I came across the following article, regarding Golf in a little-known South American Republic, in one of our European Golfing Publications. Could anyone shed any light on its contents or has anyone ever played any of these courses?
Golf in El Pedlara by Avril Hinkwood
My husband and I have just returned from our bi-annual sojourn in the beautiful countryside of El Pedlara. Despite the obvious natural attraction of the beaches and the quaint local markets, we usually attempt to spend as much time as we can on the many high-quality golf courses in the area.
There are a large number of these courses lying within easy driving distance of the Main Resort – Toromerdea - which I shall concentrate the majority of this report on. For ease of listing, they have been arranged in strictly alphabetical order, unlike the usual, rather tiresome, American method of over-evaluation and irrelevant ranking.
Arco Iris – a beautiful, tree-lined course rather in the Robert Trent Jones style. Long ‘runway’ style elevated tees play to immaculately manicured and well-irrigated fairways bordered with exotic plant species and ample tree planting.
Arela – a down-market, subtle and rather quiet unspoilt course yet with delightful cart path design and green complexes with sloping contours which stimp at something around 13 or 14.
Ayudín – A Course with the most exquisite Clubhouse.
Blanquita – Great clouds of Bougainvillea surround every tee, green and landing area here, further serving to emphasise the ‘natural’ feel of the course.
Ceracol – A ‘links-style’ course near one of Toromerdea’s nudist beaches. The bunkering here is sublime, although can often be used by sheltering nudists on occasion. Slicers beware!
Sani Fleur – A floral fantasy indeed! The waft of the local sewage pumping station can often be experienced here. The course should only ever be played in a strong south-westerly gale.
Emperatriz – ‘The Kingdom of Trees’ as its name suggests. Every known sub-tropical species has been planted here by the Owner, Jaime O’Dowell – the son of the nightclub owner, Seamus – a noted local drunkard and bon viveur!
Lestoil – The Jewel in the Crown of El Pedlara’s golf! A recent re-design of a little-known Donald Ross design. The new work outshines the original completely, with subtle tree planting, the addition of numerous water hazards and out of play waste areas. The finishing touch is the splendid 250-seater theatre at the 9th hole which continuously shows Spanish-subtitled classic golf movies, such as El Caddyshack, Follow El Sol and, my favourite, El Copa del Tina.
Límpido – A rather insipid 70s design which is routinely slated in the world’s press and on some of the more knowledgeable websites.
Los Conejos – A Monster requiring ‘los cojones’ to play! (Wish I had some!)
Lustrillo – Delightful, yet irritating. An opening par 3 is quickly followed by 3 par 5’s in a row, all into the prevailing wind. Fairway positioning is at a premium here as the majority are maintained at US Open width. The rough has been allowed to grow to quite ridiculous length. Why, it’s almost THREE inches long in places! I am calling my friends at the R&A as this article goes to Press.
Pinoluz – The Penultimate Course on our Tour and, quite frankly, not worth the wait. Pin positioning is extremely loose here, hence the name.
Sello Rojo – Sello Rojo? Sello Rojo? Why, I wouldn’t even Buy-o Rojo! Over-priced, no Carts, No Cart Girls, no Shoe Cleaners, nothing! Only solitude, free-draining soil, contoured fairways, crinkly-edged bunkers, too well maintained, too well cut greens. Why, I’d have been as well remaining in Europe!
What do you make of that then?
FBD.