Fream has a completed Project of eighteen holes in Argentina, Pilar golf Club. Jay mentioned Gil maybe, does he have six completed projects, if I remember right most of his work has been in renovation and his completed projects were around that many but the shift is now going to eighteen hole projects. Norman has twelve holes completed in the South of Argentina but not eighteen as of yet.
Randy:
What sort of project is happening in the south of Argentina? That sounds like an interesting place to work.
Tom,
It is beautiful country, both the south of Chile and Argentina (refered to as, Patagonia in both countries), words canīt describe it but maybe inland Oregon and Western Canada come close. Anyways, about ten years ago after many years of going round and round Nicklaus did one for a former friend or neighbor to get his foot in the door in Argentina. I never understood how the economics were going to work but like you said thatīs only our concern when asked. Anyways, the course has struggled and about five years ago they got a hotel group in and built the hotel and it opened. Its empty ten months a year, as is the golf course. The owner started a construction company with the shaper and built a couple of other Nicklaus courses in Argentina (two) and from those profits kept the course open and in good condition. But itīs been three or four years since they have done anything else and the construction company has dissolved after trying to get other projects but without results. The project is in a beautiful area called San Martin but like I said, it always seemed to be hanging on by a thread. The Norman project is across the street and that one really blew my mind of...How and Why. They took about five to seven years, going forward, stopping going forward, stopping and started construction about three years ago. I walked it after the rough shaping was done and then more starts and stops. Last I heard they were about to open 9 or the full twelve but have not heard about the other six going forward but that doesnīt mean it isnīt happening, i just donīt know. But, I do know sales are slow and what they have sold has been mostly been to Brazilians and a few Americans.
Randy,
Thank you for your kind words in previous postings about the site and routing of the Norman course we are building. We have 9 holes fully shaped, of which 5 are seeded. The other 4 holes will be seeded soon and hopefully grow in before winter. Depending on the weather and how the fescues grow, we expect some limited play this fall or opening next (Southern Hemisphere) spring.
We did stop construction for just over a year due to a volcano eruption that blanketed the site with ashes and sand, and closed down the airport for over a year. It was really hard to breath or run machinery during times. The good part is that volcanic sand is excellent greens mix. The eruption is a once in 80 year event and the region has fully recovered.
We have the other 9 holes cleared of pine trees and will proceed as soon as we finish the front 9. The back 9 sits on a plateau, will have 80% less earthworks, with just minimum dozer work, so we expect it will be a shorter construction time frame.
Buyers include Argentines, both local and from Buenos Aires, Americans, Europeans, and from several countries in Latin America. There has been less than a handful of Brazilians buying so far, although we do expect that will change with time.
Marcos