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GOLF IN THE
SOUTHERNMOST PART OF THE PLANET
Where: Ushuaia, Argentina
Gateway: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
Ushuaia, where the wind blows hard
Here the wind blows hard, temperatures rise and fall on a dime and in winter often drop below zero when the sun rises only briefly — going farther south would land you in Antarctica. You probably don’t want to travel all the way down to the remote tip of South America to Ushuaia, Argentina, just to play this 9-hole track still, for those who find themselves in this part of the world, it can be a real kick to play. It’s a pretty little track which runs along a valley hunkered beneath snow-frosted mountains.
When Shannon Dowdy, LPGA guest pro on Crystal Symphony’s Samba Serenade cruise around Cape Horn asked if any of her onboard clinic participants wanted to tee it up at the Ushuaia Golf Club, there were a lot of takers. As the ship docked at the long concrete pier, already the wind was whipping the ship’s flags into a frenzy. This would not be a short sleeves and shorts day.
Wrapped in multiple layers with scarves, sweaters, vests, hats and long pants, we gathered in the ship’s reception area to claim our rental clubs (Calloway) provided by Crystal. The last stretch of the 20-minute ride out to the course ended on a dirt road leading to the entrance of the new clubhouse, a simple, two-story wood octagonal structure. The pro unlocked the door on our arrival; there were no other players in sight.
At first glace, the fairways looked patchy, the tees uninspired and flat; greens small. It was sometimes impossible to tell where one fairway ended, another began. But getting into the spirit of the adventure, it was great to get outside and swing a club, putt the greens which were surprisingly in good shape and true enough so we couldn’t gripe about those that lipped out. The few bunkers on the course hovered around the greens and a stream meandered along the fairways.
But the trees, just turning color in the early autumn (just as north of the equator the daffodils were coming up) and the backdrop of the rugged mountains were really the star attractions. As the sun warmed the valley, as we hit out in the crisp autumn air, we all agreed: it was worth the trip
In the clubhouse there was a snack bar, restaurant area and a display counter where you could buy golf balls, gloves, shirts and a few other items. The bargain of the day: logo shirts for $20 U.S. What better way to let your pals know that you had played the course at the end of the world.
For 18 holes (two rounds of nine) with a pull cart is about $60; balls are $1 and rental clubs are $10. Might seem expensive but then this is the only game in town. The course plays 4,935 yards from the front tees; 5,704 yards from the back
Travel Tips:
Getting there: You can go by land or fly to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires or take a cruise like the one offered by Crystal Cruises
More information: www.crystalcruises.com; golf course e-mail ugcinfo@tierradelfuego.org.ar
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