August 2017

Puerto Velero, Chile

Puerto Velero is a popular holiday spot, situated 440 km. north of Chile's capital, Santiago. Puerto Velero is located in Tongoy, which is a Chilean coastal town in the Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region. It sits 42 km. to the south of Chile's second oldest city, La Serena, next to the spa of Guanaqueros, on a rocky promontory opposite the Pacific Ocean.

Situated between the beaches of Socos and Grande, to the north of the Talinay Mountain range, the layout of the Puerto Velero Pitch and Putt course makes clever use of a dry and broken area and the holes have varying degrees of difficulty. Overall, it's a pretty demanding setup and precision is key. 

Puerto Velero's sprawling 18 holes are laid out over six hectares. Designed by the Captain of the Estadio club in Santiago, Alfredo Mortera Gálvez, Puerto Velero course is maintained and landscaped by the outstanding landscaper Macarena Politis.

Close to the cafeteria and bar, there is a putting green zone, where you can practise your short game, chipping, putting and bunker shots.

Opened in January 2016, the course is irrigated with treated water, which allows landscaping to maintain the rugged nature of the north, unique in the country, with the characteristic of the natural elements that make up the course. These will be maintained to incorporate a landscaping native to the area, with protected species, such as the black, native and extinct palo. Or the fauna that walks around the greens, comprising foxes and cururos. Bandurrias are among the wide variety of birds that can be seen in the vicinity.

A ravine comes into play on the first eight holes, most notably at the back of the 65 metre fourth and in front of the green on the 80 metre 8th. Longest holes on the course are the 10th and 12th, both at 90 metres. The 10th and 12th are situated at the far end of the course in a wooded area.

Puerto Velero is currently the largest Pitch and Putt course in Chile.