Course Layout
Course Overview
This 6195 yard Par 70 course has a Course rating of 69.7 and a Slope of 119 as rated by the USGA. Having just White and Red tee boxes , simplifies the choices. It is located among lush green vegetation. The slightly undulating terrain of the front nine, on this walking course, poses no significant physical challenges for golfers of all ages. A pleasant mix of Pride of India, Mahogany, Casuarina ,Poui and mango trees are silent spectators , almost daring you. Winter rules is a standard at this course unless otherwise stated. The back Nine poses somewhat of a greater physical challenge to negotiate . Golfers can reminisce at the well-watered 19th hole and perform all combinations of postmortems.
Golf Course Hole By Hole Review
Hole #1, WHITE: SI 8 241 YDS, RED: SI 10 186 YDS, Par 3
White Tee: a somewhat challenging hole to start your round from an elevated tee-box especially with a left-side flag placement. Some planning needed when teeing off as wind direction can be a factor. No significant dangers other than the trees and bamboo grove on the left. Many a casual tee shot have found the bamboo thereby dulling an expected starting par.
Red Tee: Hitters off the Reds have a 50 yard shorter clear shot at the green.
Hole #2, WHITE: SI 4 550 YDS, RED: SI 4 402 YDS, Par 5
White Tee: Almost a straight par-5 with a slight dogleg to the left first, and then to the right. Red stake hazard along the left side. Tee shot landing area narrows enough to give the serious golfer pause. Beware of the Pride of India trio of beautiful trees with low branches. Locals call them “ball magnets” forcing you to make a somewhat difficult low punching second shot from under the trees. No danger around the green.
Red Tee: The tee box is about 150 yards down the fairway to the right.
Hole #3, WHITE: SI 16 120 YDS, RED: SI 16 120 YDS, Par 3
White Tee: Straightforward par 3. A well-executed straight iron Tee-shot needed to avoid the two greenside bunkers. Yellow stakes hazard drain just short of the green with Out of Bounds on the right and on the road off the back. Undulating green need a good read to assure a deserving birdie.
Red Tee: Same as for White Tee.
Hole #4, WHITE: SI 18 129 YDS, RED: SI 18 129 YDS, Par 3
White Tee: Easiest hole on the course as stated on the card for this elevated green except the four greenside bunkers usually have something to say about that. A good assessment of the wind, careful club selection and well executed textbook iron shot are all that is needed to prove the card right! Short front miss is better than long drive over the green to the back. The green is flat and true with the slightest of undulation.
Green can be fast on hot dry days.
Red Tee: Same as for the White Tee
Hole #5, WHITE: SI 6 338 YDS, RED: SI 8 318 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: This is a dog-leg right, drivable Par 4 for the very long hitters. For most weekend warriors, green in regulation is easily possible. The rough along the left hand side must be noted. Stay left on drives to avoid interference of the line of Mahogany and Casuarina trees along the right side of the fairway. Landing in the right hand side hazard may mandate a drop at the point of entry some distance back bringing the trees into play to a flat green with no bunkers.
Red Tee: Just 20 yards shorter.
Hole #6, WHITE: SI 10 365 YDS, RED: SI 12 344 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: Straight fairway to an uphill green guarded by two front greenside bunkers. Right side of fairway guarded by a line of trees and red stake hazard. Your approach shot is more concerned with avoiding running off the back-sloping fast green. This green can be a challenge to stop the ball on dry days.
Red Tee: Just 20 yards shorter.
Hole #7, WHITE: SI 14 326 YDS, RED: SI 14 290 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: A friendly hole generally with wind from the left. Left side red stake hazard can be a challenge for an overly drawn ball. Right side rough is usually well maintained to allow for “taking your medicine” and punching out back to the fairway under the Pride of India trees, or for the super adventurous, “going for it” with a high ball flight. Word of caution; miss to the front is better than a long shot which can roll off the back into the hazard, necessitating a drop to the nearby “drop zone”. A pronounced slope between front and back of the green and composite grass type needs some in-depth read.
Red Tee: A 30 yard shorter tee shot.
Hole #8, WHITE: SI 12 486 YDS, RED: SI 6 420 YDS, Par 5
White Tee: One of the friendlier Par 5s on the course.Good concentration and planning certainly rewards the birdie hunter. The yellow stake hazard across the fairway lies in wait about 290 yards from the tee box. Pride of India tree grove on right hand side beyond which rough beckons. Left hand side guarded by red stake hazard drain. A slightly sloping uphill green is guarded by two greenside bunkers,. Be an airline pilot on this one: straight in approach with a gentle landing.
