All the great things which have happened in my life have been somehow related to gold, comments five-time Central American Golf Champion and eleven-time National Champion, Alvaro Ortiz. More than an opportunity to travel the world and be surrounded by interesting people; this sport represent a consistently challenging passion for Ortiz; one which he has been devoted to since he was eight years old.
Alvaro Ortiz
For golf devotees the pure physical form of the sport is in itself an artistic expression. However, for golf course creators, the artistic process begins with an idea, which will be blueprinted on a designer's table. That initial creative moment is where the principles of art and design are applied, giving life to a concept which will evolve into a landscaped work of art.
"Every golf course is uniquely different, just like every day of playing golf is distinctively different from another, even if playing on the same course", explains Ortiz. "Many variables, such as wind-shifts, the condition of the green, rough and fairways or simply the difference of playing over wet or dry grass; may vary the difficulty of a course". Although the physical implications for handling these elements surely spark the competitive flame; the mental strategy involved in the sport is heightened when played over a challenging layout.
According to Ortiz "when traveling for golf, the destination is chosen for having a renowned course, one which you already know or have been referred to".
Consequently to simply stroll down the green without noticing the design strategy that went into the creation of these courses is much like drinking wine from a box. To truly flavor the essence of a fine grape one must appreciate the intricacies behind the production of the wine. Therefore to know about the course and the design philosophy implemented during construction; is to enhance the experience of the game.
The concept of golf course design was introduced to Costa Rica by architect George Fazio who designed the 18-hola layout for the Cariari Golf Course. Construction for the course began in 1970, by his nephew Tom Fazio, and took 3 years to complete. With a total playing area of 35 hectares, it has a slope of 132, and a rating of 71.9; it is considered a championship level terrain and has hosted many national and international golf tournaments.
"Tournaments can be grounds for psychological warfare", remarks Ortiz, "yet this is what strengthens your game". The thrill of competition is matched only by the thirst to create something amazing out of something untamed; by having the talent to sea slopes, roughs, greens and fairways and, in essence, being able to uncover the hidden potential concealed in a raw segment of land.
For prominent golf course designer, Ted Robinson Jr, the ability to image a championship course is not just a talent but a skill.
"I suppose one could say the design passion is in the blood; I'm a second generation architect and have grown up and around golf all my life. We jest about it, but there may be a little truth in believing the ability to imagine a finished project when it is nothing but bramble is an inherited skill".
He describes for us his experience while designing, La Iguana Golf Course, an I 8-hole, par-72 championship course located at the Marriott Los Sue�os Resort in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. "Designing Los Sue�os was a special experience principally because of the ecology of the site. The course ranges from wide open ocean vistas to near vertical canyon walls that rise up as if in a natural cathedral. Giant Sabo trees, the Scarlet Macaw and white faced monkeys are all accents in a dramatic landscape. These are the attributes that define this project as being uniquely Costa Rican and offering a golfing experience one will not find anywhere else. The opportunity of creating a challenging test of golf within such a unique environment is what made my involveme nt on this project so special".
Another jewel of golf design in Costa Rica took 12 months to design and 30 to construct; the golf course located at Peninsula Papagayo and operated by the Four Seasons Resort is an Arnold Palmer signature creation.
Arnold Palmer, president of The Palmer Course Design Company and boasting a brilliant career in tournament golf; has been involved in over 300 golf course projects in the United States and internationally in 20 countries.
For this project; careful consideration was taken to diminishing the ecological impact that a golf course would have on the surrounding ecosystems. Its design was based on utilizing as much of the already deforested cattle grazing terrain for the course. so as to avoid to a maximum the cutting down of the endemic tree life present on the site. In addition, a special top quality grass, which can be irrigated using a mixture of fresh and salt water, was utilized for the green in order to decrease unnecessary water consumption. The outcome is a 48 hectare golf course: known for its beauty and undulating terrain, which provides a fair but challenging test of golf finesse.
