golf, uruguay, where to play, what to see, where to stay, information

URUGUAY
Carmelo, best resort in South America?

- Where to play

Uruguay counts two golf courses in Montevideo, Golf del Cerro and Golf del Uruguay; one at Frey Bentos (Rio Negro); three around Punta del Este : Cantegril Golf, Golf del Lago and La Barra Golf Club and, last but not least, the Four Season Golf resort at Carmelo,

.- at Carmelo, the Four Seasons Golf Resort

This championship 18 hole course par 72 is the most recent in Uruguay but it is already ranked in the best South American courses at the highest level with the Buenos Aires Golf Club, host of the World Cup in 2000. In fact there is a family likeness between the two courses.

First the architects and designers. Robert Van Hagge designed the Buenos Aires Golf Club with Kelly Blake Moran as lead architect who has worked on the Carmelo project with Randy Thompson who has been a former assistant to Bob Van Hagge. Secondly, even if they are on the opposite sides of the Rio de la Plata, they are located on the same low and wet sites with pampa grass and sandy hills rise from the low land for residential homes and for the club-houses from where golf holes can easily be viewed. And both designers and architects have used ponds and wetlands to make the courses’ drawing more attractive for golfers.To be honest, Carmelo golf course is a little more forgiving for amateurs (at the drives only) than the Buenos Aires Golf but nevertheless it is a very exciting experience.

At Carmelo, there are only two holes (1 and 10) away from any water hazard danger but bunkers or love grass replace it at the good landing places! Some are very spectacular like the par-3 hole-7 or the 12-13-14-15 and the 9th and 18th finishing before the club-house. A special mention for the 12th which is a 90° dog leg right with water on both sides! Balls are available at the pro-shop!

A lot of bird species are omnipresent on the fairways, in the pampa grass bushes or on the ponds where some raccoons can also be seen early in the morning or late in afternoon and some wild horses graze quietly on the opposite side of the water at hole-5. The course has been so naturally designed and integrated in the natural environment that it seems that the land has always had this form and shape.

The large club-house (150 m²) has also a large outdoor deck overlooking the course where to enjoy drinks and fine snacks. The pro-shop provides golf equipment sales and rental. Electric golf carts are available for seniors. The driving range is nearby the club-house and the shuttle brings the residents to the door of the Four Seasons Hotel on the other side of the road, along the Rio de la Plata on the outskirts of Carmelo..

The little town of Carmelo sits on the quiet banks of Rio de la Plata. The town and resort are very reachable from Buenos Aires via a short flight or a fast ferry (1 hour by Buquebus). And it is easy to play the Buenos Aires Golf Club while staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires.

Before the club-house, the greens of the holes 9 and 18 are

across the water

as the par-3 hole 7 or

the hole 9

Very convivial club-house.