Photos courtesy of Esencia Image Gallery
http://www.gogolfandtravel.com/locations/all-others/cuba/cuba-golf-history
June, 2010
Golf has been played in Cuba since the early 1900’s. Ben Hogan and Sam Snead enjoyed visiting the island to play. In a publicized 1940 purse game Snead competed against Cuban National Champion Rufino Gonzalez. Arnold Palmer and other greats played the PGA Havana Tournament in the 1950’s.
A dozen or so golf courses existed when Castro assumed power in 1959, four in Havana, including two Donald Ross jewels, the Havana Biltmore Golf Club and the Country Club of Havana, which for eleven years was a PGA Tour stop.
Varadero Golf Club, now Cuba’s only 18-hole course, opened in 1998. The well maintained 6,856-yard, par-72 is a delightful routing that meanders amid tropical vegetation with finishing holes along the shoreline. Canadian golf architect Les Furber’s design took eight years to build. It provides multiple tees and ample fairways that accommodate both novice and accomplished players.
While primarily level, there’s some undulating terrain throughout the combination parkland and links style layout. The near ubiquitous sea breeze can both cool and challenge. Selected holes present views over the Atlantic and up the coastline beaches. Practice bunkers, putting and chipping greens, a multiple-bay covered driving range and rental clubs are available.
Overlooking the 18th green, beach and ocean is a clubhouse bar and grill, a fitting watering hole to taste a cool traditional cubata, Cuba libre, mojito or island brewed Cristal and Bucanero beer.
“Most of the 36,000 rounds played at the golf club in 2009 were by international tourists, many staying at nearby hotels,” said Pedro Klein, the affable resident PGA pro known by everyone as Chopy. “There are a growing number of Cuban golfers who regularly visit and play here. Some are very good.
“We began last year to replace all turf grass with Paspalum, a hearty salt tolerant variety well-suited for our local conditions. It will allow using salt-water ponds on the property for irrigation.”
Britain’s Esencia Hotels and Resorts CEO Andrew Macdonald was in Cuba for the 2nd Annual Montecristo Cup at Varadero Golf Club. The three-day event presented by Palmares, attracted players from Europe, Canada, Japan, Cuba and Kazakhstan. The field competed for the Esencia Cup, a two-person best ball competition on April 23, and The Montecristo Cup, an individual stroke play tournament, on April 24. Cuban golfers won both events.
“The strategy of golf development is key to tourism efforts in Cuba. It is also a principal goal of Palmares,” said Sandino Fernandez, Deputy Director at Palmares. The government-owned business group has developed more than 1,000 non-hotel projects in Cuba, including Cabaret Tropicana and restaurants Bar la Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita- two Hemingway haunts– as well as Varadero Golf Club. Palmares is the leading supporter and developer of golf in Cuba today.
Habanos, the world’s leading premium cigar company and its Montecristo brand was the main sponsor of the event, along with Cuervo y Sobrinos watches, Air Europa, Zodia Golf Clubs, Elie Bleu humidors and Floridita Travel.
The event was co-managed by Palmares and Esencia Hotels and Resorts. The 2011 Montecristo Cup will be held April 14-17 at the Varadero Golf Club. For more information and photos visit: www.themontecristocup.com.
Esencia’s CEO Macdonald, with a group of investors, was at the future site of its $300 million proposed project in Varadero. The plan integrates Carbonera Country Club, a boutique hotel, commercial center, villas and residential housing development. Bob Hunt of the UK’s PGA Design Consulting Group is devising the golf course layout. Ecencia’s Varadero venture is one of eleven pending final Cuban government approval.
“We have signed agreements to create a chain of boutique hotels throughout the country in cooperation with Gran Caribe Hotel Group. In partnership with Palmares, we are also working on the development of golf courses and golf resorts in Cuba,” said Macdonald.
Renowned Canadian golf course architect Graham Cooke participated in both the Esencia and Montecristo Cup events. In addition to an eminent career as course designer, Cooke was a 2010 inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, having won more national golf titles than any other male Canadian amateur.
“I’m here to play a little golf, enjoy the weather and support Esencia’s effort to build a golf course in Cuba.”
Graham is working with Canadian investors to develop a golf course community in Holquin Province.
PGA Tour player Álvaro Quirós García was also on hand. The 27- year old Spanish sensation, then ranked 31st in the world, won the 2008 Portugal Masters and 2010 Spanish Open the week after visiting Cuba.
“Being open to people worldwide coming to Cuba to play golf is important to the fulfillment of the sport. It is also important that support is given to many people in Cuba to play, practice and participate in golf. Golf will be an Olympic event in 2016. Cuba should seriously look at and prepare for golf as they have done with other sports- baseball, boxing, track and field,” said Alvaro.