Everybody knows
A little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go
And get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo
Beach Boys

In the 1988 song “Kokomo,” Aruba and Jamaica received most of the attention as the exotic destinations to “get away from it all.” At that time, Turks and Caicos Islands were the Caribbean’s best-kept secret. Today, this scattering of 40 islands and cays, nestled approximately 30 miles (48 km) southeast of the Bahamas is fast becoming the retreat of choice for those seeking relaxation. Amid a tranquil setting of ultra-blue water are miles of beach and easy access to top-flight golf.

Vacationers head for the turquoise water of Turks and Caicos’ renowned Grace Bay Beach.

The islands of Turks and Caicos, eight of which are inhabited, are the polar opposite of the hectic lifestyle many vacationers seek to escape. They are also home to Grace Bay Beach, one of the world’s most spectacular stretches of powdery white sand surrounded by turquoise water.

About one mile (1.6 km) inland from Grace Bay is Provo Golf Course. Built in 1992, Provo is the perfect trifecta for vacationers who like fairway green with their white and blue.

Provo, named after Providenciales, Turks and Caicos’ most inhabited island, is the area’s only golf course. This unique oasis is a 6700-yard (6126 m) tract of Bermuda grass, trademark pearl white sand, and home to an occasional pink flamingo. Provo is a delicious dessert after sampling Turks and Caicos’ main entrée of unending beach and picture-postcard water.

For those who find the links to be a quiet refuge from the pressure and problems of the real world, playing 18 holes at Provo is the golf equivalent to floating on a water mattress while sipping rum punch.

On the back nine tension can literally be felt flowing from the body. The score becomes secondary to absorbing the quiet golf environment and taking in the sway of the palm trees serving as a backdrop to most greens.