Every Wednesday, Elizabeth Armstrong takes guests on a nature tour of the Buccaneer. There seems to be nothing particularly unusual in that until you realize that she has more than an idle interest in the history, flora, and fauna of this resort on the island of St. Croix. Her family has owned and operated the resort for more than 50 years, and as general manager she is now the third generation of Armstrongs to hold that position.

What was originally an 11-room hotel on a 17th-century plantation estate has evolved into a 340-acre resort with 138 rooms, suites and cottages, three crescent-shaped white-sand beaches, eight hard courts (two with lights), an 18-hole golf course, and a small spa and fitness center. Yet it has never lost its personal touch. Guests may no longer help rake the beach, as they once did, but they do feel very much a part of the resort.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 340-773-3036

Tennis director Don deWilde has run the tennis operation at the Buccaneer since 1978. It isn't hard to see what keeps him here. The tennis complex occupies a prime location: a terraced hillside just below the hotel overlooking the beach. Its covered wooden deck is a favorite place to gather after playing for the views of the Caribbean and on very clear days the islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. "You can play tennis here 365 days a years," says deWilde.

On any given morning at the Buccaneer you'll hear the thwock, thwock of tennis balls and may look out to see nearly all of the eight courts in use. Some of those players will be hotel guests, who have first priority; many, however, will be local members for whom this is their home club. That combination ensures a stable of players for guests looking for games and generally improves the turnout for the various weekly programs scheduled during the busy winter season. And it has another advantage, according to deWilde: "A lot of our guests come specifically for the tennis, knowing that they'll run into some of the same guests year after year or meet up with the same local players," he notes. "A lot of lasting friendships begin on our courts."

Tennis Staff. DeWilde attended William and Mary on a tennis scholarship and captained the team and then took a job teaching tennis at the Williamsburg Inn while working on a Ph.D. in child psychology. He interrupted those studies when an opportunity arose to run the tennis program at what was then the 600-room Holiday Inn in Freeport, Bahamas, and then a second operation at the Howard Hughes-owned Xanadu. When the Bahamas declared independence from Britain in 1976, he was forced out but had grown to love the islands so much he decided to look around at American territories in the Caribbean. In 1978 he took the job at the Buccaneer on a trial basis expecting to stay a year. Instead he never left.
"What makes this unique is the interaction between hotel guests and locals," says deWilde. "I have a local membership I can call on for game matching. After more than 20 years here I know every single player on the island. A lot of lasting friendships are made between guests and locals."
Tennis Programs. Game matching and private lessons are staples of the tennis operation. Those are, however, supplemented by a variety of weekly tennis events (during the busy winter season), including a ladies' doubles round robin, men's open doubles draw, a ladies' drill session, and a men's B and under doubles. A ball machine is also available.
Pro Shop. Spacious and air conditioned, this well-stocked pro shop sits on the upper terrace in the center of the court complex. In addition to a good selection of clothing and equipment, it offers on-site restringing and a variety of beverages (including beer) for sale. A covered wooden deck at one end looks across the lower terrace of courts at the beach and water beyond.
Courts & Fees. There are 8 hard courts (2 with lights) arranged on two terraces cut into the hillside below the main hotel and above Mermaid Beach. They have benches but no shade and only the lower bank has water on the court itself (if you're playing on the upper bank, the nearest water is a refrigerated fountain on the deck of the pro shop). Court fees: $16/hour.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Buccaneer.

• "Our vacation at the Buccaneer was one of our best ever. We have been to numerous tennis destinations and were thrilled with the tennis program at the Buccaneer. We took private lessons and attended clinics. The best part was the private lessons with Don de Wilde. He is an excellent and thoughtful teacher and coach. The tennis program at the Buccaneer was exactly what we were looking for."—R.B., Int., July 2008

• "I've been going to St. Croix at least once a year since 1986. Every time I go, I play at the Buccaneer at least once per day. Like the weather, it's consistant. The club pro, Don DeWilde, has been giving me pointers for over twenty years. He's become a personal coach and a good friend. The Pro Shop is pristine and has everything a player would need: If your bags didn't arrive, no problem. The local players are extremely friendly and welcome any new comers.
  I'm heading there tomorrow morning from MA and plan to spend a lot of time there. My advice would be that you do too."—B.O., Adv., May 2008

