Welcome to Grenada (The Spice Island) and the Grenada Golf Club!

Located in the southeast West Indies with the Atlantic Ocean on the east shore and the Caribbean Sea on the west shore, the island country of Grenada lies in the Eastern Caribbean between Trinidad and Tobago to the south and the Grenadines to the north.  Grenada is the southern-most end of the Windward Islands.  Today, Grenada is an independent constitutional monarchy with a Grenadian Prime Minister as Head of Government and Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as Head of State.

The first known inhabitants of Grenada were the Arawak speaking Amerindians from the Orinoco River Basin in South America who arrived to the island in 500 B.C.  In 1000 A.D., the more warlike Kalinago people, who spoke another Arawak derived language called the Carib, arrived from South America displacing these earliest settlers.  All remained quiet in Grenada until it was spotted and mapped by Christopher Columbus who claimed the land for the King of Spain during his 3rd voyage to the New World in 1498.  In 1649, the French settled in Grenada and after 5 years of conflict, the Kalinago people were all killed or driven off the island.  In 1762, England invaded the island and after more than 200 years of British rule, Grenada became an independent country on February 7th, 1974 (Independence Day) making it one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Many Americans may still remember the United States invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) headed by President Ronald Reagan on October 25, 1983 which was to rescue U.S citizens living in the country and to uproot the recent oppression of the Grenadian people.  At that time, the newly formed military backed government, with Marxist-Leninist views, quickly established close ties with the Communist regimes of Cuba and Russia.  A swift and potent force of 6,000 U.S. troops along with our Eastern Caribbean Ally soldiers were sent to the island to rescue American students & citizens living in Grenada and to liberate the country.  The conflict resulted in 20 American and 60 Cuban and Grenadian soldiers killed during the encounter.  By November 3rd, 1983, the invasion was over and hostilities ended with the United States and its’ Eastern Caribbean Allies declaring an overwhelming victory in a very short time by wounding and capturing an additional 697 Cuban troops.  In just a few weeks, the People’s Democracy was reestablished with free and fair elections.  All U.S. troops left the country in December 1983.  The invasion of the island on October 25th is now celebrated by Grenadians as a national holiday called “Thanksgiving Day!” (Sound familiar?)  The story of the invasion and liberation of Grenada was highlighted in the Hollywood movie “Heartbreak Ridge” starring Clint Eastwood.

Grenada was formed roughly 2 million years ago by an underwater volcano and is comprised mainly of Grenada (itself) plus 6 smaller islands which lie to the north of the main island.  The main island is 12 miles wide and 21 miles long of very mountainous rainforest terrain covering an area of roughly 120 square miles.  The island’s volcanic origin has produced extremely rich “young” soil perfect for growing spices and fruit.  Grenada exports nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice, cocoa, orange/citrus peels, and a variety of fruit.  In fact, Grenada is one of the world’s leading producers of nutmeg and mace along with organic cocoa grown in the rainforest.  Grenada’s cocoa is believed to make the best dark chocolate in the world!  Spice production has such a meaning to Grenada that they have the nutmeg fruit and seed positioned on the left side of their national flag.

The food in Grenada is heavily influenced by the sea along with the natural organic farms spread throughout the countryside and deep into the rainforest. Enjoy lobster, crab, barracuda, grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, tuna, and conch caught by local fisherman in some of the cleanest ocean waters of the world!   All the land choices are available as well.  The food in Grenada is derived from the ancient French, English, Carib Amerindian, African and Indian roots of the island.  Taste the foods of many cultures from around the world in one spot...Grenada!  While on the island, a visit and tour of one of the many rum distilleries is more than interesting!  View how fine rum has been made from pure sugar cane for hundreds of years.  Sugar cane is grown throughout the island for both natural uses (household sugar) and to make rum.  Make sure you take a bottle or two of these special spirits back home with you to share with your family and friends who love this ancient beverage. The rum produced in Grenada is definitely considered the highest quality in the world!

Today, Grenada is very safe (strict English based law) and its’ friendly people exhibit high etiquette regardless of their social status on the island.  Proper salutations are expected!  In fact, you would be considered rude if you didn’t start and finish a conversation with “Good Morning, “Good Afternoon”, “Good Evening”, “Good Day”, or “Thank You...Have a Good Day” when speaking with a local Grenadian.  Communicating and navigating throughout Grenada is very easy as English is the official language of the country.  Commerce is very easy as well as you can use either U.S. or Eastern Caribbean dollars or all versions of credit cards throughout the island with the exception of the street vendors and a few smaller rural communities in the countryside.  These rural communities, who only take U.S. or E.C. cash, are located primarily in the rainforest or the far northern areas of the country.  Driving in Grenada is tricky and on the left side of the road due to the British influence.  The roadway lanes are very narrow to a single lane at times where you will have to stop and let others pass by before you continue on your way.  If you are uncomfortable driving a rental car in this environment, Grenada offers inexpensive and convenient mini bus and taxi service to all locations on the island.  Just lift up your hand when one of these small buses or cabs drive by every few minutes and they will stop wherever you are and help you get safely to your destination or back to your hotel in a quick manner so you are able to catch one of the amazing sunsets from your resort.  The drivers will also give you special facts about the island which will be helpful as you design you next day’s exploration adventure in the country of “Pure Grenada”!