About
Charlie played in what was, until 2010, the longest match in Wimbledon history in terms of games played—a grueling 112-game match in 1969 against the 41-year-old Pancho Gonzales that lasted over 5 hours and included extremely long sets with scores like 22-24 and 16-14.
Charlie Pasarell's involvement in golf course design is a significant part of his life beyond tennis. After his successful tennis career and tournament promotion endeavors, he turned his passion toward golf and land development, particularly in Puerto Rico. Alongside his brother Stanley, Charlie co-created the Royal Isabela golf course, which opened in 2008 in a stunning location perched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in northwest Puerto Rico. The brothers acquired the land after seeing its potential from a helicopter in 1989 and meticulously worked to preserve its natural beauty, moving minimal dirt and integrating the course seamlessly with the landscape.
The golf course at Royal Isabela was designed in collaboration with architect David Pfaff, known for his work with Pete Dye & Associates. The design aims to be like a "links course in a tropical location," combining challenging play with breathtaking ocean views. The Pasarells took a hands-on role in the development, carefully crafting the layout while respecting the environment and local trees, which they regarded as sacred. The course features unique holes and requires caddies due to its complexity and blind shots. The Royal Isabela development also includes plans for multiple golf courses and luxury accommodations as part of a larger master-planned community called Costa Isabela.
