Tamarina Golf Club
A swift 20 minute drive from Sugar Beach Resort and a 30 minute warm up on the very good practice facilities sees me standing on the first tee looking down the fairway, I have pushed my tee shot right but lucky for me the fairway is very generous and to my surprise I find myself with a perfect lie and line into the green and two putts sees me making par on the opening hole.
The first impressions are that the course is presented well but I love the way the ball sits on the fairway grass, it’s hard to describe but it’s quite bouncy and the ball just sits up perfectly like it’s begging to be hit.
As we reach the second tee the sky is dominated by what I can only describe as sugar loaf shaped mountains similar to what you see in Brazil, this one is called Mt Rempart. All the fairways have a marker post to aim at and I find myself thinking all courses should have these in the middle of the fairways, they make great targets to aim at.
   
Top Aerial view of the water on the 8th hole. Above 4th fairway, Clubhouse and 1st green
The first par 5 arrives at the 3rd hole and there are two posts to aim at here, one for your drive and the other for your second shot, which you need to thread through bunkers on both sides of the fairway.
The 5th is a wonderfully designed hole with a risk and reward option. You play over the river to a fairway that then splits, if you fancy going for the green in two aim for the top tier, if you want to take your chance with a chip and putt birdie then take the lower fairway.
The first of the four par 3s comes at the 6th and is played over a small valley with shrubs and plants to an elevated tee, but it’s the 13th that will take all the accolades. Played from an ele-vated tee with the Riviere Rampart running to the left hand side of the green – a big hook could well see your ball taking a dip – with bunkers left and back it’s a photogrpher’s dream and one that you will want to pose for photos, so make sure you take your smartphone to the tee with you.
The 18th is a perfect finishing hole played from an elevated tee and if you want the risk and reward option aim at the right-hand bunkers, you will gain a few extra yards from the hill. The green sits below the decking of the clubhouse with the Riviere Rempart behind the green so don’t go long.
Sitting in the bar looking back down on the green, I have to say it’s been a wonderful day of golf. The course was in perfect condition and makes the most of its setting and offers some stunning views. Tamarina is a good test of golf, with generous fairways, the rough isn’t punish-ing and throw in some wonderful vistas and it all makes this a perfect course for holiday mak-ers and dedicated golfers alike who want to have a bit of fun and enjoy this great game of ours.
Aerial views of the 4th and 7th holes
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