TRAVEL • GOLF VACATIONS

Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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Caribbean’s finest JAMAICA O ne of the Caribbean’s most attractive resorts is in Montego Bay. Half Moon offers an ideal winter escape for a golf vacation, with its luxury hotel, Rose Hall, and premier golf course. With golf as a main attraction, there are also plenty of other activities including equestrian, water sports, tennis and squash, as well as a fitness center. A new addition to the property is Eclipse at Half Moon. The property features 57 luxurious and spacious accommodations, two restaurants, three bars, a market café, Fern Tree—a Salamander Spa, a sweeping infinity-edge swimming pool, and a private beachfront with a

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natural swimming cove. Rooms offering views of the Caribbean Sea are situated in two-story cottages, and come with large private patios or balconies. In addition to Eclipse, guests also can enjoy two additional resort choices: Founders Cove at Half Moon and Rose Hall Villas at Half Moon, which are located at opposite ends of the 400-acre property. The Half Moon Golf Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1962. The course was later modernized by Roger Rulewich, who removed non-native trees, expanded several greens and renovated bunkers, creating a masterpiece of sheer beauty and challenge. Routed through

a retired sugarcane estate, the course hugs the toe of the slopes of the hills overlooking Half Moon. Half Moon is a classic layout with multiple sets of tees, wellbunkered greens—contoured to accommodate surface drainage—and an overall length ranging from 5,035 to 7,120 yards. A beautiful walking course, it tests scratch and novice golfers alike with similar shots from appropriate distances. Primary defense of par are the 26 fairway bunkers that put

an emphasis on solidly struck tee shots to find the short grass. Constant trade winds blowing off the Caribbean Sea create into-the-wind challenges and downwind opportunities. Some advice: Listen to the caddies! They possess a wealth of course knowledge and are eager to lend an eye to read a birdie putt or share a colorful story from their years of experience. Half Moon was founded 65 years ago and is rated as Jamaica’s finest property, according to Forbes Travel Guide. 

DECEMBER 2020 – MAY 2021 PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE

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