Hurricanes, Rain, & Golf Gournament In Nicaragua On The Horizon?
Wait did someone ask about golf today? I am sorry Greg! You and your buddy will have no golf today we have had just too much rain! Last Night alone the rain gauge registered 4 inches of rainfall!!! In fact I have had the golf course closed for the past week and it does not look any better for golfers or surfers with three hurricanes on the Atlantic and Caribbean. Whilst these hurricanes are on the other coast it does affect Iguana immensely with rainfall. For some reason the storms on the other coasts bring in a tail effect of rains thereby causing us to shut down. Our resident engineer Juan Carlos called me this morning to say he would not be making it into the project, as the river is just too high and not passable! This is the earliest heavy rain I have seen in late August and early September. Just check out these amazing waterspouts, which tell us how dangerous it can be out here for the months of September. Remember October is yet to come! So while I sit stuck out here I decide to move forward and plan for Golf!
"But Ulrik you did say there would be golf!" Yes I did! It is now set, Hacienda Iguana's Golf and Beach Club 2nd annual golf tournament benefiting the Iguana Children’s School! The dates are set for Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of November 2008. Last year we had over 80 people in attendance with 50 golfers of all skill levels along with 5 professionals and this year we anticipate approximately 70 golfers and around 100 attendees! While Iguana has double in condos and homes since our last tournament we are anticipating a full house so space will be limited. Please reserve your spots now by calling Humberto Sanchez at humberto@haciendaiguana.com or calling (505) 855-7906. IF you cannot attend we are still taking donations and sponsors. Hopefully two major liquor distributors will take part this year! We already have commitments from Costa Rica teams!
We have already seen Dexter make a hole in one.... can someone repeat that task this year to win a golf cart, will some out drive last years longest drive champion Tim Baker, and will Team Vamos hold on to defend there title as tournament winners or will there be a new team from Costa Rica to take the trophy across the San Juan river? Will Ulrik keep the worst golfer trophy or does he get to hand it off to someone in his class? All these questions to be answered soon....we look forward to seeing you very soon!
First Hole In One In Iguana Beach, Nicaragua!
A big congratulations goes out to Dexter Wilson for the first hole in
one at Hacienda Iguana Golf & Beach Resort!
On Saturday August 2nd 2008, who would have thought that Dexter would
sink it for his first time for the first Iguana hole in one on hole
number six!
"I saw the ball land on the green and roll towards the hole then it just
disappeared!" witnessed Humberto Sanchez. Later when asked how many
rounds of drinks he had to fork out Dexter replied, "I had no idea I had
to buy drinks....I thought I would win a golf lot or something.... today
I am broke! Does Tiger have to treat players when he wins?"
All laughter aside, I am truly jealous of this young mans talent and
determination. Maybe some day when I am good and old, I will be able to
tell my kids, "Yeah not only your grandfather made a few holes in one,
but so did your dad.... and oh uh yeah a young Dexter Wilson, Bar and
Restaurant Manger of Don Eloy"s in Hacienda Iguana made the very first
hole in one in Iguana!
CONGRATULATIONS DEXTER!
Restaurant in Iguana Beach Now Open!!!
Don Eloy’s Nica Bar y Restaurante is now open and bustling at Hacienda Iguana, Nicaragua.
Don Eloy’s is decorated with Nicaraguan cultural items and provides full restaurant and libation services.
Don Eloy’s welcomes you to join Dexter Wilson Bar and Restaurant Manager, Holvin Hurtado Head Chef and the rest of the Staff for an enjoyable drinking and dining experience.
Don Eloy’s Bar is fully equipped and the Restaurant provides daily menus with a variety of Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and Entrees.
So come and enjoy the atmosphere at Don Eloy’s.
Open daily from Noon till close
We are not at home on Tuesday
For more information or reservations email us at don.eloys@haciendaiguana.com
Or call
(505) 421-9191
INAUGURAL HACIENDA IGUANA PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT
Long over due has been Hacienda Iguana’s Blog! So many exciting things have happened over the past three months. Here how it all went:
The first month since June 19ths last Blog, I went to Cancun Mexico for Phillip Jenning’s Turf Grass seminar held at The Moon Palace Resort. Attendees were from all over Latina America and the Caribbean. Dr. Ronny Duncan was the expert lecturing on Paspalum Sea Grass. The seminar was very informative and educational. I had to ride in a golf cart from the reception to my room. Better remember the name of the building you are staying in or you will get lost. Mine was La Pina next to El Mango…. nice room but lacking that personal touch which I have come to love about our homes here in Iguana.
