Guest Blog: Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational

Don't get me wrong. We CT+L editors would love to be in the islands all the time. But of course, duty calls back here in the office sometimes, so we can't always make it to cover certain Caribbean festivals and events ourselves – like this year's Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational. Luckily, freelance travel writer Craig Zabransky, frequent contributor to Cheapflights.com and featured guest on Fox & Friends and Sirius radio, was on the ground covering the event, and he provided this special guest blog just for CT+L. Take it away, Craig...

Mexico. Many remain cautious, and some tourists still seem hesitant to travel to its beautiful beaches, experience its colorful culture and enjoy its “mañana” mantra. But just this last weekend, Dec 3-6, over twenty world-recognizable athletes, actors, and Olympic champions traveled to Mexico’s Caribbean coast to join amateur golfers for four days in the sun.
Known best for its resorts, clear blue water and nightlife, the Riviera Maya is also home to some of the best golf courses in Mexico, and it was the perfect setting for the first annual Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational, an event that essentially (and unofficially) reopened tourism to one of Mexico’s most important travel destinations.

The event selected Los Playa Mujeres Golf Course to host both the Friday skins game and the main Pro-Am on Saturday.  The challenging links course, designed by Greg Norman, proved difficult at times, but the hospitality and camaraderie established in the foursomes created a festive atmosphere.

I camped out on the par three 11th hole. There I watched as each foursome (comprised of one celebrity and three amateurs) designated one player to hit for the official 197-yard “hole in one.” The prize: A $450,000 condo in Cancun. A difficult shot. Most foursomes selected the celebrity guest to take the chance and actually Bob Beamon, the US Olympic Gold Medal Long jumper from the ’68 Mexico City games gave it the best ride. But, no condo. In fact, only one participant (an amateur) came close. He left it just six feet from the hole.

The Hacienda TresRios opened its doors to host the celebrities and all of the invitational’s related events. A pioneer on the Riviera Maya, the resort and spa has earned numerous environmental and sustainable awards including the Green Global Certification. Constructed on land that was once a national park altered by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the recently opened luxury Hacienda did not forget its roots. Today, guests can snorkel, kayak or even just learn about the resort's three rivers, ten Cenotes and diverse ecosystem.

Each night, the all-inclusive provided an idyllic setting for the event's many cocktail receptions, the Texas Hold’em tournament, and the final awards dinner. All elegant. All enjoyable.

Now, after the successful tournament (which had an impressive list of celebrities in attendance including actor Chris Tucker, NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Jansen, and the tournament champion Darryl Talley among others), I expect the event to grow.  Next year’s 2nd annual tournament might just be that special weekend to circle on your calendar and head to the Caribbean coast of Mexico. – Craig Zabransky

To read more from Craig, you can follow him on Twitter: @StayAdventurous – and don't forget to follow us too (@CaribTravelLife) for travel deals, contest announcements and more!

Anguilla Golf

Great news for golfers: Anguilla's first and only course – the $50 million Greg Norman-designed Temenos Golf Course – is set to reopen later this month following a face lift and a change in ownership. Previously showcased as one of our Featured Golf properties, the 7,063-yard championship track will be managed by the five-star Cap Juluca Resort starting on December 19 – and to celebrate the reopening, guests can take advantage of special limited-time promotions like the Unlimited Package and the Shark Package.

With the Unlimited Package, an extra $100 per night will buy as many rounds as you can possibly squeeze in for one guest per room, including cart fees and ground transfers from the resort. The Shark Package gets you one complimentary round per three-night stay (two rounds for a five-night stay) and it also includes daily breakfast. To book either package, surf over to capjuluca.com – then check out our Featured Golf article to learn more about the course.

Free Spa Treatments in Bermuda

Hey, spa lovers: The Reefs resort on Bermuda just announced the opening of its new La Serena Spa, a state of the art facility with eight treatment rooms, a sauna, and a complete line of Elemis of London skincare products - and to welcome visitors, the resort is offering spa freebies for a limited time. Just stay for a minimum of five nights through December 26 and you'll have your choice of three complimentary 60-minute treatments. And to celebrate the upcoming PGA Grand Slam of Golf being held in Bermuda in October, the resort is throwing in free rounds of golf with your stay, too. Rates start at $369 per night double occupancy - just mention the Golf and Spa package when you book.

Father's Day Getaway

This Father's Day, skip the new tie and give dad what he really wants...a little pampering and a lot of golf. Barbados' five-star Sandy Lane resort has created a special Golf and Spa package for the summer that includes one full-body massage per person at the on-site Spa at Sandy Lane, plus four complimentary rounds of golf per person during any seven-night stay. Can't get away for the full week? Just stay for five nights and you'll still enjoy the massage plus two rounds of golf.

Sandy Lane is home to 45 holes on three renowned courses, including the famed Green Monkey course, and it was even selected as one of our own Featured Golf properties recently. Rates for the vacation package start at $4,000 double occupancy for a five-night stay in Orchid Room accommodations - a price that includes the fifth night free - and the deal is valid all summer through October 31.

Can't get enough Caribbean golf? Don't forget to check out our new feature on Country Clubs Away from Home.

Perks for Parents

A ton of our travel specials cater to families - including special "kids free" and "kids club" promotions at resorts around the Caribbean - so it's always a great time to start planning that next family vacation. But I ask you...what about a little something for the moms and dads once in a while?

The St. Kitts Marriott Resort must have been thinking the same thing, because their new Indulge in Value package offers the perfect treat for parents: unlimited golf at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club AND unlimited spa treatments at the resort's Emerald Mist Spa. Whichever your pleasure, both are included in the room rate starting at $299 per night double occupancy. And when these guys say unlimited, they mean it...go ahead and squeeze in an early morning round on the 18-hole, par-71 course, then hit the spa for a massage, facial, body treatment, or hey - get all three. Feel like hitting the tees again after that? Go crazy.

But, like any really great promotion, there's something in it for the little ones, too. In addition to the resort's beachfront locale and eight family-friendly, on-site restaurants, The St. Kitts Marriott also boasts the Pirates of St. Kitts Kids Club, offering supervised sun and fun time for kids aged 5 to 12.

The deal is good through December 18, so just log on to the resort's web site and use promotion code SUM when you book.

Time for Tee at Playacar Spa and Golf Resort

Itching to tee off? Mexico’s Royal Hideaway just announced a new Save on the Green promotion, giving golf-lovers the chance to enjoy free rounds at nearby Playacar Spa and Golf Club.

Stay at the luxury getaway for a minimum of five nights between now and April 30th and you’ll get two complimentary rounds at the Robert Von Hagge-designed par-72 course, valued at $190 each. Or settle in for a seven-night stay and double your pleasure with four complimentary rounds. Better still, if you book by March 31st, they’ll throw in an extra night free.

The savings are considerable no matter how long you stay, and since the course is all-inclusive, all your snacks and drinks are on the (club)house, too. As if you golf junkies needed another excuse to hit the fairway …

Just click here to check out the promotion on the Royal Hideaway site, then surf on over to our Featured Golf page to see more of our favorite Caribbean courses.