GOLF IN RIO
Minty Clinch checks out options near Rio, including the brand-new course built for the 2016 Olympics – the first time the Games has included golf for more than a century
1 THE OLYMPIC COURSE
WHERE IS IT? 40km west of Rio. WHAT’S IT LIKE? The expense involved in building a venue for the first Olympic golf tournament since 1904 was widely criticised, not least by Rio’s existing clubs, which wanted to stage it themselves. Environmentalists reacted because part of the course is in the Reserva de Marapendi nature park, but the project was greenlighted on the understanding that it would become Rio’s first public golf course, a boost for a game that has been restricted to those who can afford private members’ clubs.
The layout occupies gently undulating land near the ocean in the suburb of Barra da Tijuca, home to the Olympic Park, the main stadium and the athletes’ village. Its 15 competition venues include swimming, cycling, tennis and athletics. The golf course has been designed by American Gil Hanse, best known in the UK for the course at Castle Stuart on the Moray Firth in Scotland.
The land has been reclaimed, with two large artificial lakes as the centrepiece for fairways, greens and thick rough, but the real challenge lies in the south Atlantic winds. Purists hope they’ll blow up a storm to test the world’s finest golfers come August. CONTACT Avenida das Americas, Barra da Tijuca; rio2016.com PRICE Not yet available. FACILITIES 18 holes, par 71, 6,522m (7,133yds); golf academy, driving range, practice area, putting green.
2 ITANHANGA GOLF CLUB
WHERE IS IT? 25km south-west of Rio. WHAT’S IT LIKE? This exceptionally welcoming private club was established in 1933 by President Getulio Vargas, Brazil’s longestserving political leader, first as dictator from 1930 to 1945, then as elected president from 1951 until his suicide in 1954. He set up Itanhanga as the antidote to Gavea (overleaf), known in those days as the “Englishman’s Club” and, therefore, unacceptable to a dedicated nationalist.
A passionate, if indifferent, golfer – his handicap was 30-plus – Vargas took time out from his programme of industrialisation and social reform to play on a flat course laid out in the imposing shadow of Devil’s Rock. Nowadays, 10,000 trees shed 30 billion leaves a year, a daunting task for greenkeeping staff. Coconut palms dominate, but mangos provide protection from the sun and a succulent snack from November through New Year.
The river that snakes among the fairways is at its most menacing at the Three Twins, par fours at seven, eight and nine with water to the left that wreck many a promising card. CONTACT Estrada da Barra da Tijuca 2,005; tel +5521 3883 8323; itanhanga.com.br PRICE Championship course, weekdays R$300/£56, weekends R$425/£80; nine-hole course, weekdays R$180/£33, weekends R$245/£46; caddie (compulsory for visitors) R$100/£19 plus tip; buggy R$150/£28; club hire R$150/£28 for 18 holes (brands include Callaway, Taylor Made and Titleist). CLUB HOURS 6am-7pm. Visitor tee times available on weekdays and at weekends after 1pm. MAXIMUM HANDICAP 32 FACILITIES Championship course, 6,695yds, par 72; nine-hole course, 2,840yds, par 36; driving range, putting green. AFTER THE GOLF The spacious clubhouse has a terrace with seating overlooking the 18th green, and serves an international menu. There’s a large outdoor pool, plus the only polo club in Rio.