After our two stops in Grand Turk and San Juan we found ourselves in St. Thomas; part of the US Virgin Islands. Unlike the previous two stops, I didn’t need to research golf courses as I already knew that if you want to play golf in St. Thomas you have only one option and that’s Mahogany Run. I actually had the chance to play Mahogany Run on a previous cruise back in December 2014 but our round was cut short after only 15 holes. This time around I was dead set on playing a full 18 holes.
One word comes to mind when describing the George and Tom Fazio design of Mahogany Run, “unique”. The layout is unique and I can honestly say I’ve never come across another layout similar to Mahogany Run. The elevation changes are dramatic, looking down from some of the tee boxes would be a problem for someone with a fear of heights. Downhill putts are nearly impossible on some of the greens, if you miss the hole expect your ball to be off the green. All this and I haven’t even mentioned the 3 hole stretch on the back nine they refer to as the Devil’s Triangle.
Getting to Mahogany Run is very simple, a cab ride will take about 20 minutes and cost you $10 per person. The insider tip is to ask your cab driver to pull over at the lookout just before getting to the course, the view is amazing and a great photo opportunity. If you’re on a cruise ship pretty much every cruise line offers 18 holes of golf at Mahogany Run as one of their St. Thomas shore excursions. The drive up from the cruise port is a thrill as you climb thousands of feet to reach the course, rest assured the local drivers don’t have any problem taking the tight corners along the cliffs.
My daughter and I made our way to Mahogany Run via Taxi from the cruise terminal well ahead of our 1PM tee time. When we arrived at the course a father and son (Bruce and Yuriy) from our ship were also checking in for a round of golf. My daughter knew Yuriy from the youth program on the ship and we decided to play with them as a foursome. It turns out Yuriy also participates in a Jr. PGA League so him and Cameron had quite a bit in common. The course being so short at only 6,000 yards from the tips is actually setup quite well for the kids. Both Cameron and Yuriy played from the forward tees which play at 4,873 yards.
Having played Mahogany Run before, I knew what was in store and had a plan of attack in mind. Given the short yardage of the course and the many elevated tee boxes you almost feel like you can drive the green on several of the par 4’s. Having tried that my first time around at Mahogany Run and failing miserably, I knew this time I would play it smart and only take advantage of the short distances when I had the right angle. After warming up with a bucket or range balls from the elevated practice area, we all headed to the first tee.
Right off the bat my plan of attack was going to be tested. The first hole has an elevated tee box and plays 414 yards. It’s a 90 degree dogleg right with nothing but trouble as you hit the dogleg. From the tee, if you hit your driver you could be long and lose your ball, you could be right and end up O.B. or you could also end up in a ditch/stream if your ball kicks the right way. Needless to say, not a hole to hit the driver, instead I stuck to the plan and hit a 5 iron safely onto the fairway. My tee shot actually ran out nicely and funneled towards the dogleg leaving me with a great chance to hit the green in regulation. My approach shot was pin high but off to the right, I ended up taking a bogey to get the round started.
The entire front nine is free of water hazards or any views of the Caribbean Sea, when playing a golf course on St. Thomas, this probably wouldn’t be something you would expect but the Devil’s Triangle on the back nine makes up for it. The beauty of the front 9 revolves around the drastic elevation changes and the natural mountain scenery. Hole #2 is a short par 4 playing only 355 from the tips, but it’s a dogleg left playing severely uphill. I hit an iron off the tee once again and was in great shape, my next shot was even better and I was on the green in regulation. Believe it or not, I actually made the birdie putt, putting me at even after 2 holes.
After the birdie on number 2 I was sky high, I’d figured out this crazy course and was tearing it up! Number 3 is a par 5 playing 519 yards. The elevated tee box is amazing on this hole, from tee to fairway your ball must fall 500 feet. I used driver and put it in the fairway, followed by a 3 wood that put me on the side of the green. After a chip and 2 putts I had another par, to keep me at even par after 3 holes. Trust me even par after 3 holes is nothing short of amazing for my game! We headed over to number 4 which is our first par 3 playing at only 133 yards. I hit a decent tee shot and 2 putted for another par, I’m even after 4 holes that’s a personal best for me!
Headed over to #5, I felt like I could walk on water! However, I knew it couldn’t last and I finally came crashing back to reality on this short par 4. I tried to hit my driver going against the game plan and ended up O.B. and having to hit another from the tee box. All in all, I ended up with an 8 on this hole for quadruple bogey. I followed up my quadruple bogey with a double bogey on the next 2 short par 4s. Going into #8 I was now 8 over par.