After that week of turf management training, I was off to Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas for a tradeshow promoting tourism to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. I made some great contacts for both Hacienda Iguana and our sister project in Costa Rica, Flamingo Marina Resort.
Following the tradeshow, it was off to Europe for some time off, rest and relaxation. England and Denmark were my two destinations. Whilst I enjoyed the Phantom of the Opera in Piccadilly Circus, I quickly discovered my Dollars, Cordoba’s and Colones were not going to carry me very far; so, it was a quick exit to Copenhagen. There I was able to unite with friends and family that I had not seen in over a decade!
Upon my returns to Hacienda Iguana, I noticed many improvements to the golf course in terms of plants, flowers, and even wild life! It was nice to be home at last. Unfortunately, for most of the month of August, Iguana and all local V-Sat systems were down with Internet. I was told many stories but the most important one to me was we are now back up and running for the past two weeks with some minor glitches!
So many of you have written to me asking for Iguana updates and I appreciate your patience. So here is what has been happening…
1. Don Eloy’s Nica Bar Y Restaurante is days away from preliminary opening. Jim tells me that he will have drinks, lights snacks, and hoagie sandwiches for the first week and in about three weeks the full service menu up and running. They will even offer delivery service to all homes and condos inside Iguana. He mentioned that is why they have a golf cart and a Blackberry cellular phone.
2. The Super Market has been sold and will hopefully be open in December. They will offer breakfast and even grocery delivery service to your home or condo in Iguana. Your grocery list can be ordered online and delivered to your place and in your refrigerator before you even arrive!
3. The first town house in Villa Las Colinas is complete and the punch list has been done. Furnishings are underway and should be complete in 10 weeks.
4. The first residential unit in Plaza El Pozo was completed last week and is ready for rentals!
5. Roofing on Villa Rio Dulce Condos has commenced and grey work completion is scheduled for Oct 15th, 2007.
The school has been completed, painted and is ready for furnishing and supplies. With that being said, I am proud to announce the following…. INAUGURAL
HACIENDA IGUANA
PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT
PRESENTED BY:
BENEFITING THE IGUANA CHILDREN'S SCHOOL
*FRI-NOV.30 17:00: MINI-CLINIC FOLLOWED BY PAIRINGS PARTY @ DON ELOY’S
*SATURDAY-DEC 1ST:
2 SHOT GUN STARTS—TEXAS SCRAMBLE
FOLLOWED BY GOLF CLINIC AND TRICK SHOT SHOW BY PGA CHAMPIONS TOUR MEMBER—STEVE THOMAS & SUNBELT SENIOR TOUR MEMBERS----GREG HAYS, JAVIER SANCHEZ & DERRE OWSLEY
AWARDS CEREMONY & DINNER TO FOLLOW @ DON ELOY’S
TEAM PRIZES*LONG DRIVE & CLOSEST TO PIN CONTEST*DOOR PRIZES*REFRESHMENTS
For tickets please call:
855-7901
Or email us at:
info@haciendaiguana.com
Golf, Good Weather, and Good Things at Hacienda Iguana Golf & Beach Club
Rainy season has finally come to Nicaragua. For the month May Iguana received 10.5 inches of rain. Just last Friday night we received 1.3 inches and of course lightning knocked out two cellular towers which was repaired in two days. One cannot complain that the weather Gods have been on our side. During the day time mostly sunny and cloudy in the afternoons to squeeze in a cool round of golf. While I sit here and bring you Iguana Beach updates I look out my window and see four golfers saddling up for a cool round of golf. Rains have been mostly at nighttime! So many things going on that here are a few things worth mentioning:
1. I am told “Don Eloys Nica Bar Y Restuarante” is ahead of schedule and is probably ready in August. Furniture is already arriving and windows are days away from installation. Here is a picture celebrating the roof going on the restaurant with both the founder and owners.
