Developer Southworth invests $350m into projects at private club community, including the creation of a new putting course by golfer Darren Clarke
By Richard Humphreys |
Developer Southworth has invested $350 million into transforming The Abaco Club, a 500-acre private club community it owns and operates on Great Abaco Island in The Bahamas.
The investment has included real estate, new amenities, a new putting course by golfer Darren Clarke and a renovation of the club’s 18-hole layout by Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert. The renovation marks a return for Mackenzie, who originally designed the course with Donald Steel.
Mackenzie’s recent work covered six holes – mainly on the front nine – and primarily focused on adding length, revamping bunkers and unlocking sea views. On the par-four second, the greenside bunker has been rebuilt with a stacked style, shifting towards a more traditional pot bunker aesthetic. While at the par-three sixth, the tee has been elevated to open up a more expansive bay and water view – this has lengthened the hole from 158 yards to 196.
Much of Tom Mackenzie’s work focused on the front nine (Photo: The Abaco Club)
At the par-four seventh, tees have been relocated to increase the hole’s length from 420 yards to 472, while the greenside bunker also now features a stacked style. The par-five eighth has been extended from 495 yards to 548, and the green surrounds have been redesigned to integrate with the ninth’s tee complex. In addition to relocating tees on hole nine, vegetation near the green has been thinned to open up views of the bay. On the par-three seventeenth, select vegetation has been thinned to enhance the ocean view.
Vegetation has been cleared near the seventeenth green (in the foreground). A new oceanfront deck between the green and the eighteenth tee has also been built (Photo: The Abaco Club)
Clarke, an ambassador at Abaco, has created El Diablo, an 18-hole putting course inspired by the Himalayas complex at St Andrews and has modelled it after his favourite three green complexes at Abaco. The one-acre facility is inspired by the course’s fifth, eighth and ninth greens, and is surrounded by palm trees.
Darren Clarke has designed a putting course near the club’s Birdie Bar (Photo: The Abaco Club)
Southworth’s $350m investment has also included revamping the oceanfront beach club; building a racquet sports complex; tennis courts; pickleball courts; a bar; redesigning its restaurant; a Fenway-inspired wiffle ball and multi-use field; an oceanfront deck between the seventeenth green and eighteenth tee; and 19 new beachfront residences. Future amenities planned include a spa and an expanded fitness centre.
“At The Abaco Club, our priority has always been a lifestyle defined by genuine belonging, memorable experiences and meaningful connection, which is why we continue to evolve the club over time, building on what members already love about being here,” said Tommy Southworth, president of Southworth. “This ongoing investment represents our vision for a true island sanctuary, where members can enjoy world-class amenities, personal service and effortless living amid the unrivalled natural beauty of The Bahamas. It’s been a joy to see the new spaces bring fresh energy and new ways for families and friends to spend time together – creating experiences they’ll return to and remember for years to come.”