Kiawah Development Partners (KDP), the South Carolina company behind the five star Doonbeg Golf Club in West Clare, Ireland, has embarked on their second major development outside of the US. The project will see the development of a luxury resort at Christophe Harbour on the Caribbean island of St Kitts.
Included in the 2,500 acres development is an 18-hole Tom Fazio designed golf course, a mega-yacht harbour and marina village, residential real estate, restaurants, shops, boutiques and luxury hotels. KDP is leading the project for the Christophe Harbour Development Company (CHDC).
KDP which developed the five star Doonbeg is also known for its success at Kiawah Island in South Carolina. KDP opened its 18-hole Greg Norman designed championship course at Doonbeg in 2002. All of the other facilities there including the Lodge, restaurants, bars, spa and accommodation opened in 2006.
Tom Fazio has designed the course at Christophe Harbour. The influential designer of more than 200 golf courses has a track record which includes the renowned River Course and Osprey Point in Kiawah Island.
Christophe Harbour will benefit the local economy by driving the future of tourism for St Kitts. The island’s prime minster Dr Denzil Douglas, who attended the official groundbreaking this month, commented, “Christophe Harbour will be among the finest in the world and part of a massive resort development that will make St. Kitts and Nevis one of the most desirable destinations in the Caribbean, and indeed the entire world.”
The course, set to be open for play in 2011, will be built atop a volcanic ridge and along a natural inland cove. Planned over 250 acres, the Par 72 course will be 7,250 yards from the back tees. In addition to the terrain, wind will be considered a major design element and will influence shot selection choices in the upper holes.
The mountainous environment, sweeping views of two oceans, and spectacular design will make the project unique – a “must play” international venue for golf aficionados.
Designer Tom Fazio comments, “The striking landscape here allows us to take full advantage of both the mountain ridges and lower cliffsides. Golfers will enjoy the incredible panoramic views across the ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and over the harbour and to Basseterre and Nevis. The drama of the landscape variation and the views will make this course different from any other in the Caribbean.”
Careful environmental preservation has been a fundamental to the course’s design. Steps have been taken to curb erosion and sustain the environment, to include water filtrations through Reverse Osmosis (RO) and planned wetlands treatments including groups of saltwater mangroves that treat runoff water.
Christophe Harbour Company, a venture led by Kiawah Development Partners (KDP), is the manager of the master development company for Christophe Harbour. KDP is the master planner for Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland and Kiawah Island in the US.
Christophe Harbour www.christopheharbour.com