Manuel Ardor, director of Operations of Ecodesarrollo Papagayo (the concession project which includes the golf course operated by the Four Seasons) believes that "the success of a golf course depends on that its visitors, indifferent of their level of expertise, achieve an entertaining experience, which involves having an enjoyable time while playing but also being afforded a challenging terrain for practicing the sport. I believe this course, achieves these objectives". Unquestionably the panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding landscapes give visitors a peaceful atmosphere to relax and concentrate on improving their game skills.
In the future, hotel guests and residents will also enjoy two other golf courses, which will accompany Palmer's creation at Peninsula Papagayo. The first will be an I 8-hole Jack Nicklaus design, already in its design phase.
Continuing on, our search leads us to the next golf oasis of Costa Rica's north Pacific, which is product of golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr. Sharing his father's passion for golf and golf course creation he branched out on his own in the 1960's. Adding to his portfolio of merits, he designed the 120 acres, 18�hole championship layout for the Reserva Conchal Golf Club, which he describes as, ''This is environmentally sensitive golf at its best."
The site's interesting topography where lakes and ravines accentuate the course's difficulty level provides players with both a challenging and extraordinary eco-golf experience.
During its construction cautious attention went into preserving and enhancing the native tropical dry rain forest's exotic wildlife and nearby mangroves. Phil Krick, golf director of the resort, calls the course "a well designed test of golf that captures a unique Costa Rican experience". Krick believes that being given the opportunity to interact with nature and the local wildlife adds to the golf experience plus gives identity to the course itself. He points out that, "people return from a day on the green and all they can talk about is their encounter with the animals that live along the court".
He also rates Costa Rica as "an emerging destination with an extraordinary future for golf course development".
In retrospect we find that a conscientious approach to protect and lessen the impact caused on the ecology of each area has been implemented from the first phases of design and continued to be an integral part of the development of these golf projects in Costa Rica.
Our subsequent course is no exception. Maintaining an eco�approach in its design; the course at Valle del Sol, situated in Costa Rica's Central Valley offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains from its undulating greens, ample fairways and 15 water hazard spots which challenge golfers of all levels.
Designer Tracy D. May of T.M. Golf Designs incorporates a design philosophy which places emphasis on enhancing existing wildlife habitats. The layout for Valle del Sol incorporates creeks and lakes which create habitats for wildlife preservation throughout the course.
Mark Dinan, golf course superintendent of the Valle del Sol golf course, describes it as "challenging for all levels, we built it knowing we would attract a lot of new golfers". Its convenient location and easy access are also added pluses, Dinan comments, "the course is 20 minutes from the airport, 35 from downtown San Jose, and very accessible. The weather is perfect 75�F to 80�F year-round". He is also quick to note that, "golf in Costa Rica is an experience you will never forget!"
Mike Young, designer of the Hacienda Pinilla Golf course, believes that "the golfing experience in Costa Rica is still young, much like Hawaii 30 years ago. It's not for everyone, but for the golfer that has seen it all and is looking for something new there are not many more beautiful places to playThe people of Costa Rica are a great asset as well. Everyone his so friendly and due to the newness of golf here they are very eager to learn and it really brings back a sense of freshness to the experience".
He also grew up with the sport and mentions that he has "always had a predisposition to designing and building things and thinking them through'. When taking on the project several landscaping golf, being that it was rolling farmland verses the hilly land seen in many places. This lent itself to a more traditional links style course that was very wide open. Giving the land and the freedom we were given with it made it a very agreeable canvas".
The result of his work produced a top golf course that, in his opinion, "stands out due to its flow and integration into the landscape. There is hardly a hole that you can see another hole from and it looks very natural like it has always been there. When playing it you really feel like you have the course to yourself and thus really get a great glimpse of Guanacaste, not just golf".
Unforgettable scenery, memorable moments and designer golf courses are what make Costa Rica a must visit destination for golf enthusiasts. Hence as the term golf architecture continues to take on the challenge of creating the most unique golfing experiences in Costa Rica, so will new and veteran visitors; accompanied by Ortiz and other golf champions, continue to engage in the sport from locations with the most picture perfect backdrops on Earth.
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