Twenty years is a long wait for a tee time, but it takes real patience and plenty of vision — plus a substantial bankroll — to finally see that drive blast down the first fairway of your own dream golf course. Puerto Rican tennis stars-turned-developers Stanley and Charlie Pasarell had all three, in spades, and now their dream is not only reality, it’s on track to world Top 100 status.

Built with environmental sensitivity and a flair for drama by the Pasarell brothers and architect David Pfaff on a sumptuous tropical bluff on Puerto Rico’s northwest corner, Royal Isabela is, even in its rough-around-the-edges youth, a stunner. It’s been open for a while by invitation only and has a private club complement, but as the first of 20 luxury resort villas open this summer — easily accessible via regional flight into nearby Aguadilla Airport — it’s ready for its debut on the big stage and enjoying a tailwind of juicy word-of-mouth praise.

**READ VIC WILLIAMS' BLOG ON ROYAL ISABELA**

Every gushing review is warranted. Composed of two very different nines that rose from the rumpled earth with very little heavy equipment interference, the course conjures one “oh my God” comment after another.

The front side dives and swerves through inland canyons with the occasional tantalizing view of the deep blue sea a couple hundred feet below — think Pebble Beach with palm trees. No. 6, nicknamed “Yogi Berra” (Fork in the Road), is a true conversation piece, playing as either a par 4 (one of the toughest you’ll ever see) or par 5 depending on which route you take after the tee shot, while the somewhat contrived No. 9, an island 3-par, finishes off a relatively flat, watery stretch.

The Pasarells save the true visual and strategic thunder for the inward nine, which by turns elicits thoughts of oceanside heavyweights like Bandon Dunes, Cypress Point and Old Head. It moves quickly to the cliffs and stays there pretty much for the duration. Holes 12 and 14 share a huge L-shaped green complex, while the par-3 17th plays 200 yards from the tips over the abyss to a two-tiered green that hangs on the edge for dear life. Your tee shot will, too, if you’re lucky. A final uphill hole takes you home to hard-won comfort and reverie.

The Pasarells plan to build another nine down on the beach, but even now, Royal Isabela is a must.

www.royalisabela.com