(St. James, Barbados – October 26, 2023) – Apes Hill Barbados was a star performer at the World Golf Awards in Abu Dhabi, with the Caribbean resort and residential community winning in four categories, including ‘World’s Best Golf Real Estate Venue’ and ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’.
The venue’s critically acclaimed new golf course was also named the best in both Barbados and the Caribbean, completing an impressive quartet of wins.
The 10th annual World Golf Awards ceremony was hosted at the Radisson Blu Hotel Yas Island and Yas Links Abu Dhabi. With the event rewarding excellence in the golf tourism market, Apes Hill Barbados’ success is yet more recognition for one of the world’s most exclusive and luxurious golf destinations.
The ceremony brought together industry leaders from more than 65 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
A long-standing staple of the Caribbean golf scene, Apes Hill Barbados has undergone a massive transformation since investment from Canadian entrepreneur Glenn Chamandy in 2019. Legendary architect Ron Kirby was entrusted with overhauling Apes Hill’s original golf course and the new-look, par-72 layout reopened to rave reviews at the end of 2022. The award-winning design was Kirby’s final work before he passed away in August.
Upon opening, the layout was commended for its fun factor and playability for all levels of golfer and singled out as one of the sport’s most aesthetically pleasing new courses. Kirby’s design makes full use of native Barbadian flora and rockery and is enhanced by views that – from 1,000 feet above sea level – stretch across the Caribbean Sea and out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Meanwhile, earning the title of ‘World’s Best Golf Real Estate Venue’ is testament to the success of the resort’s ambitious real-estate development. Apes Hill is home to an eclectic range of properties and lifestyle amenities to suit the needs of any resident, each favoring a contemporary and luxurious design that blends effortlessly into the Caribbean landscape.
Complementing the championship course is the Performance Centre – a state-of-the-art facility packed with the latest technology and equipment to develop every aspect of a golfer’s game – further establishing Apes Hill as the Caribbean’s leading destination for passionate players.
A short par-three course – named Little Apes – is in development for families and more casual play, while a ‘19th hole’ island-style par-3, based on the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, is nearing completion.
The World Golf Awards also recognized the pioneering sustainability efforts carried out across Apes Hill’s 475-acre resort with the ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ honor. Most notably, Apes Hill’s championship golf course is irrigated exclusively with recycled rainwater from a 58-million-gallon reservoir, drastically reducing resort-wide water usage.
Turf and vegetation are carefully selected and maintained to reduce the need for fertilizers and other harmful chemicals, leading to the resort receiving prestigious Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf certification earlier this year.
Away from the fairways, Apes Hill is committed to farming livestock and growing fresh ingredients – including crops, herbs and fruit – on-site, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem.
“We are deeply pleased to see our sustainability work recognized, while our relatively new real estate offering being named the ‘best in golf’ so early into the project confirms the unique, special community we’re building,” said Sunil Chatrani, Executive Chairman, Apes Hill Barbados. “Together with Ron Kirby, we set out to create one of the best experiences in golf. Recognition as the best course in not only Barbados, but the whole Caribbean, means a great deal to us as we strive to establish one of the region’s leading destinations.”
Added Chatrani: “Ron’s passing in August was felt by all who he touched the hearts of at Apes Hill Barbados – and the wonderful golf course he created has left a lasting legacy on the island. We would like to dedicate these awards to Ron’s life.”
To learn more about Apes Hill Barbados, please visit apeshill.com
