(The 180 yard eleventh offers amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and Desecheo Island in the distance.)
Punta Borinquen opened in 1940 as part of Ramey Air Force Base. It had the honor of hosting President Eisenhower. Then in 1960, Fred Garbin remodeled the course, adding several hundred yards. 
(The 418 yard fifth has a mound directly short of the green. It will push any approach to the right. Note the color of the sand and how it contrasts vividly with the greens and yellows. Also notice how the sand is encased by high mounds. It gives it a three dimensional look from the fairway.)
Garbin did most of his courses with James Harrison, but Punta Borinquen was a solo effort. Large sloping greens are one of his features, however, the bunkering caught me by surprise.
I've seen this style before, but I always thought it was James Harrison's. It has such a distinctive look, especially from the fairway, and one knows exactly where the trouble is, even on the uphill approaches.
The best stretch of golf is the sixth thru the ninth.
(The 352 yard sixth has a gorgeous view! A central bunker in the middle of the fairway forces a decision from the tee...
...most golfers will have this short iron shot into the green.)
(The 525 yard seventh is reachable in two...
...the last 100 yards is all downhill. Any ball left of the green will have a challenging pitch over the bunker. Laying up to position in this pic leaves a good birdie opportunity too.)
(The 180 yard par three eighth is superb hole! It's uphill over a scrub filled gorge...
...the view looking back towards the tee is awesome! I think it's one of the original holes because the green has a different shape to it, sloping back to front at an angle.)
(The ninth is the showstopper! Here the old gun turret base is next to the tee...
...it's only 348 yards so most will have this view uphill to the green...
...the reward at the green is this incredible view! The Atlantic meets the Carribean Sea about here. Off in the top left corner where the land just out is Rincon...
...looking back to the ninth tee. Does it get any better than this?!)
Being on a high promontory above the ocean, the wind is typically a factor. (Even though it was calm when I played it both days.) There is plenty of width off the tee and the greens are open in the front to run the ball onto the putting surface. One may have to play to a particular side to access the opening, but it is available.
(The 539 yard tenth plays downhill and then back uphill. A deep barranca crosses the fairway short of the green. The player must layup, or hit a piercing shot to carry it.)
When Ramey Air Force Base closed, this became the first public golf course in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, there are still only a few public courses. There are plenty of resort courses, but they charge good money, so beginners and lower income players don't have many choices. In San Juan, Rio Bayamon, a little course, is another option.
(The ocean is in view on nearly every hole.)
There are some drawbacks at Punta Borinquen. There was no starter both days I was there. I was told they have one on the weekend when it's busier. Also, the course was laid out on rocky ground, so the terrain gets very firm. I personally like it like that, but for folks who like a lush course, they will be disappointed. The greens are Bermuda grass. They're fast, but they're also bumpy. The course is not about perfect conditions. It's about growing the game of golf, bringing people to the game, giving the locals a place to play, and it's about having fun. This place is an absolute blast to play! Management makes do with what they have. So one must understand the climate the course is in.
(The 430 yard eighteenth is the toughest hole on the course. It doglegs left with OB on the right. Most architects would've put the green just below the big oak, but Garbin pushed it to the left, so it slopes hard right to left. A high cut or a low scampering draw can find the putting surface. It's one of the hardest to putt on too.)
(View looking back towards the tee. Note how a high fade must avoid the outreach of the branches. What a strong finishing hole!)
The last time I had this much joy playing golf was when I played Pacific Grove in Monterey. Both places are on very special property, and at a very generous price. I give Punta Borinquen a 6 (very good)(worth driving 2 hours to play). I would definitely take the trip from San Juan! If the LPGA wanted to invest a little money, they would have a great venue, for say, Ladies Puerto Rico Open. It's a thought.
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