For those that prefer a difficult par
and an easy bogey, Cuba's golf courses possess excellent natural conditions.
The courses are spacious, on level ground and covered by fine grass
and interior lakes, sometimes situated between gentle rolling hills.
The Havana Golf Club and Varadero Gulf Club, are excellent examples of the island's
courses and are visited by professional and amateur golfers from
all over the world. These centers organize open competitions and
international and national golf events. Trainers are available for
beginners and specialized hotels are available offering accommodation
in excellent settings and with wonderful food.
Playing golf in Cuba involves exposure to the island's natural beauty adding
to the game's attraction and ensuring a relaxing, memorable holiday.
| In 1998 the Varadero Golf Club opened
on a property formerly owned by the Dupont family of the United
States. |
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| Varadero Golf Club |
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This par 72, 18-hole, 6269 meter course was designed by Les
Forbes, the Canadian architect who spent many years working
with the renowned Robert Trent Jones. Both greens and fairways
are irrigated. Eight holes have water hazards, and there are
many sand traps along the fairways as well as near the greens.
Some holes border the beach along the dunes giving the golfer
a spectacular view of the sea. There are three putting greens,
one pitching green, practice bunkers and two driving ranges.
This splendid course has been the venue of European PGA tournaments.
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| The elegant clubhouse is the 1930's Dupont mansion known as Xanadu which overlooks the beach from an elevated coral outcropping.
There is an excellent restaurant serving French-style food, an excellent wine cellar and a pleasant terrace bar as well as other facilities. Alongside the clubhouse is a large pro-shop and caddie house with lockers and a bar. There are caddies and electric carts readily at hand and professional instruction is also available.
Bordering the golf course is the 5-star luxury Hotel Melia Las Americas which faces the beautiful Veradero beach on the other side. The hotel is operated by the Sol-Melia chain of Spain and is only minutes on foot from the club house. It has 220 standard rooms, 18 suites and 90 bungalows, various restaurants and bars, plus 5 swimming pools. Taken together the Varadero Golf Club and the Hotel Melia Las Americas make a first class golfing resort unsurpassed in the Caribbean or anywhere else in the world. |
Just twenty minutes from the center of Havana,
close to the José Martí International Airport,
is the capital's only golf club the
Havana Golf Club.
With nine holes
at par 35, and spacious, rolling fairways, the course is adapted
to all handicaps, yet its greens surrounded by bunkers will satisfy
the demands of the most experienced players.
The Club offers the following services: equipment storage, rental
of clubs and buggies, a pro-shop that sells golf accessories, a
restaurant, cafeteria, shop, bowling alley, billiard table and
electronic games. Five tennis courts are also available with one
raquetball court along with trainers to help beginners. |
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Havana Golf Club |
The bar "Hole 19", which is exclusively for golfers,
is the perfect place to rest after a game and enjoy a good
conversation about - what else? - golf. |