Costa Rica: A Quiet Piece of Paradise
PHOENIX, AZ (Dec. 10, 2001) – For all the political and civil unrest in Central America over the past 20 years, a golf trip to this volatile region may sound about as enticing as mountain climbing in Afghanistan.
That is, unless your destination is the diminutive, exotic, tropical, affordable, and most importantly, neutral, country of Costa Rica. Major golf destination? Probably not, what with six golf courses in the lineup and a couple more in the works.
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But major is overrated, don't you think?
If there is an untapped golf retreat of the Western Hemisphere, it's Costa Rica. The exchange rate will have you living like a king, the scenary is unmatched, and the country's small sampling of golf courses goes beyond respectable. Moreover, Costa Ricans – Ticos as they refer to themselves – dote over American tourists, and not once during your visit will you feel out of place, uncomfortable, or in the least bit intimidated.
Unless its standing on the first tee of one of Costa Rica's oceanside layouts.
The Lineup
Golf is a relatively new endeavor in Costa Rica, where eco-tourism has reigned supreme for years. If you want to play the course where it all began almost 29 years ago, head to Meliá Cariari in San José and tee it up at the George Fazio-designed Melia Cariari Country Club.
Melia Cariari Country Club is a par 71 layout, and was the first 18-hole facility to open in this bucolic country. The course is sits on an old coffee plantation, and is a shot-makers delight with its tight, tree-lined fairways. The course, built on hilly terrain, plays to just over 6,500 yards from the tips, but is still well respected as one of Costa Rica's most challenging tracts.
By law, Costa Rica is required to set aside one quarter of its land mass for nature preserves and National Parks – American environmentalists drool as the prospect. As you can imagine, the country's beautiful, sometimes rugged coastline is a target of a great deal of this legislation.
Robert Trent Jones Jr., known for his ability to craft memorable
courses within the context of strict environmental laws, was hired
by the Spanish hotel chain Meliá to build a 650-acre seaside
resort and golf course along the Pacific Coast in Guanacaste Providence.
Melia Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort was the project that emerged from the commission, and it may be the only golf course in the world that can claim monkeys in play. That's right, monkeys. Jones was not permitted to hack down any of the properties Banyan trees, which are, incidentally, home to the indigenous Howler Monkey. If you think sinking a 10-foot putt to win a skin in front of three playing partners is nerve-racking, try draining a long roll in from of Cocoa the monkey.
The course was built over a period of four years and according to many writers and players, is well positioned to become the best layout in the country. At just over 6,500 yards from the blue tees, Melia Playa is not particularly long, but the humidity of Costa Rica keeps distance in check by taking five to ten yards off each club.
If you want to shape shots and carve out doglegs, then Melia Cariari Country Club is your bag. If you enjoy a wide-open golf course that is as receptive to a driver as the locals are to “touristas,” then Melia Playa will be more to your liking.
Far be it from golf course architect Ron Garl to be left out of the Costa Rica golf fray. Garl, born and raised in Florida, is no stranger to warm weather and big game fishing, and Costa Rica has the best of both worlds.
Garl put his stamp on the Costa Rica golf scene with his design at Royal Pacific. The front nine at Royal Pacific is relatively flat and quite scoreable. A number of the holes on the walk out follow a river that borders the western edge of the course.
If you didn't get enough of the Howler Monkeys at Melia Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort, you'll get your fill here. The back nine plays through steeper geography and overall,
is significantly tighter than the front.
Ted Robinson Jr. doesn't get the hype of a RTJ Jr. in the golf course design world, but the guy can flat out build a golf course. Robinson designed Shiloe, site of the 1998 PGA Championship, and with Los Suenos (the dreams), he has given Costa Rica yet another new track it can be quite proud of.
Los Suenos is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on one side and rainforest on the other. If you can honestly keep you mind on scoring, more power to you. The course is also endowed with a number of old, majestic trees that are not afraid to come into play. Los Suenos is one of the few courses you'll find that offers forecaddies – guides that help you manage you golf game based on their knowledge of the course. In typical Costa Rican fashion, they are paid according to their helpfulness on the course.
Stay
The Los Suenos Marriott sports a beachfront hotel, marina, yacht club, the championship golf course, and the beach. The setting is unrivaled anywhere in the country. For more information or reservations, call the U.S. number at (506) 290-3311.
Don't Forget
Some rain gear. Costa Rica is tropical, after all, and sunny days can turn to stormy weather faster than a par turns to bogey on a tough par 4.
