Puerto Rico Welcomes You Back! by JD Latorre

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – Many of Puerto Rico’s 18 golf courses have reopened, as recently announced by Gov. Wanda Vázquez.

“It’s the right time . . . We have flattened the curve,” said Gov. Vázquez.

Caution, patience, and discipline have been staples of the Island’s proactive edicts designed to protect Puerto Rico residents and visitors. That will continue when many businesses gradually reopen across the Island. A 7 pm to 5 am curfew will remain in place until June 15, and all people will be required to wear a mask when outside or inside a business.

Puerto Rico, an American territory, will join the rest of the United States as pertains to the game; golf courses have reopened in all 50 states.

“This is encouraging news, and people wishing to visit the Island can soon embrace all that is waiting for them when the time is right to travel,” said Leah Chandler, CMO, Discover Puerto Rico, the Island’s Destination Marketing Organization.

Some Island courses are open to everyone, including Royal Isabela, Club Deportivo del Oeste, and more. Other Island courses are open to members only currently – TPC Dorado Beach, Palmas Athletic Club, and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar, for example – with the public expected to be welcomed back imminently. For instance, Rio Mar will allow public play beginning on June 2. For details pertaining to each golf venue, call them at the phone numbers listed at bottom.

Royal Isabela’s re-opening protocol is indicative of how Island golf courses are operating. The boutique resort perched atop 200-foot cliffs on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast, reopened its Links Golf Course for public play. It has installed an array of safeguards to enhance safe recreation, including staff using personal protective gear, sanitizing and cleaning golf carts and the Pro Shop common areas throughout the day, and more. Other Royal Isabela mandates include requiring that tee times be booked at least 48 hours in advance with all due information; no use of the driving range, practice greens, or club rentals; one player allowed per golf cart; no post round gathering or socializing; and more.

Puerto Rico’s 18 golf courses are located throughout the Island – from the northwestern tip to the East Coast – with several in northeastern Puerto Rico near capital San Juan. Accentuating tropical splendor and remarkable ocean views, Island golf resorts are renowned for their first-class service and inspirational settings.

Puerto Rico is an enchanting destination where history, culture, gastronomy, nightlife, beaches, hotels and resorts abound. It requires no passport for American citizens, is bilingual, uses the U.S. dollar for currency, and is the air hub of the Caribbean. There are more than 4,000 restaurants, and the lodging venues range from top hospitality brands to being named a top 10 Airbnb world destination.

For more information on Island golf courses, resorts, and other destination attractions along with Puerto Rico’s new health and safety guidelines visit: DiscoverPuertoRico.com.

TPC Dorado Beach (36 holes) – 787-626-1020 Caguas Real (18) – 787-653-1573 Costa Caribe (27) – 787-812-2650 Royal Isabela (18) – 787-609-5888 Fort Buchanan (9) – 787-707-3980 Deportivo del Oeste (18) – 787-851-8880 Wyndham Grand Rio Mar (36) – 787-888-6000 Palmas Athletic Club (36) – 787-656-3000 Rio Bayamon (18) – 787-740-1419 Punta Borinquen (18) – 787-890-2987 Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve/Coco Beach (36) – 787-657-2000 El Legado (18) – 787-866-8894 The St. Regis Bahia Beach (18) – 787-809-8000 El Conquistador (18) – 787-863-1000

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Mystical Golf – offering “Myrtle Beach’s finest 54 holes of golf” on its Witch, Man-O-War and Wizard courses – announces the stunning results of its comprehensive $750,000 renovation of its trio of celebrated layouts.

The renovation is part of Mystical Golf’s substantial annual investments in always providing the best possible playing conditions and experiences for their legion of gratified returning guests. Most notably, the 142 bunkers on all three layouts have been completely rebuilt and now showcase vibrant, eye-catching white sand creating an incredible contrast with the emerald green fairways and greens.

In addition to the striking transformation of the bunkers, Mystical Golf also enhanced and modernized the irrigation systems on The Witch and Man-O-War layouts for superior course maintenance throughout the entire golfing year. The extensive network of cart paths and bridges on the distinct properties were also upgraded. Playing through the incredible beauty of the Waccamaw Swamp, The Witch alone features over a mile of bridges.

Additionally revitalized were Mystical Golf’s three themed clubhouses – haunted house (The Witch), Scottish castle (The Wizard) and fishing camp (Man-O-War).

“Our customers know they are going to play on three of the finest courses in not only Myrtle Beach, but the Southeast U.S. as well,” says Claude Pardue, President and CEO. “While our maintenance and renovation investments are significant, our quest to hear golfers raving about how spectacular our courses are after their rounds is music to our ears.”

In preparation for its spring season, Mystical Golf also makes a sizable annual investment in overseeding its three layouts with Ryegrass in the fall emulating the agronomic practices of top echelon courses like Augusta National. Mystical Golf’s courses are consistently recognized by major golf media to be among Myrtle Beach’s “five best courses” and “best values.”

Its three layouts are highlighted by wonderfully fun elements including the only back-to-back island greens in the game (Man-O-War), a front nine of dramatic holes weaving through secluded swampland teeming with wildlife (The Witch), and a splendid layout reminiscent of Scotland and Ireland’s classic courses complete with authentic sod-faced bunkering and castle-style clubhouse (The Wizard).

Man-O-War’s 15th hole ranks among GOLF Magazine’s “Five Most Memorable Island Greens” alongside No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass, the “Alcatraz” hole at PGA West’s Stadium Course and Coeur d’Alene Resort’s movable, floating putting surface. The Witch is praised by PGA.com for presenting one of America’s “great 9th holes” and The Wizard has earned 4-1/2 stars from Golf Digest.

For Mystical Golf information: www. mysticalgolf.com, 843.282.2977.