The Caye Chapel development group held a press conference on that island on Thursday, November 12, 2015 where the developers shared the news of golf legend Greg Norman adopting and re-designing the Caye Chapel Golf Course as part of the proposed development project on the island.
Last year December, it was announced about the sale of Caye Chapel to a Mexican group that already has resorts in North Ambergris Caye, Playa del Carmen and Acapulco. Not much development has taken place over the year since the announcement, but after yesterday’s press release with Greg Norman and special invited guests that included the First Lady of Belize Kim Simplis Barrow, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment Tracey Taeger-Panton, among other Ministers and Ministers of State, momentum has started in what developers say will be a first class luxury resort that will open many great doors in the tourism industry for Belize.
Greg Norman is an Australian professional golfer and entrepreneur and renowned in the golfing industry for his reputation in designing many of the best golf courses in the world. He spent 331 weeks as the world’s Number 1 ranked golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking in the 1980’s and 1900’s. It is this fame and status that Greg Norman will bring with his development and branding of the Caye Chapel golf course that Belize officials believe will bring huge benefits in the tourism industry.
Greg Norman will build a world-class golf course on Caye Chapel’s already developed 18-hole golf course. Developer Jaime Fasja states that the island resort will undoubtedly be a mandatory destination for the most important and renowned golfers in the world. The project is being developed by three top Mexican groups with an investment of over $250Mil on the first phase of the project.
“One step closer to materialize a luxury resort,” stated Jaime Fasja. “Thanks to the collaboration of Greg Norman in the design in which undoubtedly be one of the striking golf course in the world. Caye Chapel will be the most exclusive and spectacular tourist destination in Central America.”
Fasja states that there are more than nine different luxury brands interested in being part of the project at Caye Chapel and that they will be selecting the brand that best suits the development. The coming year will be dedicated much to planning and designing with construction expected to commence by the end of 2016.
During the event both Hon. Manuel “Juniour” Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Hon. Tracey Taegar-Panton, Min. of State Investment expressed their confidence in the project in creating opportunities for many Belizeans and having a return on the investment for the developers.
Norman says he has visited Belize for diving and tourism many times over the last 27 years and that his priority with the design of the Caye Chapel golf course is to protect the environment.
“We work extremely closely with the developer, with the land planner, even with government officials to make sure that the impact is zero and that the outcome is something where people will come to Belize to experience what Caye Chapel is all about,” stated Greg Norman. “Mother Nature has given Caye Chapel a beautiful place to be and you only have to fly in here to look at it.”
Once completed Caye Chapel will be home to a high end resort featuring, over-water bungalows, the Greg Norman designed golf course, branded beach-front residences, marina, private airstrip and a world class spa.
“The resort will be nothing short of wow,” commented developer Abraham Roffe who owns El Secreto in North Ambergris Caye.
Initial design of the over-water bungalows at Caye Chapel
Greg Norman with Belize’s First Lady Kim Simplis-Barrow at Caye Chapel
Related Article: Mexican Luxury Hotel Development Group Purchases Caye Chapel
