Fortune Hills Golf & Country Club is located in the heart of Grand Bahama’s native pine yard in Lucaya. Well away from the hustle of the resort areas, and downtown, this quiet course offers a taste of what makes Grand Bahama such a gem. The saying goes, "Variety is the spice of life" and in Grand Bahama guests and locals can take advantage of the fun and excitement of Port Lucaya, Junkanoo Rush-outs during Summer Junkanoo in the International Bazaar, weekly Fish Fry and any number of shows, concerts and blockbuster movies. The other options for those seeking peace and quiet include, secluded beaches, parks, kayaking and horseback riding…..then there’s golf.
The drive into Fortune Hills Golf and Country Club puts you in a different frame of mind, you begin to exhale. Fortune Hills Golf Course was constructed in 1969/70 and opened in 1971. This 9-hole course was designed by Joe Lee and Dick Wilson, who also constructed the Lucayan, Shannon, Ruby and Emerald Courses throughout Grand Bahama, and is considered to be quite challenging. This semi-private course boasts a snack bar, Pro Shop and Practice facility on premises. The toughest hole is the # 3, and the easiest is the #4. Fortune Hills also has some of the largest greens in The Bahamas, with rolling hills and elevated greens.
The original intention was for the course to be a full 18-holes, but plans were down-sized. According to Walter Kitchen – Fisherman, not golfer – Developer and Operator of the Golf Course, "The smaller size makes it more intimate and laid back." Kitchen goes on to comment that "Winter residents spend a lot of time on the golf course, and Fortune Hills has a large number of local members. Upper class and business people, quality members who play mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. This is a place where you walk in and people know ya’. We cater to locals. This is a nice 9-hole course; it’s as good as, or better than others. Lots of people enjoy playing the second 9 holes on the same course. They use a different tee, the white tees are used on the first 9 and the blue tees are followed on the second 9."
According to Walter Kitchen, his wife Pat is the golfer in the family. "She enjoys the beach and loves golf". Today Mrs. Kitchen has the biggest assembly of women golfers on the island. Fortune Hills also has a large and very active Golf Association. Not being much of a golfer I took a stroll along a part of the course, it is truly stunning, enough so to inspire a non-golfer like me to give it a whirl. The area is so serene that you easily forget that there is a bustling resort area within a 10 minute drive. Players smile and wave as I look on and they all seem to leave the course in a good mood, "not that we played particularly well," comments one long time member, "but just that it feels good to be here." I have to say that I agree with him, it did feel good just being there.
Walter Kitchen is a native of Grosse Point, Michigan. Kitchen, a member of a family of builders, came to Grand Bahama in 1967. He remembers joining the family business in 1946. He never completed High School and joined the Navy at the age of 17, serving in Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Philippines during World War II. "Somewhere along the line I spent four years at trade school and became a qualified carpenter. We were building custom homes all around Grosse Point, and after a few years we finally ran out of Gross Point lots." This lucky businessman went on to talk about striking oil in West Virginia. "We had this farm in West Virginia, hit a gusher, and quickly bought two adjacent farms. We had about 50 acres drilled and hit 34 of 38 drilled wells."
During this time, Kitchen along with his brother and other partners, established a company to develop and build a golf course, and homes in Grand Bahama. There was lots of land available when Kitchen arrived. "I came down first and the others were supposed to come after one year. It’s 36 years later, and I’m still waiting. We were going to build 240 apartments and the 18 hole golf course. We built the first apartment with water from a well with a generator. There was no electricity or water service in this area back then." A total of 50 apartments were built and the golf course went to 9 holes.
Being a success in the golfing world, you would think that that would be enough for this 78 year old with the infectious grin and witty sense of humour. But, Walter Kitchen is also a true fisherman. Upon meeting him, Mr. Kitchen states, "I don’t golf….I fish." He has caught over 7,000 wahoo and tagged and released more than 160 Billfish. His love for fishing is seen in the name choice for his 53 foot Hatteras sport fisherman (boat) Ono Chase (Ono-Hawaiian for Wahoo). As if he is not busy enough fishing and running the golf course, Kitchen has a small side business manufacturing custom lures. Walter Kitchen is an International Game Fish Association Representative for the last 25 years.
Not letting his age hinder his activities, Kitchen also operates a Charter Fishing Boat business called VIP Charters Ltd. Guests can hire Captain Walter Kitchen to take them out onboard the Ono Chase with it’s air-conditioned salon and all modern electronics. Options include daily fishing or cruising charters, Family Island trips and tournaments. All tackle, bait and ice is provided, and the vessel can accommodate up to six people.
The Fortune Hills Golf and Country Club is one of Grand Bahama’s treats, like finding water in an oasis, it is a welcome surprise. To plan your visit or to reserve your Tee time, contact Fortune Hills Golf and Country Club (242) 373-2222 or (242) 373- 4500.
