There is no golf course on the island quite as unique and special as Rockley Golf Course. A resort community where golfers, locals, and visitors come together in rich parkland, comprised of condominium clusters and lush fairways. Some call it an oasis on the bustling South Coast, playing a vital role in sports tourism and boosting the economy. The Rockley Open Tournament in February is consistently at the top of the golfing calendar.
The course itself is idyllic and often called a paradise for visitors, with towering mahogany trees, colourful shrubs, beautiful gardens, and over 400 units in clusters along the fairways. It is also home to many long-stay visitors, dubbed the ‘Snowbirds,’ from Canada, England, the United States, and Europe.
As a nine-hole course, Rockley is relatively short. Long drives are richly rewarded, but fairways are narrow, and an errant golfer can be ruthlessly penalized. Out-of-bounds surround every hole, and even the most experienced golfer will find the course challenging. The ultimate test at Rockley is the choice: go for distance with a high-risk strategy or manage each shot safely. Few golfers score low scores here.
Rockley doesn’t compete with courses like Sandy Lane, Apes Hill, Royal Westmoreland, or Barbados Golf Club in terms of landscape and amenities—but it excels in hospitality. Rockley’s ‘19th Hole’ is renowned for its social ambience, conviviality, fellowship, and camaraderie. Saturday tournaments are particularly special, with the clubhouse buzzing with music, dancing, dining, and drinking. At Rockley, there’s a lot more than nine holes of golf!
Rockley golf is steeped in history. Barbados owes a huge debt to the military, who introduced cricket, horseracing, polo, football, rugby, and golf, most of which centered at the Garrison Savannah. The military Royal Engineers drained the swamps for drilling, training, and recreation in the 1800s. Golf was played at the Garrison Savannah prior to 1900, but the sport virtually stopped during World War I (1914–1918).
The ‘Founding Fathers’ of Rockley Golf were George Manning and brothers Vicki and ‘Poor Bob’ Paravicino, prominent figures in the business community who wanted to boost tourism and real estate. Vicki, the most travelled, realized that Barbados would not attract holiday visitors without quality hotels and a golf course. Manning rented and later bought the land where Rockley Golf was founded.
Rockley was a swamp in the 1920s, transformed by George Manning in 1926. A private members club was formed, allowing golf to be played eight months of the year while reserving July to October for bird-shooting. In 1929, Rockley Golf Club was officially formed, with George Manning as the first President and Chairman. The first Men’s Captain was HGB Austin, later Sir Harry, a distinguished West Indies cricketer.
During the 1930s, Barbados society evolved, and the ensuing decades brought enfranchisement and ultimately independence in 1966. The clubhouse became a hub of sport, hosting tournaments and inter-club matches, with Rockley Golf featuring prominently in international marketing. The club closed from 1939 to 1945 during World War II. After the war, Manning sold his shares to members, and the club thrived during the 1950s, hosting weekly tournaments with hundreds of visitors.
However, the rise of other courses like Sandy Lane and proposed developments, along with the desire for an 18-hole course and improved amenities, led to Rockley Golf closing in 1973. Members were transferred to the Barbados Golf Club. Developers planned condominiums, but the government insisted that golf remain at Rockley. Between 1975 and 1980, Rockley was transformed into the resort community we know today, boosting tourism and real estate sales.
Rockley Hotel became the hub of entertainment, offering sand, sea, sunshine, accommodations, music, cuisine, and golf. Members aligned with the hotel, adding to the “all-inclusive” experience. The 1980s and 1990s brought spectacular shows, including performances by Paul Daniels, fire-eaters, stilt men, and rum punch parties. Cricket Test players, international umpire Dickie Bird, Sir Garry Sobers, squash champion Jonah Barrington, and musician Eddie Grant all frequented the club.
The hotel closed in 2003, but new owners revived the course. In 2016, shareholders from golf members and unit owners formed Rockley Golf Lands Inc. The course is now leased under the name Bajan Golf Associates. Over 100 years, Rockley has weathered many ups and downs, evolving from a swamp to one of the island’s most cherished golf destinations.
The centenary year is packed with tournaments and celebrations, including a new book, The Story of Rockley Golf, researched and written by Rockley Captain Clarence Hiles over three years. The book chronicles 100 years of history, including photographs and stories of those who shaped Rockley into the club it is today. It is a must-read for any golf enthusiast or anyone connected to the club.
