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• 09 / 11 / 2007

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At that time, there were not only golf courses in the capital of the island but also in several sugar mills of American owners, there were courses of nine, six and even three holes. It is said that in the place known as Colinas de Villareal, in Guanabo beach, to the east part of the capital, there was a golf course with excellent conditions and 18 holes during the fifties.

Today, the most important golf club is located in Varadero beach. Architect Les Furber, president of Canadian company Golf Design Services Ltd. (GDS), created this facility. It was built next to the wonderful Xanadu mansion and Las Américas Resort hotel complex of the Sol-Melia hotel chain.

Varadero Golf Club has also 18 holes, 72 par, 5 holes 5 par and 5 holes, 3 par, the remaining eight holes are four par. This course reaches 6269 straight meters between the first Tee or exit and the Green 18. This course can be divided in two diversified fringes. The first journey from one to nine can wander better than the second one, from ten to 18, where the 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 holes are more complicated.

This club features its plan of links; several holes located together along the coast and insert the sea as another difficulty of this competition. Many lakes diversify this environment harmonizing with well-asphalted streets and bushes that turn cooler the weather of the peninsula.

The second golf club in Cuba with more than half a century is that located in Havana, on Vento road, kilometer 8, Capdevila that can be accessed from Rancho Boyeros Avenue in the way to Jose Marti International Airport and downtown.

This course of nine holes has sticks rental, custody, carts etc. Its extensive and wavy fairways are adapted to handicaps. Its greens surrounded by bunkers establish a difficult test even for the most experienced people in this practice.

The Havana Golf club has cafeteria, restaurants specialized in Cuban and foreign cuisine, bowling alley, billiard, electronic games, shop and swimming pool. All facilities are surrounded by abundant vegetation of big trees and royal palms.

The Havana Golf Club holds world competitions every year such as the Tournament of European Community in April, Canadian Tournament in the same month, African day, in May, Indonesia Feasts in August, Hispanic Day in October and the Tournament of the End of the year in December.

In order to enjoy this excellent course, Sol-Melia hotel chain in Cuba and Rumbos Cuban group of Entertainment and Tourism foreseen attractive programs. Those programs include free introduction practices for beginners, free transportation to and from Varadero Gulf Club, specific options for accompanying people, reduction in the rental of green fees, warranty and exclusivity in the tee times as well as keeping the golf sticks.

Cuba holds the experience in Golf tournaments and it has been twice the venue of the Great Final of European Challenge Tour in the years 1999 and 2000. The improvement of this sport discipline continues with unflagging purposes with the creation of the newly school lead by PGA professionals and instructors of the Cuban Federation of Golf.