fully irrigate the resort, with hundreds of trees, fruits and vegetables being planted around the property.
The new layout stretches to 7,002 yards, although four teeing options make it playable for all levels, with the shortest at 5,034. The holes weave seamlessly through the island’s natural surroundings, and robust Atlantic trade winds can influence the difficulty of play, bringing shorter tee boxes into consideration.
“We put four tee boxes in so that we could cover all types of players,” Kirby said. “From those who can strike it pure to the average players and then beginners. We have made this mix so that Apes Hill can be fun for everybody. Also, I only needed to use what land we had, and so did not want to abuse what nature had given us. Sustainability means you don’t build anything you cannot maintain.”
Apes Hill’s signature 16th hole, Named the “Cave’’ features a coral rock hugging the hole behind the green and water lining the right,
“I am grateful to be a part of Apes Hill Barbados and proud to say it is one of mine,’’ Kirby said. “I can say that about 140 or 150 golf courses, but this is a special one. It is hard to find a golf course anywhere that has everything that we have here at Apes Hill.”
To complement the the course, a state-of-the-art Performance Centre and floodlit driving range are due to open soon. A family friendly short course, with holes ranging from 95 to 150 yards, will open in 2023, while an additional 19th hole played to an island green, and a contemporary clubhouse are set to be completed during the first quarter of the year.
Guests will be able to enjoy a range of other amenities, such as a fitness centre and health club, hiking and nature trails, eight flood-lit paddle and two tennis courts, while a world-class spa is also in development.
Away from the golf, Apes Hill Barbados has a range of luxury real-estate options available with pricing to be announced in the new year. Additionally, golf vacation properties allowing guests to stay and play are in development, with pricing to be announced in early 2023.