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Colombia-golf

Columbia: Home to a Tiger rival
By Charles Briscoe-Knight
...and the world's second highest golf hole

Camilo Villegas - a hero in Columbia
Not only is the languid and athletic Camilo Villegas the new kid on the block challenging Tiger Woods in the US Masters next week but his South American homeland of Colombia is fast-emerging as a freshly-discovered golf destination to savour.

While the capital Bogota (pop 8.2 million) is well known to rival London in size, less well known is the fact that there are some 20 golf clubs within a 40-minute drive of its centre.
Children queue to have Villegas' former coach hit balls from a tee in their teeth

Villegas, however is a native of its second city Medellin (pop. 3.5 million) and despite the attraction of its footballers, Villegas has become a cult hero - especially after making his name on the US PGA Tour.
On his frequent home visits he hangs out at the local Club Campestre Medellion (opened in 1924), where he set down his roots in junior golf on the club's nine hole course on the slopes of upscale El Pobladdo.

It was here he first took lessons from Rogelio Gonzales, a flamboyant, extrovert golf teacher who coaches hundreds of potential Camilos in his golf academy.

One of his best pupils is a nine-year-old girl, who hits draws and fades to order and pitches and chips like a veteran. Those 'Korean Kim' girls had better watch out!

And the kids have so much faith in Gonzales, they'll queue up to have him hit golf balls from tees clenched between their teeth!

Typical of golf in Columbia - Campestre Manizales

While it was here that the young extravagant Villegas practiced its sister club Llanogrande - about 45 minutes out of town near the new airport - is where the young superstar played his early competitions and wehere the Colombia's President Uribe spends his off-duty hours.
Built in 1987 its polo field doubles as practice ground and the water ski lake provides an extensive hazard for golfers.

Villegas recently reduced its par 7,044-yard par 72 to a 13 under par 59 course record, including a single putt eagle two at the par-4, 377-yard ninth hole.

Close by and avoiding the gun-toting security guarding the President's luxurious home - lies shabby chic Sede Macarena, part of the Rodeo Club Deportivo opened in 1973, and currently undergoing refurbishment. It's a tough course on undulating land with a river flowing through the low-lying holes and demanding a 200-yard carry to the par-4 14th green - probably the most intimidating Stroke Index 8 hole I've ever played.
The world's second highest golf hole at La Cima near Bogota sits at 9,800 feet

Probably Colombia's most famous course is La Cima which at over 9,000 feet lays claim to be the world's second-highest golf course (behind La Paz GC in Peru at 10,800 feet).
Up the mountainous road and round many hairpin bends Bogota's public gem translates as 'The Peak' and was created in 1971 by Mark Mahannah from Florida and has since been refurbished by Boris Socoloff to sweep up through the clouds to the par-4 fifth at an altitude of 9,800 feet.

The spectacular land then swoops and plunges - occasionally demanding unbelievable carries to blind fairways and greens - through air that's 12-15% thinner than at sea level. Even the compulsory, resident caddies here get out of breath

While La Cima is undoubtedly Colombia's highest course St Andreas (built in 1945) is its oldest. It oozes class and tradition with it colonial clubhouse and was one of Robert Trent Jones Snr's earliest creations. His 'Cloud'-style bunkers are in abundance along with huge Augusta pines.

Colonial-style clubhouse at San Andreas

But you have to travel to the Coffee-growing Cali area of the country to find the longest hole - the 710-yard par-6 eleventh hole at Farallones, fashioned by current head pro Luis Herrera.
Though daunting to most of us one Carlos Rodriguez (playing off a two handicap) once laid claim to an incredible albatross three when he holed his third shot with a 4-iron, despite the presence of water threatening every shot from tee to green.

Hopefully the exploits of Villegas are over-shadowing the perceived dangers of visiting Colombia a country whose reputation for political unrest and dark deeds is undeserved in my experience.

The people I met were friendly and hospitable and there's distinct “feel good” factor in both Colombia - a nation proud to promote its golf heritage.

Before we left we visited the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy and were thrilled to to see the remarkable skills of his young pupils dedicated to becoming the next Villegas. If anyone is to challenge Tiger, they might as well be Colombian!

