Tee Time in Atenas… Plus other golf courses in Costa Rica.
Growing up in Central Florida, I was no stranger to the sport of golf. Actually, I grew up less than 20 minutes away from Del Webb’s Sun City Center, one of the largest golf and retirement communities in the world.
On weekends, I can remember spending time with my cousins at our nana’s house where we would take my uncles golf clubs out into the field behind her house and tee off. We would then proceed to jump on our golf cart of choice, her Massey Ferguson riding lawn mower, peeling out, making our way to the next ‘hole’. Needless to say, the next hole was usually somewhere in the middle of the orange grove.
In all honesty, those weekends at nana’s have been the extent of experience when it comes to golf. However, as the years go by, I am becoming more and more interested in learning more about this sport that is steeped in tradition and history. Actually, with the push from a few clients, I have done some research into golfing opportunities near Atenas. The quality and quantity of courses that I have found will surprise you.
In doing my research, the first person I went to for information was a friend, Marc Chevalier. Marc lives in Atenas and plays golf every week and suggests three nice courses near Atenas.
- Los Reyes- Los Reyes is beautiful gated community with a golf course and country club. It is a short 20 minute drive from downtown Atenas. There are 9 holes, which Marc says are very pleasant with ups and downs in the pines and typically not many players. The price for residents is C 19,000 ($38) for 18 holes.
- Valle del Sol – Valle del Sol is located in Santa Ana only 30 minutes drive from Atenas via Highway 27. The course is 18 holes and is relatively easy and forgiving. There are more players here because it is a public golf course and it has the appropriate infrastructure. Prices vary, but a typical week day runs around C 22,000 ($44).
Prices vary, but a typical week day runs around C 22,000 ($44) - Cariari Country Club- Cariari Country Club is off the PanAmerica Highway, just 5 kilometers from the airport, on the way to San Jose. This is one of the first courses built in Costa Rica and is narrow and more difficult. It is a private course and you must be a member, an invited guest, or go on specific ‘open’ days..
Weekday prices are C 22,000 ($44) plus C 8,000 ($16) for a mandatory caddy
In addition, Marc says ” I am also a member of the CVGA (Central Valley Golf Association )
which has around 120 members, mainly Americans. We have an organized tournament every Tuesday morning starting at 6:30 a.m. at Valle del Sol in Santa Ana. The people are very pleasant and it’s well organized with a different format of competition every week.
Every three months they organize trips to other courses in Costa Rica, including those at Tambor, Conchal and Los Suenos.” Marc adds “You also have Anagolf , which is the official golf federation of Costa Rica.”
Thomas Briggs, another Atenas resident and golf regular, paints a similar picture of local golf options saying “The best deal in Costa Rica is the Central Valley Golf Association which makes its home at Valle del Sol in Santa Ana. They play a regular weekly tournament at Valle every Tuesday morning. The format varies but the tee-off is between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. The cost for entry fee, greens fee, and cart is around $60
The association also arranges for ‘away’ events at courses such as Cariari. Three to four times per year we have a two night special at the Barcelo Tambor for unlimited golf at Los Delfines.”
After speaking with several other people in Atenas, I found there are two other golfing options that are a short and scenic drive away. Escazu Country Club and La Iguana Golf Course at Los Sueños, Playa Herradura.
If you are moving to Atenas full time, wintering or just here on vacation and want to get your tee on, then check out some of these beautiful facilities that are just a 9 iron swing away. Who knows, you may see me out there on the course in my plaid shorts and pom pom hat.
A few other golf courses around Costa Rica:
Tee Time in Atenas… Plus other golf courses in Costa Rica.
Article/Property ID Number 4877
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Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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