Much-hyped Greg Norman Design in Grand Cayman a ?Disappointment? Says Golf Odyssey
SHORT HILLS, N.J. (March 12, 2008) – Despite the fanfare surrounding the opening of Blue Tip, the new Grand Cayman golf course designed by world-famous professional golfer and course designer Greg Norman, Golf Odyssey: The Insider’s Guide to Sophisticated Golf Travel found the layout to be “uninspiring” and “overpriced.”
Lured by the new course and the recently opened Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Resort, Golf Odyssey made one of its trademark anonymous site visits to Grand Cayman in February 2008 and has published its comprehensive and detailed review of the golf course and the entire resort in its just-released March 2008 issue.
Golf Odyssey called the golf course “uninspiring” because it was built upon relatively flat terrain and the routing weaves through a series of man-made canals as opposed to dramatically skirting the ocean, which is what most travelers have come to expect on their Caribbean golf vacations. Having paid a green fee of $218.75 to play 18 holes, plus caddie fee and gratuity, Golf Odyssey found the course to be entirely “overpriced” as well.
Beyond the golf course, Golf Odyssey was extremely impressed with the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Resort. Located along the deservingly famous Seven Mile Beach, Golf Odyssey found the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman to have luxurious rooms, impressive common areas, and, in particular, distinctive dining options, the best of which was Blue by Chef Eric Ripert of New York’s Le Bernardin.
“Our readers rely on us for our unbiased scouting reports and, as far as the golf course goes, this is another one of those situations in which reality doesn’t live up to the hype,” said David Baum, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Golf Odyssey newsletter, now in its 17th year. “While we might recommend the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman for a long weekend, there are much better destinations for week-long Caribbean golf vacations.”
In addition to its review of the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, Golf Odyssey’s March 2008 issue takes readers inside the ropes at England’s Royal Birkdale Golf Club for a first look at the extensive changes to this year’s Open Championship venue. The March issue also includes the last installment of Golf Odyssey’s three-part series called, The Best of Myrtle Beach. Plus, the ever-popular column, What the Golf World is Talking About, includes advice for amateur golfers seeking more competitive play, and how anyone can gain access to the new private Orlando golf course designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, one of the hottest design teams in golf.
For a copy of Golf Odyssey’s March 2008 issue, or to arrange an interview with golf vacation expert David Baum, email: denise@golfodyssey.com; call 800-550-2286; or visit: www.golfodyssey.com.
About Golf Odyssey
Golf Odyssey, LLC publishes a monthly, subscription-only, printed newsletter and companion website. Now in its 17th year, Golf Odyssey: The Insider’s Guide to Sophisticated Golf Travel, is dedicated to the publication of honest and unbiased evaluations of great golf destinations in the United States and abroad. Golf Odyssey travels anonymously, pays its own expenses, and does not accept advertising from golf courses, resorts or restaurants in order to serve its subscribers with objective information and discriminating advice. Subscribers to Golf Odyssey include PGA Professionals, Fortune 500 CEOs, members of 95 of the top-100 golf clubs in America, professional athletes and celebrities, and world-famous golf course architects. To subscribe to Golf Odyssey and/or give it as a gift, please visit www.golfodyssey.com.
About David Baum
A former partner at Goldman Sachs in New York City, David Baum is the publisher & editor-in-chief of Golf Odyssey and Golf Vacation Insider. He is a leading expert on golf travel and has played more than 50 courses in five countries in the last twelve months alone. In addition to authoring two golf travel books, Planning the Ultimate Golf Vacation and Planning the Ultimate Bandon Dunes Golf Vacation, he serves as the golf travel columnist for Dealmaker Magazine and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The International Herald Tribune, USATODAY.com, Golf For Women, US Airways Magazine, Bloomberg News, Cigar Aficionado and other national publications.
Contact:
Denise Brite
Media Relations Coordinator
Golf Odyssey & Golf Vacation Insider
denise@golfodyssey.com
973-564-6223
