The Abaco Club on Winding Bay

Great Abaco, Bahamas

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 Originally developed by Peter de Savary in December 2004 during the Bahamas boom in resort-style development, The Abaco Club was one of the few that survived the planning stages during the financial crisis. After being affiliated with the Ritz-Carlton destination club and eventually being acquired by Marriott Vacation Worldwide Corporation in '08, this high-end private sporting community is starting a new chapter with Southworth Development. Southworth Development, an internationally recognized developer and manager of residential resort communities, announced last Dec. 11 that it acquired The Abaco Club on Winding Bay from Marriott Vacation Worldwide in an all-cash purchase, in partnership with a consortium of members and residents of club. The acquisition is the second former Ritz Carlton-managed community purchased by Southworth. The first was Creighton Farms, a private Jack Nicklaus-designed golf club and residential community located in Northern Virginia, which Southworth acquired in 2009. "We have found the perfect partner in Southworth," said Michael McCormick, spokesperson of the Abaco Club homeowner consortium. "Their track record of investing in and developing world-class communities offers us a real sense of security that The Abaco Club on Winding Bay will become the pinnacle of barefoot luxury in The Bahamas. Southworth's 20-plus-year track record speaks for itself, and we are delighted to be joining with them to make an already special place even more desirable." Located in Great Abaco, The Abaco Club on Winding Bay is one of the world's great sporting clubs, with residences that rival the finest in any island setting. The club features over two miles of white-sand beach; a highly acclaimed tropical links golf course, which has been consistently ranked as one of the top courses in the Caribbean by Golfweek; tennis; a wide range of water sports, world-class bone fishing, deep-sea fishing and boating off Abaco's famed shores and surrounding islands. Southworth is planning a multi-million dollar renovation of the existing facilities which will begin immediately. In addition, a new state-of-the-art golf practice facility will be added, along with a new marina and boathouse. "The Abaco Club has everything money can't buy," said David Southworth, President and CEO of Southworth Development. "It's a gorgeous setting, with a well thought out master plan and a passionate membership. It's a perfect complement to our existing properties and we look forward to taking this world-class facility to an even higher level." Real estate offerings start at $375,000 for 1-bedroom, 650-square-foot cabanas and go up $3-$4 million for ocean-view estate lots. The Right Honourable Perry Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, said: "We welcome Southworth Development's involvement in The Abaco Club on Winding Bay and look forward to working with such a renowned group. Renewed interest and long-term investment in the property will benefit Great Abaco and The Bahamas in the form of increased home building, tourism and jobs. "