Pristine Bay Resort's Black Pearl Course Opens for Public Play


The Perry and Pete Dye-designed golf course, Black Pearl, at Pristine Bay Resort on Roatan - a tropical island 40 miles off the coast of Honduras - has opened for public play. The course opened December 1 for Carnival and Royal Caribbean passengers, and is now accepting tee times for all golfers.

Looking Across the 15th Fairway to the
11th Hole at the Black Pearl

The par-72, 7,179-yard layout starts at the doorstep of the Caribbean Sea and then rises into the island's foothills before taking golfers on a wild ride back to the clubhouse. The Black Pearl features one of the Dyes' signature island greens, while 14 holes offer clear vistas of the Caribbean and Meso-American Barrier Reef.

"The anticipation is over and the Black Pearl is ready to take its place among the Caribbean's must-play golf courses," said Mario Toriello, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Pristine Bay Resort. "The Dyes skillfully routed it through tumbling terrain, showcasing both the shot values that have made their designs famous and the island's stunning natural aesthetics."

The 157-yard, island-green, par-3 11th may become Black Pearl's most recognizable hole. From its elevated tee, players can glimpse wonderful sea vistas before hitting shots to a green in the middle of a lake. The putting surface is also ringed by a narrow bunker to give slightly awry shots a chance of remaining dry. With No. 11's ever-present Tradewinds, proper club selection is the key here.

Black Pearl's 19th Hole

Roatan has become an increasingly popular destination on Caribbean cruise itineraries. In addition to the new golf course, Pristine Bay Resort offers the Sky Lounge and 19th Hole restaurants. The Resort and Spa at Pristine Bay - the 120-room, five-star hotel - will have a "soft opening" this spring.

"The Black Pearl is a true jewel of the Caribbean," adds Toriello. "Pristine Bay and Roatan are ready to welcome visitors seeking our tropical weather and first-class service."

For additional information, visit www.pristinebayresort.com, email info@pristinebayresort.com, or call 323/203-0623 or 786/315-8657.

The View Beyond the 17th Green at Black Pearl

About Pristine Bay Resort

Pristine Bay Resort occupies a 400-plus-acre site next to the Caribbean. The azure waters off the coast are enhanced by the world's second-largest barrier reef to provide one of the unique settings for golf in Central America.

Dye Designs, pioneers of the use of Paspalum turf for Tropics-based projects, grassed Black Pearl with this salt-water tolerant strand known for its environmental compatibility, ease of irrigation and maintenance, and translucent green hue. Its appearance - juxtaposed against the turquoise waters offshore - inspired Black Pearl's tagline: "The Best Greens and the Best Blues."

Pristine Bay Resort features a variety of residential offerings, including bay-view and golf course condominiums; two-, three- and four-bedroom villa units; and one-quarter-acre custom home lots, many with unobstructed views of the ocean. Villas start at $600,000 and range up to $1 million; lots start at $230,000 and go up to $700,000; and condominiums from $348,000 to $700,000. A 155-slip full-service marina near Black Pearl's clubhouse provides deep-water access for a variety of seagoing vessels.

Residents and guests have access to Bay Village at Pristine Bay and its boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, cafes and entertainment options. The 120-room, five-star Resort and Spa at Pristine Bay, to be managed by Lancaster Hotel Group, is slated to open in 2011.

Roatan International Airport (RTB) is served by nine weekly, nonstop flights from the United States (Houston, Atlanta, Miami and Newark) on Continental, Delta and TACA. Flights to the island through the Honduran cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and San Salvador, El Salvador, are also available.