Cedar Valley Golf Club - Antigua (268) 462-0161
Island Golf Course Review
Cedar Valley Golf Club, located in the hills of northern Antigua only three miles from the capital City of St. John, is one of the Caribbean’s hidden jewels. Family owned and
operated, the course opened in 1970 with nine holes - the last nine holes opened to the public in 1977.
The designer, Ralph Aldredge, had the insight to use the rolling terrain and the ocean vistas to bring out the best in his course layout. There are numerous elevated tee boxes
and an interesting mix of subtle doglegs, uphill approaches, multi-tiered or undulating greens, and long par threes
.
The clubhouse features a nice patio restaurant and bar with golfer’s fare and favorite libations. The golf shop provides logo’d apparel and golf items, and golf club and shoe
rentals are available A grass range is on property as well as a chipping and practice putting green. Lessons can be arranged for individuals or groups with a professional trainer
(advance notice required).
Cedar Valley Golf Club specializes in outings and tournaments and has limited membership available. The course encourages tourism, and visitors to the island appreciate the
reasonable rates. Because of the course’s affiliation with many of the hotels and cruise ship lines, players can enjoy booking their round through their accommodation host or
ship.
At par 70 the course provides three sets of tees - 6,157 yards a slope/rating of 124/71.2; 5,884 yards (122/69.2) and 5528 yards (120/71). Tee boxes have yardage information
posted, 100 and 150 yard markers are set along the side of the fairways and some markers can be found in the middle. Color coded flags indicate front/middle/back hole
locations.
There are only 17 bunkers on this course and 6 holes where water may come into play. The real hazards on this layout are the wind and the vistas - your eyes are either being
drawn to the mountains or the ocean and the wind blows up and down the mountainous terrain forcing players to consider club selection carefully. Beautiful, mature trees and
tropical shrubs and palms line the fairways and provide scenic backdrops to holes where the distant ocean tops off the idyllic landscape.
All that being said, and in spite of having a wonderful and challenging round of golf on what we feel is a great layout, Cedar Valley could use an infusion of cash in order to
upgrade the fairways and rough. Most of the grass on the course is of a local variety while the nicely maintained greens are Tiff/Bermuda. The fairways were in very good
condition when we were there and we did not mind them one bit, but players who are used to courses with lush fairways may be put off. Until “The Donald” finds this place, our
advice to players is to concentrate on the inspiring layout of this gem and you will have a more than enjoyable island golf experience.
Two Guys Who Golf would love to play here again and do not hesitate to recommend it - the course has amazing possibilities - and your golf game will have even more!
For more information on this course and a link to its website, click here.
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