By Alexander Britell

It’s no secret that Caribbean golf is on the upswing — from new PGA tournaments in places like Punta Cana and more new courses from top designers.

And now there’s another new hotspot in the Caribbean golf scene: and it’s at the region’s southern edge.

This is the Conrad Cartagena, and the new five-star property on the Caribbean coast of Columbia has become a new destination golf resort.

The 268-room Conrad is set in the luxe Karibana development, whose centerpiece is the spectacular TPC Cartagena.

TPC Cartagena is the first outpost of the Tournament Players Club in South America, the collection of PGA Tour-approved golf courses that include some of the world’s best.

The Nicklaus Design, 7,000-yard, par-72 track is a links-style course, with superb ocean views and a challenging but fair layout that will reward low-handicappers and duffers alike.

The facilities are also outstanding, with a pro shop, driving range and a broad short game area.

That’s because the TPC brand means something — a kind of professionalism and quality that is rare in the golf industry, Caribbean or otherwise.

A room at Conrad Cartagena.

And then there’s the hotel itself: the kind of large, modern rooms for which the Conrad brand has become famous, along with a spa, seven restaurants and bars; four swimming pools and a beach club.

There are also regular shuttles back and forth from Cartagena’s magical old city.

It all adds up to a new destination golf resort in the Caribbean — and one of the region’s hottest new places to stay, period.

For more, visit Conrad Cartagena.

— CJ