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The
elder of the Westin
Rio
Mar’s two courses, the Ocean Course, was designed by George
and Tom Fazio back in 1975, when premium resort golf was only
beginning to spring up around the Caribbean. This creation was
in the later years of the uncle-nephew architecture team,
before Tom would branch out on his own to become on of the
preeminent architects of today. His (now) well-documented
propensity for the dramatic may have been founded here on
this, one of this seminal works, at the 238-yard par three
16th. The design makes it clear that the Fazios wanted to
block off this oceanside plot for a signature hole, and it is
indeed the most memorable hole in the Westin Rio Mar's 36-hole
collection.
The 6,782-yard
Ocean Course, like many great resort courses, follows a
certain dramatic trajectory, moving from strong if uneventful
holes before building to a climactic close. Both courses here
on the Westin property take advantage of this suspenseful
mapping, and the two opening par fours, in their simplicity,
portend more exciting golf to come.
It is at the
171-yard fourth that the first decisive challenge presents
itself - a middle or long iron must be struck to a small
opening between bunkers left and long and a large pond
protecting the front and right sides of the green. As
if teasing the climax that is sure to follow, the course
"regresses" just a hole later, to a reachable par
five that can be played dangerously over the pond, or with the
cautious precision of three smart iron shots. Like the ebb and
flow of a music composition, the Ocean Course boldly charts
new territory before returning to the comfortable, familiar
refrain. There are flourishes of difficult shots in the middle
holes, like the approach to the par-four seventh and the long
solemn trek of the 562-yard 11th, but it is at the 13th that
these unfamiliar and anxiety-inducing shots come on quickly
and without remorse. The 405-yard hole features the same pond
in play at the fourth, and the tee shot must be played as
close to the dogleg as possible without trickling over the
hazard line. From here, the approach is all carry, and the
subtle slope of the fairway must be paid heed, as it will try
and work iron approaches left toward the greenside pond.
14 follows a
flat strip through a valley, with a green set back against a
hill, but the scent of the sea begins to pervade the fairway
at the 508-yard 15th, as one climbs this gentle hole,
following the turbulent sounds of the crashing surf. A strong
drive through the chute of trees sets up an uphill approach to
the left side, and it is at the green, lining up a birdie try,
that one first catches a glimpse of the sea, and the challenge
to come.
The table is
appropriately set for this definitive hole, and the wait for
this gem is hardly over hyped. It deserves due credit as a
punishing, windswept, Herculean challenge, where bogey is par
and par is the focus of conversation in the pub after the
round. If the wind is benign enough and the green is in fact
reachable, the desired play is a firm, piercing draw that
carries the lip of the huge greenside bunker and bounds onto
the putting surface. A long bunker shot is commonplace, and
appreciation for the surroundings often overcomes the hole's
victory on the scorecard. As if offered as both an apology and
proper context for the 16th, the closing two par fours at the
Ocean Course are gentle enough. Try to keep the pond at 18
from snaring a weak second shot, and a pair of pars are very
possible. As patriarch of the pair of golf courses at the
Westin Rio Mar, the Ocean Course has withstood the test of
time, and stands well enough on its own, apart from the
signature hole, to complement the newer River design. When two
great courses vie for the place in the hearts of their guests
as a favourite, return engagements are likely.
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