Sandals Emerald Bay Sweepstakes To Deliver Golf Vacation That Shows Bahamas Is Still Going Strong – Forbes

The Greg Norman-designed course at Sandals Emerald Bay plays host to a Korn Ferry Tour stop in ... [+] January and has six holes on the ocean.

When Hurricane Dorian slowly churned its way across the Northern Bahamas with 185 mile-per-hour winds, it left a trail of devastation in its wake that will be felt for years, particularly on the islands of Grand Bahama and Great Abaco. Other islands escaped completely unscathed but are still feeling effects of the devastating hurricane most notably a significant drop in tourism driven by the mistaken belief that the Bahamas as a whole was devastated by the category 5 storm.

Among these is Great Exuma, one of the most southerly of the more than 700 islands, cays and islets that make up the Bahamas and are spread over almost 180,000 square miles of ocean.

Great Exuma is home to a number of terrific resorts, chief among them Sandals Emerald Bay, which hosts a professional golf event for the Korn Ferry Tour The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic in January. In addition to its oceanfront golf course designed by Greg Norman, the all-inclusive resort features elegant villas and suites, 11 restaurants and an award-winning spa spread across a 500-acre enclave that includes a pristine, mile-long beach.

A scenic view of the fifteenth hole during the final round of The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at ... [+] Sandals Emerald Bay golf course on January 16, 2019 in Great Exuma, Bahamas. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

The resort is actively supporting hurricane relief efforts through the Sandals Foundation, joining a wide range of efforts to help their neighbors in the Northern Bahamas. At the same time, Sandals Emerald Bay is determined to make sure those outside the region are aware it is open for business a necessity for the livelihood of many locals in Great Exuma. More than 60 percent of the Bahamas gross domestic product is dependent on tourism, the most of any Caribbean nation.

Sandals Resorts and Troon, the worlds largest golf management company, have teamed up to offer the Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Sweepstakes, which will reward one winner and a guest with a four-day, three-night golf experience vacation at the adults-only resort during The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic from January 9-15, 2020. In addition to luxurious accommodations and free dining including unlimited wine and liquor the winner will receive an entry to the official Pro-Am competition, get a private player meet-and-greet, and take part in an instructional golf clinic with a pro.

Kayakers kept tabs on play during the final round of The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals ... [+] Emerald Bay golf course on January 16, 2019 in Great Exuma, Bahamas. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Those interested in entering the sweepstakes just need to join the Troon Rewards loyalty program, which is free.

I took keen interest in this contest because I was lucky enough to visit Sandals Emerald Bay during the Korn Ferry Tour event (then the Web.com Tour) earlier this year and experience many of the special opportunities that await the winner.

After flying into Great Exuma with a host of players who have PGA Tour aspirations, I stayed in an oceanfront villa just steps from the beach and crystal-clear turquoise waters; if you left the sliding door open at night, you could be lulled to sleep by warm tropical breezes and the gentle crashing of waves. I played (not especially well) in the Pro-Am competition, which also included a Caribbean Junkanoo themed draw party night with live music and entertainment, and endless food and drink. The tournament itself was an absolute blast, but the lead-up was equally fun.

During this year's Pro-Am at Sandals Emerald Bay, the writer hits a drive under the watchful eye of ... [+] tournament host and course architect Greg Norman.

I visited the world-class Red Lane Spa to ease my sore muscles after being tested by the winds that buffeted a scenic course with six oceanfront holes. I hit several swim-up bars and tried to sample every culinary offering I could, from an authentic English Pub and a flavorful Indian restaurant to the Caribbean-themed Jerk Shack and a sensational seaside spot called Barefoot By The Sea, where I ate grilled lobster (the chefs signature dish) and conch fritters with my feet in the sand.

I dozed off in a hammock near the water, searched for conch shells, sat poolside with a fruity drink in my hand, hopped on a swing in the surf, and dove into the idyllic waters of the Exumas. I also ventured off property, swimming with pigs and stingrays, and sharing snacks with endangered Bahamian Rock Iguanas during a thrilling cruise through nearby cays.

Feeding Bahamian Rock Iguanas after swimming with the pigs off Great Exuma.

Just as rewarding was my trip to a local elementary school arranged by the Sandals Foundation, an experience that allowed me to not only read to eager students but play with them too, throwing a football, shooting baskets and tossing around Frisbees. It was a special adventure that gave me the chance to connect with the locals way of life. Many of the kids I spent time with have mothers or fathers who work at Sandals Emerald Bay.

And despite the damage sustained in the Northern Bahamas, Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma is most definitely open and welcoming much-needed guests. Come January, thanks to the Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Sweepstakes, a couple of lucky visitors will get a truly special trip. Troon and Sandals are billing it as a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience vacation. After my first-hand immersion at Emerald Bay earlier this year, I can safely say thats no exaggeration whatsoever.