Originally named Southampton Golf Club because of its location in Bermuda’s Southampton Parish, Port Royal was founded in 1965 under the chairmanship of Reginald Tucker and Director of Public Works G.H. Taylor. The plan however, was potentially jeopardized because a private landowner named Mr. Munroe refused to sell his oceanfront property, which was slated to be part of the course’s original design. Undaunted, construction finally got underway on December 1, 1967 and the course was eventually renamed Port Royal Golf Course—a grand public golf course designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Sr.
The course was originally designed to be 7,200 yards—an astounding length for the 1960’s—and was anticipated to feature holes around the historic Whale Bay Battery, which was built in 19th century. However, due to the land dispute by Mr. Monroe, the course was redesigned to 6,500 yards—a fortuitous turn of events considering the design change led to the creation of Port Royal’s signature hole, the spectacular 16th, a cliff-hugging par three with nothing but the Atlantic Ocean between the tee and the pin.
History of Port Royal Golf Course
Port Royal Golf Course overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
The Jones’ design incorporated the latest technologies in course construction and materials: Greens were laid with TifGreen 328 Bermuda grass and drought tolerant Zoysiagrass was used for the fairways. Interestingly, Jones also had some unique ideas. He wanted nine holes as well as 18 and also suggested chipping areas in the tees, so when play slowed, golfers could bide their time with a few practice strokes. The course was finally completed in 1970 at approximately £7 per square foot, costing a total £449,000 to build with architect fees amounting to £18,210. Over 300,000 cubic yards of earth was moved to create the course, which at its height accommodated over 50,000 rounds per year. Naturally all of this work needed continual care, so a Scottish greens keeper was employed on a salary of £1,925 per year.
Nearly forty years later Port Royal Golf Course has been treated to a $14.5 million renovation, a complete makeover spearheaded by original design team member Robert Rulewich in preparation for the 2009/2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Reopened on July 21, 2009 with the valued support of the Bermuda Government, Port Royal is now one of the world’s premier public golf courses boasting TifEagle greens, a state-of-the art irrigation system and sweeping water views from nearly every hole. Find out more about the renovated Port Royal Golf Course