Hello,
Great topic. I am sure that Randy can give greater insight to the technical attributes of the course, but I have a lot of knowledge about the course. Recently, I was priviledged to purchase from the club the only surviving copy of Alister Mackenzie's blue print for the club, with it all the rights to use them. I first played the club in 92, and was blown away by the complexy of this little design. Mar del Plata Golf Club was designed by Juan Dentone, the father of national born Argentine Golf Professionals. Mungo Park lived in the Argentine for around 4 years to my recollection and returned back to Scotland in the Teens. He was the first first rate professional to come to Argentina and as my memory serves me correctly he won two Argentine Opens. I am not sure how much he had to do with the course, but Juan Dentone is credited with the first 9 hole routing in 1892. The course was in the process of being expanded to the present layout in 1928 to 30, when Alister arrived to Argentina. Alister was asked to give insight to Dentones work, and he scrapped Dentones work and created a complete redesign of the course. The club decided to not go with Alister suggustions as reported in the Ledger of the club. Luther Koontz was responsible for helping develop the irrigation system and improve turf conditions.
The club was the wintering grounds for the Prince of Wales, Henry Cotton, Aubrey and Percy Boomer to name a few. MPGC was regarded as the most prestigeous club in Argentina, a distinction still held to this day. The economic change in Argentina has damped the clubs activity, and the 80's and 90's change in the economy prompted vacationers from Argentina to go to the USA and overseas for their vacations.
Juan Dentone was also the architect to the Anchorena estate course El Boqueron, where the layout was not executed as designed by Alister Mackenzie, utilizing only the front 9 routing and had very basic greens. My guess is that Dentone, as a proud Argentine was a bit miffed by Alister's scrapping of his work and played a large role the clubs decision to not change. Truthfully, the existing routing is very good for the land allocated to the course. Apart from rough turf maintenance and bunkering that takes a beating from relentless wind changes it is a fantastic golf course. The Abierto Del Sur is one of the most prestigeous Argentine tournaments, won by many great players. The club house materials were shipped from England, and money was not spared in her construction. It is considered the St Andrews of South American golf. Now there is a harbor infront of the club, but in the good ole days Playa Grande beach was directly below the 10th and 11th holes. Members dominated the beach until the land was claimed by urban expansion in the 50's and 60's. The course is commonly referred to by Argentines as Playa Grande. The great old courses of the region are the Jockey, Punta Carrete, San Andres, and Mar Del Plata Golf Club in my opinion.
If you ever get to Argentina this is a must see town and course to play. The seafood is FOB and to die for.
David Edel