Cedar Valley - Antigua and Barbuda

Cedar Valley is set quite spectacularly on high ground, affording panoramic views of the Caribbean coastline. Ralph Aldridge originally laid out the course in 1970 as a 9-holer. Seven years later, the course was extended to 18 holes and it immediately became Antigua’s first and only 18-hole championship course.

Viv Richards is possibly the most famous Antiguan sportsman and one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Everyone knows that cricketers enjoy the odd game of golf but it was a pleasant surprise to bump into him at Cedar Valley when we played here in April 2002.

The Cedar Valley design is at once thrilling and the layout plots its way up and down the valley in a charming manner. Mature tropical trees flank many of the fairways and they certainly come into play if you are slightly wayward.

Measuring 6,157 yards with par set at 70, Cedar Valley is not that long, but it does provide a challenging test for all levels of golfer. The first hole, which measures more than 400 yards from the back tees, sweeps to the right and it’s probably one of the hardest holes on the course and a brutal opener hole for many golfing holidaymakers.