2. The roof for the public school is going on. I am told that inauguration is likely at the end of July!
3. Iguana has four resident touring professional golfers. They have been winning a few tournaments and we are planning for a golf school clinic in August.
There names are:
Greg Hays--Sunbelt Senior tour, Florida Senior Tour
Steve Thomas--PGA Champions Tour, Sunbelt Senior tour, Florida Senior Tour
Javier Sanchez--Sunbelt Senior tour, Florida Senior Tour, Tight lies Tour
Derre Owsley--Sunbelt Senior Tour--PGA member
John Mcgough--PGA Champions Tour, Sunbelt Senior tour, Florida Senior Tour
4. Plans are underway for two golf outings. One will be for all realtor friends of Iguana. The other will be for a fundraiser for the public school. More details to come in the follow update.
5. Ground breaking for the Garage Storage Units, called “Garondo’s” commenced three weeks ago.
6.As we turned over the “Old Clubhouse” two weeks ago we held our final employee party at the old Clubhouse honoring Nicaraguan Mothers day by having a wonderful spread. Furthermore, plans were approved for the New Beach Club at Rio Colorado! We are awaiting final bids and expect to commence construction within a month’s time.
7.Villa Las Colinas first townhouse (#1) will be complete within six weeks and we have sold the top unit and have begun the permitting process for all the units now.
8.Cable TV is now being installed all over Iguana so as to bring better channels and also more variety and of course at a lower cost.
9.Membership ID cards have been ordered and for those members in good standing on Property Dues and Golf Course Memberships will receive their cards in a few days.
10. Iguana has begun construction on the main entrance and on plans it looks fantastic.
11. Villa Rio Dulce is now on the fourth floor. We have two full time cranes working away!
Public School underway for Iguana Beach Nicaragua!
Dear Iguana Reader,
I have been blogging about all the progress at Iguana, but for me the best update for me is to announce Iguana's public school received its permits from the Tola Municipality yesterday! The land, labor and materials are coming from the developers of Iguana! The school is to be located inside of Iguana's two main security guard gates. Juan Carlos Brenes, Iguana's Resident Engineer, tells me that ground breaking is to commence in the next 10 days! The supply shed is done and we await the heavy equipment to put the terrace in.
This week 15 more electric golf carts arrived: four carts for the golf course rentals, one six passenger cart for touring the project and ten private carts with full extras! We now have enough carts to host a full golf tournament…call us en we will arrange your very own personal private tournament!
Today we had a visit of 24 university students that are studying tourism from the Universidad National de Costa Rica in Liberia! Yes, Costa Rican students studying tourism came to visit Iguana. Iguana raises the bar once again!
On another note our second Flamingo trip was a success! Friends from Playa Flamingo came up to see Hacienda Iguana Golf & Beach Club for their first time. Although no golf was played, the course and differing projects were toured. All little bit of poolside BBQ-ing was done and even Jacob got in a surf session! Thanks for the visit Flamingo…next trip is Iguana’s turn to come down and share good company.
New Family Member & More!
Iguana is proud of its latest family member and addition….”Mixty” This young colt was born Tuesday April 2nd 2007. Isabella named him “Mixty” due to his wide assortment of colors!
Cellular communication is now a reality in Iguana! The tower is up and running, since last week! HOWEVER, a word to the wise, if you are going to buy a cellular phone from Enitel, make sure your phone has both bands of 850 & 1900. I found out the hard and long way! My phone was working fine in Managua (1900) but not out here in Iguana (850). My best recommendation is get one that has all 4 bands incase you want to use it in Panama & Costa Rica with the Roaming feature.
The new practice putting green is now in at the wooden clubhouse! Jose has been extremely busy with now more and more regular golfers! He adds, “We are seeing more and more regular rounds be played from owners and renters from our condos, we even have outsiders coming in. The second group of golfers is headed up from Flamingo this Thursday!” Well done…. Jose!!!
Owners will be glad to know that our bi-annual interior road maintenance has commenced and will be done from Iguanas first main gate and all interior roads as well.