Red Tee: The tee box being 66 yards down and tucked to the left of the fairway, brings the yellow stake drain across the fairway into play for most ladies.
Hole #9, WHITE: SI 2 480 YDS, RED: SI 2 449 YDS, Par 5
White Tee: One of those Par 5 holes which rewards staying on y0ur fairway. Narrow but adequate exit off the Tee. For the second shot, consider laying up to the 100 yard marker located at the narrowing ‘valley’ and beware of those Pride of India trees on #2 fairway which can become a factor. Uphill approach shot to a wide but not very deep green posing no danger except for the front right-side bunker. Greenside back drain politely offers a backstop and free drop on the steep bank at back.
Red Tee: Posing all the challenges as the white except 30 yards shorter.
Hole #10, WHITE: SI 5 415 YDS, RED: SI 3 345 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: Well, “the journey now start” according to a popular calypsonian. The elevated Tee box gives a panoramic view of the challenge ahead. A tee shot to the valley below leaves approximately 180 yards for the second shot to the very elevated green. Utilize an extra club to cater for the elevation. Perimeter drain at back of green offer some protection and a free drop for the slightly energetic approach. Beware though, that there is not much room to be very long. Fast, forward sloping green especially when recently cut and rolled. Card says Par 4, but……
Red Tee: Even though 70 yards closer, still an uphill challenge for the ladies.
Hole #11, WHITE: SI 13 202 YDS, RED: SI 9 174 YDS, Par 3
White Tee: Another elevated Tee box to a delightful hole. You have to play golf on this one considering the downhill factor, wind and that tall majestic tree which is right of center, but enough to put fear into the natural draw player. The green is guarded by a protective slope. Short, and you would need to have that flop shot in your arsenal. If chipping from the left, beware of the more than apparent left to right breaks.
Red Tee: just 25 yard closer but still long and narrow for the ladies.
Hole #12, WHITE: SI 17, 342 YDS, RED: SI 15 272 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: Straight in hole into the wind along a slight downslope fairway. Beware of hazard drain across the fairway just about 230 yards from the Tee. The real challenge is the near 100 year old Samaan tree in the Tee-shot landing zone. Long hitters can clear the tree and hazard drain quite easily with a rewarding roll to inside 100 yards of this long, narrow green guarded by a baby front left side bunker. This is an unusually slow green, even on hot, dry days. Pays to putt last here !!!.
Red Tee: All the challenges off the whites except 70 yards closer.
Hole #13, WHITE: SI 15 193 YDS, RED: SI 13 162 YDS, Par 3
White Tee: Another innocent looking hole, but if protecting your lead, then caution is advised. Wind is definitely a factor and you may consider walking up to the hilltop Tee-box with two clubs. An accurate tee shot is needed to assure a Par from this elevated tee box. Short and right is safe but will challenge your chipping skills. Long and right will find the tall grass rough. Left side of the green may demand a lob shot to navigate up and over the slope reinforced by a metal sheet wall. The green is of moderate speed and turtle back shaped..
Red Tee: Just 30 yards closer and to the right, and have all the challenges as do the Whites.
Hole #14, WHITE: SI 1 464 YDS, RED: SI 5 397 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: The most difficult hole on the card starts with a slow, steady walk up the hill to a recessed elevated tee box. One of those times you wish you did not have to honor, if only to catch your breath! The #12 fairway on the right offers protection for a fading drive but puts that majestic 100 year old Samaan tree in play again. A well struck second shot can land you on the two-tiered oval shaped, slightly up-sloping green. Rising bank at back of green will slow a moderate roll.
Red Tee: About 70 yards shorter give a more neutral tee at the bottom of the slope and just slightly right of the fairway, reducing the SI to 5.
Hole #15, WHITE: SI 9 542 YDS, RED: SI 1 527 YDS, Par 5
White Tee: Another one of those holes that will require you to do some planning. Fairly wide tee shot landing area with red stake hazard along the entire left side of this left-banking fairway. Left-pulled tee shots into the hazard will usually set you back to the point of entry drop zone, thereafter needing some pretty accurate shots to save par. Rough all along the right hand side .Long hitters can challenge the obscured tucked dog-leg right green on their 2nd shot.
Red Tee: Most difficult hole on the card and for good reason, as this hole is long and requires accuracy from start to finish.
