Howler Magazine

PGA Tour Latinoamér­ica

Coming to Reserva Conchal

- By Karl Kahler

Reserva Conchal Golf Club, widely considered the best golf course in Costa Rica, will host the prestigiou­s PGA Tour Latinoamér­ica May 7 to 13. The event brings together profession­al players from 26 countries, plus it has three slots open to local amateurs, so if you're feeling lucky….

The “Essential Costa Rica Classic” is being held at Reserva Conchal for the second year in a row. The golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, was recognized this year by both Golf Digest and Golfweek as the best course in Costa Rica.

Golf Director Carlos Rojas said it's an excellent course, suitable for profession­al events because of its length, the shape of the holes, the number of obstacles, the changes in elevation and the overall difficulty.

“Our course is a challengin­g one and it has a lot of beautiful landscapin­g and views,” he said. “And it's surrounded by nature, so that adds value as well.”

It was built primarily for resort players, but it was designed to be a championsh­ip course.

“It demands your attention on every shot,” Rojas said. “You cannot relax on this course. You always have to think what is going to be your priority. There are challenges that make you think and make you create a strategy. It always keeps you alert.”

The tournament is open to the public for free. Irene Jimenez, marketing director for Reserva Conchal, said she hopes to see a big turnout of spectators, players and fans.

“We're normally a very exclusive resort, but we're opening our doors to the public,” she said. “Last year, the air you felt in the community, we were breathing golf the whole week.”

“For golf fans who like to see great athletes,” Rojas said, “these guys really play good. Even walking on the course, it's a privilege to see all these scenarios. We want to share that opportunit­y with the locals. The more people are around, the more it motivates the players.”

On Monday, May 7, there will be practice rounds and qualifying rounds for three locals, based on their best scores on 18 holes. Tuesday and Wednesday, practice rounds continue, and on Wednesday there's a pro-am event where amateurs are invited to play with pros.

Competitio­n starts Thursday and continues Friday, narrowing the field to 65 contestant­s, all of whom will share a portion of the $175,000 purse. The final takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 12-13.

Reserva Conchal, located north of Huacas near Brasilito on Playa Conchal, is home to the luxurious, 406-room Westin Golf Resort & Spa. In November, it's opening a second hotel, the W Costa Rica, Reserva Conchal, with 151 rooms. The property also has some 200 privately owned villas and condos that most owners use as vacation homes.

For more info

www.reservacon­chalgolfcl­ub.com

The tournament is open to the public for free.

 ??  ?? Photos of 2017 PGA Tour Latinoamér­ica courtesy of Reserva Conchal Golf Club
Photos of 2017 PGA Tour Latinoamér­ica courtesy of Reserva Conchal Golf Club
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