IBEROSTAR, Jamaica Pro-Am review
12/5/2012 | by Benjamin Larsen of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Sponsor News
AGC examines the 7th annual Pro-Am and the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall
"Once you go, you know."
That's the marketing slogan the country of Jamaica presents to tourists seeking a great place for a vacation.
After my own recent trip to the country, and a stay at the first-class IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall near Montego Bay during the 7th annual Jamaica Pro-Am Invitational, I'm convinced that the same slogan can be taken on by the resort, and event.
Owned by the Spain-based IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall was the host of the 250 amateurs and professionals taking aim at the title of the Jamaica Pro-Am, otherwise known as 'Annie's Revenge'.
The name, of course, refers to the legend of Annie Palmer, known as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall'. And while the chilling tales of Palmer are sure to frighten most, the story behind 'Annie's Revenge' is quite happy --- and filled with ultimate relaxation, endless sunshine and fantastic golf.
The event was held over three days at The White Witch Golf Course and Cinnamon Hill Golf Club - -- two spectacular layouts showing off the best the island has to offer.
At 6,859 yards, the par-71 White Witch is full of elevation changes and absolutely stunning views. The mountainous terrain, constantly changing winds and jungle-like layout made for a pair of difficult rounds. Those rounds were saved, of course, by the helpful local knowledge brought by our caddies, who read the greens like the back of their hands and gave first-time visitors like myself plenty of room for error on the many challenging holes that make up the White Witch.
Our group played its second round at Cinnamon
Hill. While The White Witch
took you through the
hills of Rose Hall, Cinnamon Hill brought you
back towards the Caribbean Sea
with two holes
bordering the crashing waves. Much different
than White Witch, Cinnamon Hill
offered a unique
experience that rewarded players with the
ability to excel at target golf ---
myself not included!
The winner of the weekend, however, was the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall. One of three connected IBEROSTAR resorts in Rose Hall, the Grand Hotel was as picturesque a host as any imaginable. The elegant, spacious and spotless rooms were the perfect place to relax after each challenging round of golf.
IBEROSTAR's all-inclusive offering made the most of my stay as it was easy to take advantage of the Grand Hotel's buffet restaurants, and lunch or dinner at its four a la carte restaurants specializing in Italian, Gourment, Japanese and Steak/Seafood meals.
Of course, the beachside relaxation area, which includes three separate pools and a plethora of lounging areas, along with outdoor --- and even 'swim-up'! --- bars, wasn't a bad place to spend some time, either!
The event was put on by The Golf Connection, which hosts and offers marketing services for a number of golf-related events and destinations. In conjunction with IBEROSTAR, The Golf Connection put on a stellar event, complete with a post-golf awards gala and dinner that could've doubled for a red carpet event.
That's the marketing slogan the country of Jamaica presents to tourists seeking a great place for a vacation.
After my own recent trip to the country, and a stay at the first-class IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall near Montego Bay during the 7th annual Jamaica Pro-Am Invitational, I'm convinced that the same slogan can be taken on by the resort, and event.
Owned by the Spain-based IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall was the host of the 250 amateurs and professionals taking aim at the title of the Jamaica Pro-Am, otherwise known as 'Annie's Revenge'.
The name, of course, refers to the legend of Annie Palmer, known as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall'. And while the chilling tales of Palmer are sure to frighten most, the story behind 'Annie's Revenge' is quite happy --- and filled with ultimate relaxation, endless sunshine and fantastic golf.
 |
The event was held over three days at The White Witch Golf Course and Cinnamon Hill Golf Club - -- two spectacular layouts showing off the best the island has to offer.
At 6,859 yards, the par-71 White Witch is full of elevation changes and absolutely stunning views. The mountainous terrain, constantly changing winds and jungle-like layout made for a pair of difficult rounds. Those rounds were saved, of course, by the helpful local knowledge brought by our caddies, who read the greens like the back of their hands and gave first-time visitors like myself plenty of room for error on the many challenging holes that make up the White Witch.
 |
The winner of the weekend, however, was the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall. One of three connected IBEROSTAR resorts in Rose Hall, the Grand Hotel was as picturesque a host as any imaginable. The elegant, spacious and spotless rooms were the perfect place to relax after each challenging round of golf.
|
IBEROSTAR's all-inclusive offering made the most of my stay as it was easy to take advantage of the Grand Hotel's buffet restaurants, and lunch or dinner at its four a la carte restaurants specializing in Italian, Gourment, Japanese and Steak/Seafood meals.
Of course, the beachside relaxation area, which includes three separate pools and a plethora of lounging areas, along with outdoor --- and even 'swim-up'! --- bars, wasn't a bad place to spend some time, either!
The event was put on by The Golf Connection, which hosts and offers marketing services for a number of golf-related events and destinations. In conjunction with IBEROSTAR, The Golf Connection put on a stellar event, complete with a post-golf awards gala and dinner that could've doubled for a red carpet event.
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