By BillBigD on Mar 31, 2009, 21:43 in Friendly Talkzone.

drvannostren says on Mar 31, 2009, 22:25:

I was kinda wondering if Golf was popular in Colombia, I'd heard about Villegas before, but in the month or so I've spent in Medellin total, I'd never really heard mention of golf or really seen any equipment in the big store, not that I've been looking for it. Are there golf courses just on the outskirts or do they even exist outside Bogota despite it's weather? Can they find enough flat land to build one!?

No matter where you go, the Korean tour bus isn't far behind.

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webmanco says on Mar 31, 2009, 23:22:

No only outside of Bogotá, but inside Bogotá. Villegas is for sure helping Golf in Colombia.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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BillBigD says on Apr 1, 2009, 04:35:

I saw a segment on ESPN Deportes and they showed some beautiful courses in Colombia.

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billyb says on Apr 1, 2009, 07:10:

Try the Campestre in Cali course, it is a beauty.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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Escape Artist says on Apr 1, 2009, 07:13:

Has anyone played the Macarena course up by Rionegro and if so can you give us a report?

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Simon says on Apr 2, 2009, 00:20:

"If anyone is to challenge Tiger, they might as well be Colombian!"

Hell yeah!!

Let's go Camilo!!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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aztec says on Apr 3, 2009, 12:34:

Check under Clubes Y Campos. You will find links to some of the more prominent golf clubs along with telephone numbers. Some even have web sites listed.
http://www.federacioncolombianadegolf.com/

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el_canuck says on May 18, 2009, 10:04:

I found this forum about golf in Colombia. It might be interesting to someone. For some reason I have this impression that in Colombia is very exclusive and expensive. If anyone has first hand information about the procedures for getting to play and the costs I would appreciate it. The next time I come to Colombia I would like to bring my clubs.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=688190

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christobeldawg says on Aug 23, 2009, 20:21:

This is a topic I would like more detailed information on, as well. Golf is generally considered to be only for the rich there, but I did go to La Cima, and except for having to pay caddies, it is public course, and membership and prices seemed not too high. It's about 30 minutes outside Bogota, and is over 9000 feet elevation. When I was there, it appeared one would be playing in a rain cloud most of the time, but it was very lush, reminded me of a links type Scottish course. Someone mentioned that there was a decent public course in Bogota but I didn't get a chance to check it out. I think the name of it was something like La Florida. Have no idea what it takes to play the private clubs, or what it would cost to be a member. Anybody know anything more on this? As for me, it was a stumbling block when I was thinking of relocating there, that along with losing half my savings in the stock market, because I now play in the US, alot, at a local low priced public but well kept and always interesting course.

traveling hopefully is always better than arriving

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christobeldawg says on Aug 23, 2009, 21:05:

For example, is there a decent course that I could play regularly in Bogota for 1000-1500 dollars a year? Surely, somebody here has dealt with this issue.

traveling hopefully is always better than arriving

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christobeldawg says on Aug 23, 2009, 21:45:

Apparently not, guess I need to call Villegas on this one.

traveling hopefully is always better than arriving

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pavo says on Aug 24, 2009, 05:35:

Hey Christobeldawg.
I have to the scoop.

Public Courses include La Florida(9 holes), La Cima(18 holes), Briceño Golf Club(9 holes and building another 9) and Bogota Golf Club(9 holes). Bogota Golf Club is probably the best course as it started out with the idea of being a private club and went public.

Private clubs are abundant and there are many different ways to play private clubs. Many clubs will allow their members to rent out their membership if they are going to be out of the country for a long period or are having financial problems. You basically assume the monthly cost of the membership which in general comes to around a million pesos a month after all is said and done. This included green fees, facilities and eating within reason. Caddy fees are additional.

I recommend you call up the clubs and talk to the general manager and tell him you are in Bogota for a year and are interested in such a setup. They will give you a day pass. Try to make friends who will invite you to a round while you are at the club. It´s pretty much a networking situation and if you get a round with a member, they will know who is renting out their membership.

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christobeldawg says on Aug 24, 2009, 07:43:

Thanks much Pavo.

traveling hopefully is always better than arriving

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