Barbados, with its blend of white sandy beaches, top class hotels and sophisticated restaurants, has long been the tropical retreat of choice for the well-heeled traveller looking to escape another damp and depressing British winter.
Supermodels, stars of stage, screen and sport and simply the super-rich have been coming to this stunning and unspoiled Caribbean island for decades, drawn by its relaxed pace of life, year-round sunshine and the promise of laid-back luxury.
Although Concorde sadly no longer jets in the beautiful people in under five hours, a steadily growing number of sun-seekers are happy to take advantage of the plentiful supply of competitively-priced flights (and cruise ships) from the UK.
Sport has always enjoyed top billing in Barbados, with cricket long being a national obsession, as shown to global audiences in last year's World Cup. And while surfing, sailing and scuba diving remain the most popular water-based sports among visitors, it is golf that is gaining the biggest foothold on this 21 by 14-mile island, which was once affectionately known as "Little England".
Given the size of the island, it's all about quality rather than quantity when it comes to golf, with four championship-standard courses split between the exclusive five-star resorts at Sandy Lane and Royal Westmoreland, and a further 18-hole course at Barbados Golf Club.
Located on the leeward "Platinum Coast", the Sandy Lane Resort is where Tiger Woods chose to get married in 2005, and where the rich and famous, and the famously rich, come for a bit of R&R.
The stunning hotel aside, the golfing attractions come in the shape of the Country Club Course (which staged the 2006 World Cup of Golf) and the Tom Fazio-designed Green Monkey, both of which offer 18 holes out of the very top draw. A further nine holes is available on the "Old Nine", which is none the worse for being both old and nine!
Nearby, the spectacular Royal Westmoreland Resort is on an equal footing in both the quality of its Robert Trent Jones-designed course and the magnificent estate that surrounds it. Opened in 1995, the course is home to the European Senior Tour's Barbados Open and, as such, is designed to test the very best.
A relentless rollercoaster of a ride, the 6,870-yard layout is set in and around a vast canyon overlooking the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, with every hole offering a visual treat and a formidable golfing challenge. The short holes are tremendous (the 200-yard 15th being a signature highlight) and the hazards as picturesque and exotic as they are damaging to the card: a coral quarry, rubber trees, wild cane, green monkeys. It's got it all.
After your round, sit down with a chilled beer on the veranda of the wonderful colonial-style clubhouse, and watch the sun go down on yet another perfect day.
Without a hotel on site, accommodation at Royal Westmoreland is to be found in the numerous luxury villas that are dotted around the estate, many of which are let out to visitors by their wealthy owners. Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam and cricket legend Sir Gary Sobers both own homes here (as do Mike Gatting and Virginia Wade), while Gary Lineker, Ian Botham and Brian Lara are all regular visitors, so you'll be in elite sporting company whenever you play a round here. Just make sure it's soon, as your drink won't stay chilled forever!
Getting there
Flying times from the UK to Barbados' Sir Grantley Adams International Airport is eight hours from London. For prices and schedules visit www.ba.com.
Things to do
Natural attractions abound, from palm-fringed beaches and tropical rainforests to botanical gardens and spectacular caves. The south coast is home to some of the island's best beaches and the liveliest atmosphere, with St Lawrence Gap's bars, cafés and shops at the centre of the action.
Other "must-dos" include watching cricket at the Kensington Oval or a visit to the Earthworks Pottery, Edghill Heights (001 246 425 0223).
Contacts book
Where to play & stay
Royal Westmoreland
www.royal-westmoreland.com
Sandy Lane
www.sandylane.com
Barbados Golf Club
www.barbadosgolfclub.com
More information
www.barbados.org
Competition
Enter the British Airways Caribbean Challenge – and you could win a dream trip to Barbados! Organised by British Airways, the Caribbean Challenge offers you the chance to win a week's stay on the luxurious Royal Westmoreland Estate in Barbados for you and 11 friends. Flights for everyone on BA are also included.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of claiming this fantastic prize is successfully complete three Caribbean-themed games (including questions on various Caribbean islands and several sporting challenges) to win the chance to open the treasure chest. The nice people at BA have even included a golf game!
So if you're feeling lucky, take the British Airways Caribbean Challenge by visiting www.caribbeanchallenge.co.uk and you could be on your way to Barbados.
Good luck!
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