Golf Courses: Cuba's Varadero, and Habana Golf Clubs

About 50 years ago Cuba’s Fidel Castro ordered golf courses closed, citing them as elitist. One other reason is because during a visit from Castro, president Dwight Eisenhower avoided meeting with him by going to play golf. There are currently only two golf courses in Cuba, but there are now plans for further golf course development. Varadero Golf Club The 18 hole Varadero Golf Club was built in 1927 by a French American millionaire. The course design is a mixture of several architectural styles including links golf, classic tree lined, and target golf. The target holes feature forced carries over natural land features. Salt water lakes come into play as natural water features. From the longest tees Varadero plays to 6,229 meters or roughly 6,800 yards. Par for the course is 72. Contact: Varadero Golf Club Varadero, Cuba +53 45 668482 www.varaderogolfclub.com Habana Golf Club The nine hole Habana (Havana) Golf Club is the only golf course located in Havana, Cuba. The course opened in 1998. Habana Golf Club is conveniently located about a five minute drive from the Havana international airport and 10 minutes from downtown Havana. This nine hole course plays to a par value of 35. Course design features tree lined fairways which feature “wavy” undulations as described by the course. Players wishing to play 18 full holes of golf take advantage of the two sets of tees that the course, playing one set for the front nine and the other for the back nine. Contact: Club de Golf de la Habana, Havana Carretera de Vento Km 8, Capdevila, Havana 14200 +53 7 33 8820/+53 7 44 1836/+53 7 33 8918