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| El Tamarindo Golf Course
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Designed
by: Robert Trent Jones Jr. and David Flemming |
| Architects
Robert Trent Jones Jr. and David Flemming created a
masterpiece when they were given the run of this sublime
site in a vast ecological preserve. |
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There
is not one flawed hole on this 6,682-yard, par-72
course, and no less than fourteen holes could
qualify for signature status!
The thrills of
El Tamarindo begin immediately at the 371-yard,
par-four 1st. A blind tee shot must be played
to the left to avoid the encroaching barranca.
The 3rd hole is a mesmerizing par-four that runs
straight out to the beach, with a green flanked
by side and back bunkers.
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Before dismissing this as an overstatement, try them for yourself
and let us know. Six is a stout, 472-yard
par-four from an elevated tee with a slight dogleg
left.
On the challenging, par-five
7th, a double dogleg, one can cut off some of
the first dogleg, but specimen trees prevent any
shortcuts on the second. The short par-four
8th is pure magic owing to its very elevated tee,
long carry over a marass of wild bushes to the
fairway far, far below, and a trap-protected green
framed by the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
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| After the breathtaking
majesty tee of the par-three 9th. This promontory
perch looks down toward a shallow green and a rousing
stretch of untamed, rocky coastline. Hit a
few shots from here ... it will be a while before
one comes upon a hole like this again. |
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| We stopped at the open-air,
thatch-roofed snack bar at the turn and found another
unexpected treat, delicious guacamole, exquisite
mahi-mahi ceviche, and the best Margarita Sunrise
served in the whole whole state of Jalisco, the
home of tequila! |
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We then resumed out our movable feast for the final
nine holes, highlighted by the extraordinary par-five
18th, where water beside teh green makes for a
precarious approach.
To reap the glories
of El Tamarindo, linger on the greens and take
in the fresh ocean breezes and the tranquil views-
one need not rush at this club. When we
played in December, we did not see another golfer
the entire day! Even on busy days, El Tamarindo
entertains only about eighty golfers. |
El
Tamarindo is well irrigated and, from tee to green,
the Bermuda grass is exquisitely conditioned.
Jones and Flemming have accomplished marvelous
things with El Tamarindo's greens. They
are expertly cut, and although not at PGA speed,
they are certainly fast enough. Note: Heed
the warnings into venture into the bush to look
for wayward golf balls, lest one come upon snakes
and other jungle creatures!
Golf Rating: 20
(GOLF ODYSSEY MAGAZINE - February 2000)
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