Hole #16, WHITE: SI 7 408 YDS, RED: SI 11 333 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: Nearly straight in Par 4 needing two moderately accurate shot to get the flattest truest green in regulation. Tall rough on the left, relatively deep concrete base hazard drain along the entire right-hand side usually needs a drop unless scratched irons are less than the cost of what’s at stake! Right-side tree can get in the way of an overly casually executed right-side approach shot to a friendly and true green. Green and surrounding fairway is very fast in dry conditions when Out of Bounds waits once over the road at the back of the green for an overzealous approach shot.
Red Tee: With 75 yards closer and to the left of the fairway, gives the ladies a relatively easy par 4 when compared to the 2 holes prior.
Hole #17, WHITE: SI 3 434 YDS, RED: SI 7 331 YDS, Par 4
White Tee: A challenging Par 4 with right dogleg, and Out of Bounds all along the right of the fairway demands some concentration. Another one of those holes needing caution if you are guarding your lead. Tee shots crosses #8’s fairway, so exercise caution. Middle, or just left of middle, tee shot over the small slope on the fairway provides the best chances for your second shot through the fairly narrow approach to the slightly elevated green guarded by the lone left greenside bunker.
Red Tee: With 100 yards down to the left of the fairway provides a slightly straighter approach, but the right side Out of Bounds still awaits any loose tee shots.
Hole #18, WHITE: SI 11 160 YDS, RED: SI 17 103 YDS, Par 3
White Tee: A scenic signature finishing hole from tee box jutting out into the lake. Approach to the green is firstly over water, then steeply elevated with no run for short approach shots. Exercise caution, however, with a green to the front. Putting from the back to front of the green warrants paying attention to those putting before you. Speed is crucial, as strong putts can end going down the fairway: significant finishing setback.
Red Tee: As with the white tee, the red Tee box juts out into the lake 50 yards closer to the green, but faces the same challenges as with the white.
Range Info
Our driving range is the ideal place to practice your swing. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer honing your skills or a beginner getting started, our range is equipped to help you improve your game.
- Number of stalls: The number of stalls at a driving range is the number of hitting positions that are available to golfers.
- Types of targets available: Some driving ranges have targets that golfers can aim at, such as flags, greens, or bunkers. Others simply have a large open area where golfers can hit their balls.
- Distance between the stalls and the targets: The distance between the stalls and the targets at a driving range can vary depending on the size and layout of the range.
Range Rules
- The range is open Sunday to Sunday 8:00AM to 6:00PM
- PAPGCL Members and Guests are eligible to use the Range
- Follow the instructions of the range supervisor at all times
- Do not venture into the range
- Club Dress code is in effect on the Range
- Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult
- Practice proper golf etiquette and safety considerations to fellow golfers at all times
- Range Balls are the property of PAPGCL. Unauthorized removal will be considered as theft of PAPGCL property
Club/Course History
A Short History of Golf at the Point a Pierre Golf Course
Barry P. Hubah
The Pointe a Pierre Golf Course was established in the late 1930’s by the British Ex Patriates who came to Trinidad to construct and operate the Oil Refinery which was then owned by The Regent Oil Company, a British Company. The primary purpose being the refining of the indigenous crude oil to make fuels in support of their efforts in WWII.
An entire self-contained gated community was created for the British families. There were bungalows, schools, a hospital, a grocery, police force etc. and superb sporting facilities, the 18-hole golf course being the most extensive. There was also a club house at La Carriere which was destroyed by fire. The existing club house, a much larger structure was built in 1953.
The golf course was modified in the 1960’s to allow for the expansion of the refinery.
Part of the residential area at Mango Avenue was cleared of bungalows to allow for the relocation of holes Nos. 12, 13 and 14. Hence that area being referred to as “Mango”.
Because of the superb sporting facilities existing in the “Camp”, as the residential area was commonly called, many of the children who had access to these facilities played all the sports and some excelled at their chosen sport, receiving national and international recognition.
Golf led in this regard. The Pointe a Pierre Club produced three golfing professionals all of whom as children lived with their parents on the Camp and had full and unlimited use of the golf course, the encouragement of their parents and the support of the community.
The pros were Allan Mew who played on the Canadian tour in 1978 and spent time on the European tour. Chris Harries who played in Britain in the 1980’s. Both players did very well and certainly brought recognition to Point a Pierre.
