Golf Club Atlas

GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Tom_Doak on February 27, 2015, 11:35:58 AM

Title: Heading South
Post by: Tom_Doak on February 27, 2015, 11:35:58 AM
One of my reasons for reinventing The Confidential Guide is to tackle my bucket list of places and courses I've always wanted to see someday.

Tonight I am headed to Chile to spend two weeks seeing as much as I can in Chile and Argentina, with Randy Thompson as my guide.  I will also stop through the highest course in the world - La Paz GC in Bolivia - on my way home.  I'm especially looking forward to seeing Llao Llao and the Lake District of Chile.

I doubt I will have much opportunity to peruse GCA while I'm away, but I will miss all my friends here :) and see you in 17 days.
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Howard Riefs on February 27, 2015, 11:53:28 AM
Safe travels. Hopefully, you can meet up with Ricardo if/when you're in Buenos Aires.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,55622.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,55622.0.html)

Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Scott Wintersteen on February 27, 2015, 12:34:51 PM
I'll be interested to hear your feedback on the Chilean courses.  I was just there last month for work and it is a beautiful country.  I didn't bring my clubs but apparently from the people that I talked to all of the courses are private and fairly expensive.  I was surprised to hear that they didn't have any public options.  I hope you will share the courses you are visiting and your thoughts. 
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Jerry Kluger on February 27, 2015, 12:58:48 PM
I am sure that this trip had nothing to do with the temperatures in Michigan. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Patrick_Mucci on February 27, 2015, 04:07:54 PM
Tom,

Have a great time.

Is there anything you look for, in particular, when you visit a course that you've never seen ?

How much of what you've heard or read about the course influences your focus ?
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: RJ_Daley on February 27, 2015, 11:27:31 PM
I get the impression that much or the coastal areas of Chile are like what the Monterey Penn was like 75-100 years ago.  When looking at Google Earth and street views along coastal drive areas, there is a great deal of golfy looking properties.  That is one trip I would love to be on with TD and Randy as a guide.
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Bill_McBride on February 28, 2015, 10:12:20 AM
Tom, when you're in Chile I hope you have time to visit Pablo Neruda's home in Isla Negra on the Pacific south of Valparaiso.  He was Chile's most famous poet and also a well traveled diplomat who brought home a fabulous collection of souvenirs from all over the world.  The house is built like a ship on the rocks above the surf.   The visit there remains one of my most vivid travel memories. 
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Ally Mcintosh on February 28, 2015, 12:24:16 PM
I always liked the idea of Chile.

Spending time reading all of Roberto Bolano's prose over the last number of years has just reinforced my desire to visit there someday.
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Pete_Pittock on February 28, 2015, 02:10:50 PM
Tom, when you're in Chile I hope you have time to visit Pablo Neruda's home in Isla Negra on the Pacific south of Valparaiso.  He was Chile's most famous poet and also a well traveled diplomat who brought home a fabulous collection of souvenirs from all over the world.  The house is built like a ship on the rocks above the surf.   The visit there remains one of my most vivid travel memories. 

since this is now sightseeing I hope you have time for MacHu Picchu in Peru
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Jim Nugent on February 28, 2015, 02:16:58 PM
I'm interested to hear what sites you encounter that might make top-notch golf courses. 
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: Will Lozier on March 01, 2015, 09:49:22 AM
A friend who was on a trip as a Nat'l Geographic photographer once said some positive things about an older course in Santiago called Los Leones.  The extent of his golf knowledge is growing up playing Springfield CC - a great Ross - so...this could mean anything!

Don't let your ego get to you when you are bombing drives in La Paz!  ;)
Title: Re: Heading South
Post by: MClutterbuck on March 01, 2015, 10:07:41 AM

Tonight I am headed to Chile to spend two weeks seeing as much as I can in Chile and Argentina, with Randy Thompson as my guide.  I will also stop through the highest course in the world - La Paz GC in Bolivia - on my way home.  I'm especially looking forward to seeing Llao Llao and the Lake District of Chile.

Is Barnbougle the furthest south you have seen golf? You will be slightly south of that, but not as south as the Southernmost course (in Argentina, Ushuaia at -54.8 Latitude).