Golfing in Costa Rica
February 3rd, 2012 | by admin |
Costa Rica has a number of golf courses across the country set on beautiful scenic backdrops. The first one was created in 1944 outside San José at the exclusive Costa Rica Country Club, a 9 hole folf course that remained the only one for the next 25 years. In 1970 the first 18 hole championship golf course was designed by George Fazio, and today this 6,590 yard long world wide class golf course known as Cariari Country Club is considered one of the best in Central America. Located outside San José and closed to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, Cariari Country Club is accessible for golfers who chose to stay in Valle Central. Also in the Central valley, not far from San José City lays Valle del Sol, a beautiful 18 hole golf course sorrounded by garden settings, small lakes and streams on almost every hole. An excelent place to view Irazu, Barva and Paos volcanoes, Valle del Sol was designed by golf architect Tracy May.
It is no wonder that the tourist boom in the 90′s brought the construction of golf courses to the minds of entrepeneurs. New projects were developed on the pacific coast by world renown designers such as George Fazio, Robert Trent Jones II, Ron Garl, Ted Robinson,
Mike Young, Arnold Palmer and Tracy May. Guanacaste is today home ofm the largest number of golf courses in the country, for golfers to
enjoy also the beauty of the landscape.
One of the projects developed during this boom was Garra de leon Golf course, a magnificent 7,030 yard coastal golf course set on a well said the most luxurious golf and beach resort in Central America. This golf course was designed by Robert trend Jones II.
Located just outside of Tamarindo Beach, Hacienda Pinilla Golf and Country Club holds the 18 hole championship style course designed by
Mike Young, an exciting 7,274 yard coastal layout golf course. Nearby, in 1997 was completed the Royal Pacific Golf & Country Club designed by Ron Garl on a variety of natural settings from steep fairways and to rocky layout. Further south there is the Los Sueños Golf course opened in 1999 designed by Ted Robinson. Natural beauty is the relevant characteristic of this incredible golf course bordered by ocean and rainforest.
In the Four Season’s hotel in northern Guanacaste, there is this spectacular golf course currently available for hotel guests only, conveniently located in one of the best Costa Rican hotels.
Besides the original Costa Rican Country Club, there are several 9 hole golf courses in the country. Los Reyes, a tree-lined course in
the San Jose area is a private well maintained club that allows guest to play at very reasonable prices. To the east of San Jose, there is
an executive golf course, ideal for practicing short par 3′s. Finally, to complete this golf vacation, there is another golf course at the Playa Tambor Beach and Golf Resort, offering great views of the surrounding pacific coastal area.
By Diana Wilson