The third is Stephen Ames, he practically lived on the golf course and showed great potential as a junior. In my opinion his younger brother Robert was the better golfer. Stephen has been very successful on the International Tours and has
certainly made us all proud. He is very active in encouraging and supporting junior coaching programs in T&T. He has been back at Pointe a Pierre on at least two occasions in the early 2000s with his Canadian team of teaching professionals. There was practical training on the course and classroom training which consisted of topics like diet and exercises. One of the topics on that curriculum was psychology and it was conducted by a Golf Psychologist from the University of Toronto. About 25 juniors from throughout T&T participated. Stephen continues to show great interest in junior golf in T&T.
In the 1970’s the Pointe a Pierre 18-hole Golf Course was considered one of the best in terms of its layout and rating. I had on two occasions the opportunity of accompanying the USGA team when they came to “Rate” the course. This is a requirement of the USGA that every golf course should complete every 10 years.
They were high in praise of the maintenance contractor, Victor Alexander.
Throughout the period we are considering in this document there was a time when the golf course suffered some neglect. It was the year 1975. In that year there was a major “Strike” in the Oil Industry which adversely affected the entire Nation.
Contractors were not allowed to enter the industrial and residential areas. To preserve the pristine condition of the golf course the residents, i.e. the ex-pats commandeered the maintenance equipment and maintained the golf course themselves. It was not uncommon to see some of the housewives cutting the greens. Their love for the game and their golf course motivated them to maintain the course for their enjoyment.
The Pointe a Pierre Golf course has been the preferred venue for many important and enjoyable games.
Royal Bank Event.
This was an annual T&TGA sanctioned event which attracted national players. The scores were used for the ranking of national players and selecting national teams. Among those PaP players who were considered for the national team were Errol Ramsey, Ray Roberts and Rolly Davis who did make the “cut” on one occasion.
Johnnie Walker Black Event.
This prestigious event was held annually in countries around the world. When it came to Trinidad in the early 1980’s, the game was played at Pointe a Pierre. The next year it returned to Pointe a Pierre, Trinidad. This was unprecedented, a major departure from the JWB program, and it was the first time in the history of the tournament that any country was so privileged. Geo. F. Huggins was the local agent for JWB. The country manager was Tony Alcazar. On enquiring from him the reason for such a privilege he informed me that in T&T we were drinking more JWB scotch per capita than any other country in the world!! The owner of the distillery in Scotland got on his private jet and flew to Trinidad to see the country and meet the people of T&T to satisfy his curiosity.
Drew Chemicals.
This prestigious event was held annually for about 5 consecutive years primarily through the efforts of Francis Sanantan who was the Golf Captain at the time. Drew Chemicals was a US company and a major supplier of chemicals to the refinery. After the game a very lavish function was held in the ballroom of the club to which the spouses of all players were invited to share in the festivity.
Lennox Petroleum Services.
Another very lavish event both on the course and in the ballroom. This event was sponsored by Lennox Persad who attended every event ensuring his personal touch from planning to execution. He was a very generous host. Both players and spouses were invited to the after-game function where a DJ provided music for dancing after dinner.
Victor Alexander Invitational Golf Tournament.
Given his long and meritorious contributions to golf in T&T, this event attracted golfers throughout T&T. Many of his old friends of yesteryear came to this event to thank and honour Victor who also hosted a wonderful function in the club. Many current and past national players attended this event.
Dunlop ProAm Tournament.
This two-day event was hosted by the Pointe a Pierre Club in September 1984. It attracted pros mainly from Europe and several local players. Giving an excellent account of themselves was the home team of Chris Harries and Mani Bhimull who came in second overall. Some of the PaP Club players in the field were Raffique Mohammed (Ian’s father), Khem Jokhoo (Ronald’s father) and Sherwin Seenath. The PaP Club was well represented.
Prime Minister Charity Golf Tournament.
In 1997 the MP for Pointe a Pierre, Bill Chaitan conceived of this event to raise funds for charity. Having received permission from the Prime Minister, The Hon. Basdeo Panday, a committee was constituted primarily from Pointe a Pierre Club members and the inaugural game was held at the Pointe a Pierre course on 29th November 1997. It was probably the largest golfing event ever held in Trinidad. The course was in immaculate condition. The game was followed by a banquet in the ballroom of the club. The Prime Minister participated in both the game and the function in the ballroom of the club.
My recollection of these events is primarily because of serving on the Club’s Executive for many years and also as Chairman, participating in all the sporting activities. I also served on two separate occasions as Golf Captain at Pointe a Pierre and as Vice President of the T&TGA for two years. The information herein is mainly from memory and may not be as accurate as I would like, but the intention is to share with you some of our glorious past in the hope that we can build on it for the coming generations and leave for them a much better country. Our children deserve no less.
