By Shell Johanson

In a recent blog, I told you all about a listing I have in Los Arcos and about Los Arcos de Heredia in Costa Rica, explaining about this beautiful area and about how close the golf course of the Cariari Country Club is.

COURSE   PAR 72 - YARDAGE   6590 -  SLOPE 132 - RATING 71.9  

Today I would like you tell you a bit more about the Cariari Country Club and specifically about golf in Cariari and the golf course. Some other day, I will tell you more about all the other amenities that the Cariari Country Club has to offer it's members, like tennis, swimming and some others.

Golf in Cariari

The Cariari Golf club was founded in 1973 on 132 acres and the fairway was designed by architect George Fazio. This 18 hole golf course in Cariari is known to be one of the nicest golf courses in Costa Rica, but decide for yourself how it looks like in the following scorecard

Scorecard

Worldgolf.com describes the Cariari golf course as one of the best in the country and mentions that it is heavily wooded with narrow fairways and only a few fairway bunkers. The Bermuda grass greens are fairly large, fast and well-bunkered. A comment often heard from those who have enjoyed the Cariari golf course are "Don't let the yardage fool you; this little course is tight and can play difficult.

Difficulty

Ciudad Cariari is located at an elevation of 3,000 ft. above sea level. Although the course doesn’t seem to be very long in terms of yardage it is, but due to the narrowness and curvatures of the fairways, the player must choose different clubs than when starting, which makes you use the second shot to the green with longer clubs as the greens are very well protected. The fareways are seeded with Bermuda 419 and the greens with Bermuda 328. The broken landscape on the course makes for an added challenge and during the dry season the strong winds provide an additional test of one’s golf prowess. Also, the vegetation of the area makes it one of the most beautiful in Central America.

Tournaments

During the year they hold two types of events with the participation of club members and national team-players. These events include tournaments such as: Toys for Tots - Continental Airlines, DHL, AmCham, Fathers and Sons and others. In addition, Club Cariari hosts each month an international tournament such as The Costa Rican Open that starts in the beginning of February. It is attended by professionals from Europe, North, Central and South America that form part of the Tour of the Americas and the European Challenge Tour.

In February 2010 the country club held a Central American Championship for Youth and Children, an event that rotates among participating countries.

The club offers also a very good Pro Shop accesible to members and non-members.

There is a strictly enforced dress code: for men, shirts must have sleeves and a collar, Bermuda shorts must be appropriate for golf, no tennis or swim attire may be utilized on the course. For women accepted dress code requires: sleeved blouses and collared shirts. All players must wear socks, and no blue jeans allowed.

The have a practice driving range, a putting green, pitching and chipping facility. Balls can be rented at approximately $2.00 for 35 balls.

Just outside of the men's golf locker area is an informational directory on which is listed all the details regarding tournaments, dates, regulations, fees, notices, general information and other pertinent news for the golfers.

Non-Members

If you just plan to play once in a while, you can gain access to the club by having a member invite you once amonth. The Hotel Herradura’s guests also have access to the club. The green fee is $60 per day during the week and $100 on weekends before 11am. Caddy fees are $25 per round of 18 holes or less. The golf cart prices are $15 for 9 holes and $30 for 18 holes. Gratuity is optional.

Members

You can become a member by paying a US$12,000 one time administration fee to the club and you can buy a share in the market anywhere between $2,500 and $3,500. Then, you'll have to pay $140/month, if you play golf or not, as a monthly maintenance fee that will give you access to all the amenities of the club. Members pay a green fee of $8 during the week and $12 during the weekend. The cost of a caddy for a member is $12, depending on the category of the caddy.

Agenda

Have a look at what the agenda has to offer:

• Tuesday from 10a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Ladies Clinic (All Levels).

• Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Knights & Seniors Clinic, over 25 years of age. The focus is to improve the most important aspects of your game.

• Thursday 10a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Ladies Clinic Group 54 (National Team).

• Thursday 4p.m. to 5:30p.m. A high performance clinic for girls and young people, 9-18 yrs.

• Saturday 9a.m. to 10a.m., Golf School, ages 4 - 8 yrs.

• Saturday 10a.m. to 11a.m., Golf School, ages 8 - 16 yrs.

• Saturday 11a.m. to 12:30p.m., Clinic for Girls, all ages, focusing on national teams.

Private Lessons

*Swing Analysis.

They offer swing analysis that functions very similar to an x-ray which traces any movement, angle or position that could be improved. This tool allows the student and teacher to better manage and control the performance of the athlete.

* Conditioning

In addition to golf clinics and tutorial schools, they have a fitness program scientifically managed for golf athletes. This service is unique in Costa Rica and is available to help, mold and encourage the young future champions with the best technology and opportunities that can be offered. The schedule of times available is Monday and Wednesday under the supervision of their in house professionals.

* Private classes

In addition they also offer private golf lessons for all members at all levels of experience. Those interested parties may choose from three prominent professionals offered by the Club which are eager to help you attain your golf goals.

When was Cariari founded

Ciudad Cariari was founded in 1970 by a small group of Costarican business people who acquired the 230 acres of land on the Pan American Highway, only 5 miles west of Sabana Park, at the entrance of San Jose. The location was well picked as when you drive from the airport to San Jose, you are obliged to drive by Cariari. 

Previously, the main airport of Costa Rica was located in La Sabana, which is now part of the town of the Costa Rican capital. In 1952 the work began on a new airport in Alajuela. to be called Coco International Airport, which opened in 1958 and was renamed Juan Santamaria International Airport in 1971.

The Cariari Country club was inaugurated in May 1973 and as soon as that happened, a new town was born: Ciudad Cariari or simply Cariari.

Cariari was the name by which the natives of Costa Rica called the region of Port Limon. Columbus arrived on Costarican shores on September 17, 1502, wanting to give maintenance to his ships.

My name is Shell Johanson and I am your Cariari real estate expert, so if you are in the market for a Costa Rica golf property, feel free to contact me.

Mobile: (506) 8870-8877
Toll Free: 1 (305) 395-3251

Email shell@godutchrealty.com

Feel free to call me if you have any questions about playing golf in Costa Rica or if you plan to buy any property close to a golf course in Costa Rica.

At any time, feel free to ask for a tour of golf properties in Costa Rica, as I can offer you a great inventory.