Golf already back in business after Hurricane Nicole slams Bermuda

Despite taking the brunt of Hurricane Nicole, which landed as a Category 3 storm on Oct. 13 with sustained winds up to 115 mph, the golf courses on the island of Bermuda are already back in business, having sustained mostly tree damage.

Most of the courses opened back up a day or two after the hurricane. For example, Port Royal Golf Course, former home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, opened the very next day, as did the Mid Ocean Club, and the nine-hole Ocean View Course opened a day later. And it's already back to business as usual at the Fairmont Southampton, home of the 18-hole par-3 Turtle Hill Golf Club.

The storm, which actually weakened from a category 4 before passing over the island, knocked out power to 27,000 customers, snapped trees and ripped off roofs before it passed through to open water, but the resort was well prepared.

To ensure the safety and security of its guests and colleagues, the Fairmont hotel team followed a comprehensive hurricane preparedness plan, and the property was well equipped to handle the storm.

Many homes on the island of Bermuda have lost power and island officials are currently assessing any other damage.

To assist local residents, Fairmont Southampton is offering reduced rates for those who wish to move into the hotel until power is restored. Fairmont Southampton did not sustain any significant damage as a result of Hurricane Nicole, and clean-up is well underway.

"With Hurricane Nicole behind us, the fall continues to be a wonderful time to visit Bermuda," said Shelley Meszoly, Fairmont Southampton's regional director of sales and marketing. "It is business as usual at Fairmont Southampton. We encourage anyone considering a visit to Bermuda to move forward with their travel plans and hope to see the guests whose trips may have been postponed back on the island very soon.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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Golf already back in business after Hurricane Nicole slams Bermuda