Gary Player - The Legend

Presenting The Marquis Estate

Jul 13, 2009 | Filed Under: Golf Course DesignReal Estate Services | Comments: 3   

Gary Player and Harlequin Hotels & Resorts Formally Announce a Ground-Breaking Venture on St. Lucia, The Marquis Estate

-World’s First Resort to Feature a Gary Player Signature Course, Gary Player Golf Hotel and Villas-

The Gary Player Group is expanding its global brand with the announcement today of an extraordinary new real estate venture in concert with Harlequin Hotels & Resorts at The Marquis Estate on the stunning northeast coast of St. Lucia, an unspoiled Caribbean island gem.  The five-star beach resort project was officially unveiled at a special launch event hosted by Harlequin Hotels & Resorts at The Grove, an award-winning country estate retreat, near London.

Plans include the first boutique Gary Player Golf Hotel and 20 Gary Player branded luxurious, secluded residential villas that will be interspersed on hillsides throughout the golf course.  The co-branded endeavor will be developed and designed by PLAYER Real Estate with Harlequin Hotels & Resorts, and the architecture and interior design will showcase the distinctive Player Infused with Africa™ inspired style, while keeping with the indigenous flavor of the island.  “Our long global history of being involved with the finest golf resort developments in the world will be brought to bear on this project,” said Ken Costanzo, President of PLAYER Real Estate.  “Additionally, we are organizing a team of world class designers, hotel operators, and other professional partner firms to support us in the development of the Gary Player Golf Hotel in St. Lucia.”

Of course, a Gary Player Signature Golf Course will anchor the resort property.  The Gary Player Design team has made multiple visits to St. Lucia to establish design direction on this stunning site.  “The island site offers tremendous opportunity to take golf to nature,” stated Scott Ferrell, President of Gary Player Design.  “The valley floor includes wonderful tropical vegetation and a beautiful stream that dissects the property all the way to the Caribbean Sea.  We will incorporate both into our design.”

Harlequin Hotels & Resorts has pledged that the whole resort will be extremely sensitive to the environment.  Gary Player Design and PLAYER Real Estate will take great care to protect the existing ecosystems, plant and wildlife on the 600-acre Marquis Estate.    Gary Player and his team will make many site visits during development to ensure the quality and integrity of the championship course and real estate products.

The West Paces Group, a luxury hotel management company based in Atlanta, Georgia, will manage the Gary Player Golf Hotel and residences, including the golf clubhouse, beach club and spa.  The West Paces Group is renowned for its exceptional standards of service and for providing an unparalleled hospitality experience at the world-class hotels and resorts the company operates.

Other planned amenities at The Marquis Estate are an equestrian center, a cricket ground, nature trails, yacht club and marina.  A Pat Cash Tennis Academy also will be featured and Harlequin Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with the storied Liverpool Football Club to establish an innovative Liverpool FC Soccer School as part of The Marquis Estate’s sports programs.  A golf driving range, short game practice area and golf academy round out the golf experience. 

The Marquis Estate golf resort will provide a positive and lasting impact for St. Lucia.  “I’ve seen golf have a significant influence in so many emerging tourism markets,” affirms Gary Player, who this past March made his first visit to the island.  “We anticipate that this exciting new development will attract visitors from around the world to St. Lucia, which will provide a tremendous boost to the local economy.”  The Marquis Estate promises to be an unmatched Caribbean sanctuary for golf connoisseurs at one of the world’s most desired destinations.

For more information, please visit www.themarquisestate.com.

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