The Tribune

Celebrities flocked to Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma this past weekend for an exotic getaway and golf for a good cause.

The team at Sandals rolled out the red carpet for their famous guests, who came to take part in the Sandals Emerald Bay Celebrity Getaway & Golf Weekend, hosted by Sandals Resorts and Access Hollywood. The Special guests included TV personality Billy Bush and golf legend Greg Norman who designed the golf course at Emerald Bay.

In addition to Billy Bush and Greg Norman, an impressive gathering of celebrities included Garcelle Beauvais (Franklin and Bash), actress and Access Hollywood Live co-host, Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete (NFL), Alan Thicke (Growing Pains), Mad Men’s Kevin Rahm, Ray Donovan’s Steven Bauer, RHOC’s (Real Housewives of Orange County) Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley, Hairspray’s Marissa Jaret Winokur and Mayte Garcia (Army Wives). They arrived on the island, thanks to generous sponsorship from American Airlines and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

The three-day event kicked off with a Junkanoo Beach Party, featuring a live Junkanoo rushout and a fire and limbo display by limbo legend, Action.

On Saturday the guests had some leisure time to enjoy Sandals Emerald Bay’s Red Lane Spa, after which they were whisked out on an Island Routes Caribbean Adventure tour where they swam with Exuma’s famed aquatic pigs.

The celebrity golf tournament at Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course designed by Greg Norman, was highlighted by the much anticipated “Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shootout” that allowed five of the best golfers a chance to shoot a hole-in-one for a $1 million donation to the Sandals Foundation. Greg Norman’s shot pulled closest to the hole, but in the end nobody hit the hole-in-one.

The evening culminated in a gala dinner and awards ceremony that included a decadent dessert buffet.

“We were thrilled to host such a fabulous weekend for our celebrities and other guests,” said Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International.

“And to welcome our friends at Access Hollywood back to host this golf weekend along with legendary golfer Greg Norman, who designed the spectacular Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club, a true golfer’s paradise, and who is an ideal partner for our brand. We hope everyone had a great weekend!”

When all was said and done the team of Greg Norman, Holly Sonders, Rodney Peete and Greg Norman Jr won the tournament. There was a tie for the runners up, with the team of Billy Bush, Alan Thicke, Steven Bauer and Lewis Henderson, and the team of Kevin Rahm, Robert Lusetich, Jason McCoy and Kevin Froemming, showing each other fierce competition.