Ecuador might just be one of the most magical destinations in South America. Soon to be summer and known to be relatively inexpensive. They like to consider themselves being in the middle of the world, with a climate that allows you to play all year around. Ecuador is located in the north western part of South America and shares international boundaries with Columbia in the north and Peru in the east. Of course the Pacific Ocean coastline is the western border. It is also one of the smallest countries in South America so cris crossing the country is not that big a deal!
Montecristi Golf Club
A golf excursion to Ecuador could just be your gateway to a small country that gives you some of the most diverse regions in the world and I will bet you they there might just be some pretty decent wine to be found! Just guessing on that!
Located right on the equator and to put the countries size into perspective – size of Colorado! The countries four regions don’t vary all that much in year round average temperatures – about 25 degrees Celsius or 80 F. The Coastal will nudge into the 90’s or 30 C while temps do cool off in the Andes Mountains region.
You’ve no doubt caught on to the Coastal region with the Pacific Ocean to temp anyone, but just off the mainland you will find the majestic natural wonder of the world, Galapagos Islands. In the far east you will find, “elOriente or the Amazon Jungle and in the center of the country are The Andes Mountains otherwise known as “la Sierra.”
Golf can be your gateway to visit 4 different worlds in one country.
Los Chillos Golf Club
Ecuador has seven golf courses: four of them in the capital city of Quito at more than 2,700 meters above sea level, if dealing with the Andes Mountains isn’t enough you will have a number of rivers and streams to deal with too. Cuenca is 2,500 meters above sea level and you will find the 9-hole Cuenca Golf & Tennis Club and there are three additional courses on the Coast, one in Montecristi and two in Guayaquil the main port city and the largest city in the country.
There are two more courses are in the works in the province of Manabí, Coastal region with another in Quito. Surprisingly Ecuador has about 3,500 golfers with one young lady Daniela Darquea who at 20 years of age has become the first Ecuadorian on the LPGA Tour.
Should you consider this adventure, courses for consideration are:
Quito
- LOS CERROS CLUB DE GOLF, a par 72, designed by Rafael y Jaime Villegas. It stretches back to 7163 yards from the tips extension, with scenic views overlooking Los Chillos valley and the City of Quito to the northeast.
- ARRAYANES COUNTRY CLUB, this challenging course at par 71 is 6,600 yards with narrow well-defined fairways. Designed by Jamie Vellegas with the Andes Mountains as a background scenic vista abound overlooking the valleys of Quito.
- QUITO TENNIS & GOLF CLUB, this is the closest golf course to the middle of the world. This is the official Club for the Quito Open, being one of the most challenging golf courses of the PGA Latin America Tour.
- CLUB LOS CHILLOS, Club Los Chillos – 9 holes / par 36. Tree lined fairways with well protected greens make this one of the most challenging nine hole in the country, close to Quito!
Guayaquil
- LA COSTA COUNTRY CLUB, this is beautiful 18 holes / par 72, with 6813 yards from the tips.. Located in the largest city of Ecuador, Guayaquil, one of the best golf experiences in Ecuador.
- GUAYAQUIL COUNTRY CLUB, with a 7113 yards, par 72 course is located in the outskirts of Guayaquil.
Cuenca
- CUENCA TENIS Y GOLF CLUB, despite having only 9 holes, its fairways are wide and the holes are relatively long, with 2 sets of tee-offs for each hole. A treat to play!
Montecristi
- MONTECRISTI GOLF CLUB & VILLAS, located in the coastal province of Manabi, this 18-hole golf course of 6179 yards, combines waste area with lush fairways and greens. Short by modern standards but a solid design, strategic bunkering and winds off the ocean make it a very good test of golf.
Coming Soon:
- CEIBO VALLEY GOLF CLUB at Las Olas nature at its best. A Kris Savignac design which will feature expansive ocean views throughout the back nine!
- COSTA-JAMA – This 7,600 yard gem the work of Steve Smyers will start you off in a mountain valley before working you up to cliffside vistas that will rival the best in the world.
For more information visit www.linkexperiences.com or please contact Juan Xavier De Guzman, Managing Director on
juanxavier@grupo-link.com or tel +1 786 220 4776.