• "My family and I recently vacationed at the Buccaneer. The courts have been resurfaced and are in terrific shape, but the staff lacks enthusiasm and did not make the tennis inviting at all. Game matching consisted of post it notes on a board, mostly locals, hard to figure out. Very few drill sessions, only two a week, and only one round robin each week as well. Dissapointing."—S.T., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Have stayed at the Buccaneer a number of times, most recently March 2008.This is a world class resort with outstanding tennis facility.Eight newly resurfaced courts, several available for night play. Long time pro Don DeWilde and his staff offer a variety of individualized and group instruction, game matching with locals and other guests, etc. In my opinion, one of the top three carribbean destinations, with tennis facilities that will not disappoint the serious player. Not inexpensive, but delivers excellent value ."—S.Z., Adv. Int., April 2008

• ""—D.M., Int., April 2008

• "The new courts, just resurfaced in summer of 2007 are immaculate and include the beautiful backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Court availability is never a problem, and two courts are available for night play. The pro gave us fabulous private lessons, and he runs various programs for guests as well as locals - round robins, tournaments, clinics. These are the best courts we've played on in the Caribbean Islands."—E.T., Int., April 2008

• "The Buccaneer has the best tennis program that I know of in the Caribbean. Its courts are beautifully located and, with their new surface, play as good as any. What really sets them apart, however, is Don deWilde - the tennis pro. He is an excellent teacher and has an uncanny knack of finding the perfect partner for players at all levels. He really makes a tennis vacation fun!"—J.C., Int., April 2008

• "Excellent facility newly refinished courts. Great pro and lovely people. Love to play here whenever I am on the island."—P.G., Int., April 2008

• "The Buccaneer seems to go from strength to strength adding terrific updates while retaining those things that make it our favorite tennis resort. The newly resurfaced courts are a dream to play on and the new equipment is fun. Don de Wilde, the Pro, maintains a relaxed and oompetitive atmosphere that is friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to go back!"—T.N., Low Int., April 2008

• "The Buccaneer Resort's tennis facility overlooks the gorgeous beach and sparkling carribean water. It is only steps from all the rooms of the resort. The 8 hard courts are well maintained and busy with both resort guests and local players. There always seemed to be courts available, though. A doubles clinic, cardio tennis, and a round robin are offered during the week in addition to private lessons. Lessons times should be booked in advance, if possible. Don deWilde gives great lessons and they book up quickly.
  The Buccaneer is a fantastic vacation destination with great activities for all ages, lovely rooms, gorgeous beaches, and one of the friendliest staffs I've encountered anywhere."—S.W., Low Int., April 2008

• "Don de Wilde and his staff go way beyond guest expectations to make their tennis experience memorable. The crispness and claritiy of Don's teaching style makes improvement easily possible.
  Don's patience with children, and his ability to make their time together fun leads to terrific self esteem building. His tennis operation is first class through and through."—L.P., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "We had an excellent tennis experience at The Buccaneer during early March 2008. The courts are in perfect condition. The setting is beautiful. The tennis staff is skilled and accomodating. We took private 'training' sessions with pros who also arranged challenging matches with 'local' players. We definitely plan a return visit."—L.S., Adv. Int., April 2008

See Also

If you're contemplating a Caribbean tennis vacation, you also ought to look at:

• Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI
• Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
• Curtain Bluff, Antigua
• Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Nevis
• The Tryall Club, Jamaica

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Year-round.

Buccaneer
P.O. Box 25200
Gallows Bay
St. Croix, 00824-2100 U.S. Virgin Islands
340-712-2100
Toll-free: 800-255-3881
Fax: 340-712-2104
Web Link: The Buccaneer

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Book Online: The Buccaneer

 

Travel Instructions. Two airlines serve St. Croix from the U.S. mainland: American Eagle and US Airways, making stops in St. Thomas or San Juan, Puerto Rico en route. However you can fly to St. Thomas or St. Croix on any of several other major carriers and then make connections to the half dozen or so commuter airlines connecting St. Croix with other Caribbean Islands.

General Tourist Information. For detailed information about the island of St. Croix, contact the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association at 800-524-2026. For general tourist information, contact the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism at 800-372-USVI or visit its offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or Washington, DC. Among other things, it publishes a brochure that outlines rates at resorts, hotels, and inns on St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas.

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