Tee Time for the Public at Black Pearl Golf Course at Pristine Bay

On a tropical island about 40 miles off the coast of Honduras, you’ll find the Pristine Bay Resort on Roatan – an increasingly popular destination for vacationers who want a little Caribbean sun. The resort itself is breathtaking, but what attracts more men than sandy beaches and tropical surroundings? A top level golf course. The Black Pearl Golf Course at Roatan is the latest from famed golf course designers Perry and Pete Dye. The Dyes were the first designers to use Paspalum turf for projects that are based in tropical climates. Paspalum can consume grey water (wastewater from domestic activities) better and has an easier time dealing with salt water. The par-72 Black Pearl Golf Course shares its name with something that's not too pleasing to the eyes, but the 7,200 yard course features scenery from the Caribbean along with the Meso-American Barrier Reef that Captain Jack Sparrow wouldn't mind drinking his rum at. From the first tee, golfers have a picturesque view of the Caribbean Sea then continuing into the foothills of the island before going back to the clubhouse. “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,” said Mario Toriello, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Pristine Bay Resort. Of all the holes that signify the Black Pearl Golf Course, the par-3 11-th hole could become the course’s signature. One thing the Dyes do very well is island greens. The 157-yard island green starts from an elevated tee with an amazing panoramic view of the sea where golfers hit shots to a green in the middle of a lake. The putting surface is surrounded by a narrow bunker – so missed shots have at least a chance to stay dry. The Pristine Bay Resort, a 400-plus acre site, offers the Sky Lounge and the 19-th Hole restaurants for relaxation after you spend your day flexing your muscles. For the extended vacation, the Pristine Bay has villas starting at $600,000, lots at $230,000 and condos from $348,000.