From my room at the Royal Tulip hotel I can see the beach and the holes from the Gavea Golf & country club that are being renovated, I am slightly miffed as these holes are right next to the beach and are probably or so I thought some of Gavea GCC most iconic holes.
I jump in my taxi and head to the course and I ask one of the local lads if he wants to play as we both arrive at the first tee at the same time, Daniel doesn’t speak any English and I know a little Spanish and no Portuguese, but the international language of golf gets us through.
The first two holes are pleasant holes and Daniel and my caddy Gabriel inform me the next hole is a dog-leg right and I nail my drive down the middle of the fairway, but it’s as I arrive at my ball, my eyes and brain start to take in the true beauty of this track. Not only my second shot to a raised green that sits some 230-yards away and a truly great par 5, but I can now see the elevation changes around the rest of the course and with the mist hiding the top of the surrounding hills, it really adds a touch of mystic to the place.
Standing on the green of the 4th you have stunning views in all directions, across to the beach or looking back at the rest of the course stretching up the hills. And the holes just keep getting better, the 5th is played from a stunning elevated tee to the fairway below and then over a ravine to the green that has several large rocks dotted about
This is the second course on this trip that sits nestled in the land surrounded by hills and you certainly don’t really see how beautiful the place is until you step on the course; in fact driving along the road you really wouldn’t know it was here.
There are only 14 holes in play while the renovation of the beach holes are taking place and six of those are par 3s and you really have to see the views from the tees. I could eulogise about every hole on the course, but believe me when I say this is a must play course, you will love every minute of it and for a green fee of less than £35, $49, €45 it is way more than a bargain. If you are a golfer I would say you have to come to Rio just to play at Gavea GCC it’s not long and it’s not tough, but it truly is spectacular.
Top: Misty mountains at Gavea's 3rd hole. Above great views out to sea at the elevated 9th tee
The stunning 5th hole7th In the heart of RioWater protecting the 11th
Top: Misty mountains at Gavea's 3rd hole. Above great views out to sea at the elevated 9th tee
