Costa Rica Travel: Costa Rica Golf

Golf: Cariari Country Club, San Jose

The Cariari Country Club is long considered to be the best course in Central America, and is a natural to play when in Costa Rica. Opened since 1973, the Cariari Country Club is a short distance from the national capital of San Jose in Costa Rica's central valley. A great golf course that challenges the best of golfers, the Cariari is a natural place to play when you first arrive in Costa Rica and, with proper planning, a great way to end your stay in Costa Rica as well.

Cariari Golf Course San Jose Costa Rica

Situated on land that was once a coffee plantation, the Cariari was designed by well-known golf course architect George Fazio and built by his now famous nephew, Tom Fazio. This par 71 course measures 6,590 yards from the Championship tees, but plays much longer.

The Costa Rica golf course is heavily wooded, has narrow fairways, few fairway bunkers and the greens tend to be on the large side with sand traps. The greens are Bermuda and roll fast.

The course record is held jointly by Raymond Floyd and Costa Ricans Álvaro Ortiz and Mario Pérez. The Cariari was the site of the Friendship Cup in 1979 & 1980. These PGA sponsored events were won by Larry Zeigler (2 under) and Raymond Floyd (9 under).

Cariari Golf Course San Jose Costa Rica

The Friendship Cup is the only PGA sanctioned tournament ever played in Costa Rica. Larry Zeigler finished two over par to take the $20,000 winner's check in 1979 and Floyd shot a course record 66 in his nine-under par total the following year. Floyd now shares the course record with young Costa Rican Alvaro Ortiz, who shot his 66 in 1994.

The Friendship Cup lapsed after 1980 due to lack of financial support but, with the current golf boom in Costa Rica, many people are optimistic about getting a professional tournament back here in the future. The Cariari hosts many amateur tournaments during the year, including the National Tournament of Costa Rica, a medal and matchplay event, as well as various charity tournaments to benefit Costa Rican institutions like the Children's Hospital.  

Although the Cariari Country Club is private, it does offer exclusive access to guests of some of the hotels in the area. Currently these include the Melía Cariari, Costa Rica Marriott, Herradura Golf Resort & Conference Center, Residencias del Golf and Vistas del Golf. Caddies are required on this mature track. Rental clubs available.  Map >>

Location: San Jose, Central Valley, Costa Rica
Par: 71
Yardage: 6,590
Architect: George Fazio

Website:  www.clubcariari.com           Golf Tips 

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