Number 8 is the second Par 3 on the course and plays 148 yards. Nothing too crazy about this one other than the fact that the green slopes so heavily you need to keep the ball below to hole to ensure an uphill putt. I had a good tee shot and managed a 2 putt for par. I was back on track heading to #9. I ran into a little trouble with a bad chip on #9 but only lost a stroke as I finished with a bogey. I finished the front nine with a 44; the rest of my group didn’t fare as well (Cameron 56, Bruce 52, Yuriy 51).
Starting the back 9, everyone was excited to face the Devil’s triangle, more than once the kids asked us if we were there yet. Before we entered the Devil’s Triangle, we had to play 10, 11, and 12. The back nine started off a little rough as I took a double bogey on the par 4 on #10. Up next was the Par 3 #11 playing 153 yards.
It’s from an elevated tee box and plays about 2 clubs less than you would expect. I hit the green and was able to 2 putt for par. On the par 4 on #12, I ended up with a bogey after my 2nd shot landed in one of the bunkers protecting the green, first bunker I managed to find all day.
Finally, we had finished the first 12 holes and were ready to enter the Devil’s Triangle.
The Devil’s Triangle is made of 3 holes which all overlook the beautiful Caribbean Sea. For the first time on this course, we were about to see the stunning views we had all been anticipating. In my opinion, the best of the 3 holes is #13, it’s a short par 4 playing at only 327 yards but extremely tricky. From the tee you only need to hit the ball about a 170 yards, any more and you might end up in the hazard. My iron shot from the tee was a little shorter than I wanted but still left me with a shot at the green. My second shot cleared the hazard but end up in a green-side bunker. After taking 2 shots to get out of the bunker, I ended up 2 putting for a double bogey. You have to walk down to the green on #13 and it’s just an amazing view as you walk down the steps and onto the green, don’t forget the camera.
Number 14 is the signature hole at Mahogany Run, it’s a breathtaking Par 3 that forces you to carry the Caribbean Sea several hundred feet below. The hole plays 159 and depending on the wind can be relatively easy or nearly impossible. It’s better to be long than short here without a doubt, I’ve actually seen a ball hit long roll down the bank and onto the green. My tee shot was long and left and unrecoverable from the hazard. I took a drop and finished with another double bogey. The clubhouse gives you a prize if you finish the Devil’s triangle without a penalty, unfortunately I was now out of the running.
After snapping a few more photos on the 14th green we headed over to #15 which is a par 5 playing 564 yards and the final piece of the Devil’s Triangle. In my mind, #15 is the hardest hole on the course and based on the course handicap everyone else agrees with me since it’s rated #1. The tee shot is blind as you try your best to aim at the target flag they have setup. Even if you hit a good tee shot you’re faced with a tough second shot which will most likely force you to lay up before the pond protecting the green. After that, you still have a chance of blowing your approach shot and getting wet just like I did! After all that, I finished the hole with a triple bogey.
Even with the Devil’s Triangle behind us I was still excited to play the final 3 holes since I never got a chance to play them on my first visit to Mahogany Run. Number 16 is a Par 3 playing 146 nothing too special about this one just don’t hit into the hazard on the left or long. I managed to walk away from 16 with a bogey. Number 17 is a Par 4 playing 415 yards. From the tee, you have to watch out for the hazard on the left. Coming into the uphill green, make sure to add a club you’ll need the extra distance. I finished number 16 with a 3 putt for double bogey.
The finishing hole, number 18 is a Par 5 playing 510 yards. The hole secretly leading you back to the club house is a real handful with a slight dogleg right. Depending on how good your drive is you could try to go for the green in two but I wouldn’t know with the drive I hit. However, this St. Thomas story would have a Hollywood ending as I found myself on the left side of an elevated green and chipped in for birdie. It’s one of the best chip shots I’ve ever hit and the furthest distance I’ve ever chipped in from. To me it was the perfect way to end a great round with my daughter and 2 new friends. The finishing scores were 92 for myself, 99 for Yuriy, 109 for Bruce, and 114 for Cameron.
At the end of the day, everyone had a great time and enjoyed a truly unique golf course. I can honestly say any time I’m in St. Thomas, I would look forward to playing a round at Mahogany Run. The staff was very friendly and more than willing to offer tips and advice on how to attack the course. It’s the type of course where local knowledge is worth its weight in gold.