Cartagena: El Santísimo
Calle del Torno # 39 - 62
Cartagena, Colombia
Reservas:
(57) 5 660 1531
Club de Pesca
Manga, Fuerte de San Sebastian
del Pastelillo
Cartagena de Indias,
Telephone: (57) (5) 660-4594
email:
restaurante@clubdepesca.com
mercadeo@clubdepesca.com
Opening green with airport runway
The reachable par 5 4th holePlenty of colour on the 6th hole
Next up is the Club El Rodeo in the heart of Medellín – and when I mean the heart, it’s surrounded by a dual carriageway, flats that are being built on land that the golf club sold and last but not least an airport. Yes, hit a wedge shot to high from the tee on the par-3, 15th and you could be taking out a plane on its way into land!
Fortunately that par-3 measures 216 yards so you should just miss.
It’s not a course that Colin Montgomerie would enjoy, and if you need total quiet while you putt then you won’t enjoy playing here. But this course and San Andrés are a whisker apart for second and third place. I’ve put this in second place just because of its uniqueness.
The first glimpse of the airport comes on the opening hole. Once you get to the green on your left-hand side you will see the runway stretching out before you just across the dual carriageway, so it could make that six-footer a little bit more of a tester.
I really enjoyed playing here and you’ll be surprised by the standard of the course and how good the design is. It would be a great course in the middle of the countryside, but I think the location makes it extra special and if this was in the middle of London or New York you could bet your life your yearly subscription would keep a small country’s economy going.
Standout holes for me are the run from the third to ninth. There are some great driving holes here and you can enjoy see the ball flying miles in the thin air. With the movement in the fairways you certainly get plenty of roll on top.
On the back nine the run from twelfth to 18th is enjoyable, especially the par-3s on the back nine from elevated tees (which I always think par-3s should be). The twelfth and 13th have rivers running through them and the finishing holes from the 15th are a great set to finish off this unique design.
The par 5 5th green Looking down on the 12th The famous par 3 15th hole