Golf at Aurora Anguilla Beach Resort

By Steve Pike, The Art of Travel

Richard Schulze is proof that even billionaires have bucket lists. For years he wanted to own a golf property and that came to fruition in 2020, when he acquired Aurora Anguilla Beach Resort & Golf Club in the British West Indies.

The new Greg Norman-designed Avalon Links short course opened in November and is the perfect complement for the 18-hole championship course, International Course, also a Norman design.

A keen observer of such revered places as Augusta National and Pebble Beach (where he was among 110 owners until three years ago), Schulze knew that short courses, par-3’s and layouts in general less than 18 holes and holes no greater than 300 yards, were a growing common denominator among the world’s elite courses.

Although the property was in disrepair when he bought it he saw the possibilities.

“I’m somewhat of an optimist.’’

In early 2021, Schulze asked Norman about creating a short course along a 19-acre piece of land between the International’s sixth and seventh holes.

The project ended up being a complete rebuild of the International, which became known as, Norman Signature International, plus a new construction of the Avalon Links Short Course.

The International can be stretched to a par 72 at 7,165 yards and fully opened in April, The nine-hole Avalon Links, 1,315 yards, par 28, opened in November, with Schulze hitting the inaugural 95-yard tee shot high into the Caribbean Ocean backdrop.

Avalon Links is a pure walking course with views of the Caribbean and the neighboring island of St. Martin, players can carry their bags or use pull carts, no riding carts allowed.

“We‘re pulling a cart or carrying a bag. That’s really the way the game was made to be played,’’ said Schulze.

The name “Avalon Links,’’ Schulze said, was chosen to represent a place to rest and rejuvenate.

“Avalon is the king’s playground.’’

“The design was made to allow beginners to be able to hit shots and just have fun,’’ said Scott DeLong, the resort’s director of golf operations. “It’s also made for skilled golfers to hit different clubs and never just play the same clubs. But most of all, just have fun.’’

The resort has five outstanding food and beverage outlets, including the upscale D. Richard’s steakhouse, an amphitheater for concerts, and a soon-to-open water park. A 10,000 square-foot hydroponic farm features two greenhouses and provides produce for the restaurants.

If you need a break and treatment for achy muscles after your round, the Sorana Spa has 12 treatment rooms, including two couples’ suites and a specialty space complete with a sand quartz table.

Schulze has also made it easier to get to the resort via the Aurora Anguilla Private Charter Service. Flights depart from Westchester County Airport and arrive at the international airport, about a 15-minute drive from Aurora Anguilla Beach Resort & Golf Club. .

“My hope is that we can bring two groups a week to the island.” We also can fly from Europe but it requires a stop in the Azores. You can bring families here and stay for an entire month.’’