Mount Irvine Bay - Trinidad and Tobago

3rd Trinidad and Tobago Ranking
Mount Irvine Bay Hotel and Golf Club,
P.O. Box 222,
Scarborough,
Tobago

  • +1 868 639 8854

  • Jason Patterson

  • John Harris

  • Carlton Faustin

Commander John D Harris carved the Tobago Golf Club, as it was originally called, out of an old coconut plantation in 1968. The following year, the club hosted Shell's Wonderful World of Golf.

Subsequently re-branded as the Mount Irvine Bay Golf Club the course is regarded as one of the best tracks in the Caribbean.

With spectacular sea views of Buccoo Reef from every hole, the course is laid out on a 127-acre site that rises inland on natural terraces from the sea, featuring many fairways that are framed by bamboo and palm trees.

An 18-hole, par 72 course measuring a shade under 6,800 yards, Mount Irvine is laid out in two returning loops of nine with five par fives (ranging from 465 to 535 yards) and five par threes (only two of which are less than 200 yards).

With more than half of the fairways kinking left or right, the architect certainly liked to incorporate doglegged holes into his design – none more so that at the 472-yard, par four, 9th where the elevated tee allows golfers to see all the water, sand and arboreal hazards on their way to the green.

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Reviews for Mount Irvine Bay

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Description: With spectacular sea views of Buccoo Reef from every hole, Mount Irvine Bay is laid out on a 127-acre site that rises inland on natural terraces from the sea... Rating: 1 out of 6 Reviews: 1

I played this course last week whilst visiting Tobago, buoyed by the positive review on the site and its number 1 ranking among the several courses in T&T. Unfortunately the reality could not be further from the truth now. It is clear to any golfer that the course layout is excellent. The changes in elevation, natural undulations and stunning setting lays the foundations for what should be an excellent golfing experience. Unfortunately the reality is a huge disappointment. It is clear that the course (and club generally) has suffered from a prolonged period of chronic under-investment (I would surmise zero investment). On many holes the 'fairways' are indistinguishable from the knee high rough. (One hole even had a resident goat tied up in the middle of the fairway). The tee boxes are incredibly scruffy and the bunkers all have overgrowing weeds. One minor plus point was the greens, which were at least amenable to holding a straight putt. On the whole though this was a hugely disappointing experience, so much so that I gave up and walked off after 11 holes - something I’ve never done when paying a green fee to play somewhere. The green fee of c.£35 plus c.£25 to hire clubs was extortion personified. Given the state of the course it should be no more than a £10 municipal practice course, and even then I suspect they’d struggle to attract business. The clubs too were astonishing - the putter belonged in a museum, being at least 30 years old, with the rest of the hotch potch bag belonging in the bin. It gives me absolutely no pleasure to write this. A close friend of mine has been visiting Tobago most years for the past 20 years. Once upon a time he played golf (about 15 years ago) and he remembers Mount Irvine as one of his favourite courses anywhere in planet golf. It was therefore a severe shock to find the course in the appalling condition that it was. I would strongly recommend any other visitors to save their money, or instead head to the nearby Tobago Plantations course at the Magdalena Grand resort (formerly the Hilton). It only cost an extra c.£10 for green fee and club hire (new Callaway irons, putter, fairway metal and driver) and that includes a buggy. Whilst not in the same league in terms of course layout it was at least expertly manicured, maintained and all round a very enjoyable golfing experience. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but until such time as Mount Irvine receives some investment from its owner(s) it hardly warrants classification as a golf course at all, let alone the best in T&T. Mark (12 handicap)
1 / 6
Mount Irvine Bay
April 10, 2014


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Cary
February 07, 2016
My Wife and I played this course yesterday and I can categorically state it is the worst course we have ever played and we have played in most parts of the World. The staff are sullen and no one was drinking out of a glass; it cost, for 2 with a buggy, £90 GBP; the buggy was petrol and rusting away - we almost choked on carbon monoxide; there are no buggy paths and the fairway undulations approximately 4 feet apart - you can imagine the ride! The bunkers have grass and weed growing in them and there are no rakes; the greens, bar one, are diseased and patched and had not been cut in a week; The fairways have, what we call, cow grass - the tall grass mowers cannot cut, all over and therefore there is no benefit in hitting the fairways. Do not waste your time and money; instead play the Magdelena Hotel and golf Resort Tobago plantation course which is in tip top condition, the same price with modern electric buggies and a great clubhouse with pleasant staff and good food.
Perry Miso
June 16, 2017

I have to agree with Mark here. I played this course back in the early 1980s and it was not well cared for. Debris from the trees littered the fairways and the grass was poorly cut. The greens were slow and seemed overgrown. The high point as I recall were the spectacular views overlooking the ocean and the reefs.

Jason Patterson
August 19, 2018

Dear Golfers,

My name is Jason Patterson the recently appointed General Manager & Golf Director of Mt Irvine Bay Resort in Tobago.

I can say with full confidence that the work we have completed in the last six months, you would be presently surprised to see a dramatic change in the Mt Irvine Golf Course. The three ponds are now clean on 18, 7 and 9 with aerator fountains installed. Fairways are tight, rough is down. Greens will be perfect in the next three months or sooner. The 15th green has been re seeded due to infestation of weeds. We are returning this stunning golf course back to its original design.

Please ask for me when you arrive at the Pro Shop, I would be happy to update you on the golf course on work we have completed and in to the future.

Kind regards

Jason Patterson