Tierra Del Sol Resort & Country Club
Went to Aruba in 2016 with my bride and daughter for a bonus day weekend. That means taking advantage of the Leap Day by taking a weekend trip somewhere. If you’re thinking of a golf trip to Aruba, don’t, unless you only want to play one round or one course. It’s a longer flight from the Northeast than the other islands and there is only one course here. The course is good, but not one to design a vaca around, and as you can see above the view of the famous lighthouse was killed by the scaffolding when I went.
The course advertises itself as a combination of Scotland, Scottsdale and the Caribbean in one golf course. Yeah the rough is desert-like rocky. You get ocean views on every hole and the winds can be tricky so I get that. But Scotland? Because a course is “tree-less” doesn’t make it a links course and this course didn’t remind me a bit of a Scotland-like links. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the course it just didn’t present as a true links course. That said, the winds are really something. RTJ2 designed it and as the winds are prevailing and predictable, he designed it so holes play into or with the wind, with rarely a cross wind to deal with. I’d be lying if I told you I remember which holes played into or against the winds and a quick look at my score and the card didn’t reveal it either except I parred the long par-five first which makes me think the wind was behind me. The villas do become a presence on the back nine but they are on the periphery and don’t really spoil it too much.
I played solo here and shot an 89 with a strong 42 on the front for me. I remember the wind and from every other review I see, this is a common theme. I remember the desert flora/cacti which was really intriguing being so close to the ocean. I also remember the flatness. This is where it departs from links golf. Links are built into dunes with mounds, rolls, bumps and hollows. None of that exists on Tierra Del Sol. Plunk this down in Albuquerque or whatnot and there wouldn’t be much of a memory but on the water with the desert features makes it interesting enough to get a mention as a top Caribbean course.
I have nothing pithy to discuss here so will get right into the island write-up. We got a condo Vrbo which was okay but if I had it to do again I would’ve gotten a condo or villa right here at the resort. They have a nice fitness area and quiet pool area that the girls stayed at while I golfed. This is a nice get-away-from-it-all place if you’re into that. We ate here – al fresco – at the clubhouse one night and it was nice. The next night we ate Faro Blanco which is right at the lighthouse and was one of the most beautiful sunsets you can get. The Italian cuisine wasn’t overly memorable but you’re not coming here for authentic Italian. Finally, do the ride through Arikok National Park – there are great little hidden beaches and caves and whatnot, You’re literally out in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden you get to this little outdoor bar called Boca Prins. Definitely stop there for a cocktail or two.
Like Turks and Caicos or Atlantis, if you’re coming out for a couples weekend then this is a great one-round escape. If you want to play multiple times at multiple courses then Jamaica or Bermuda are definitely closer and provide more options.
Golf Scrapbook 