Pablo Caviedes - Chilean Vice President's Peruvian Odyssey
As a highly-qaulified medical professional, Pablo Caviedes is accustomed to undertaking trips to many parts of the world. As a Pitch and Putt player and administrator, Pablo has also travelled extensively. His most recent journey was to Club de Regatas, Lima in Peru for the first-ever international tournament held in Peru. Pablo was kind enough to share his reaction with fippa.org.
fippa.rg (Q.) Your impressions of the course?
Pablo Caviedes (A.) The new 9-hole course at the San Antonio affiliate of the Club Regatas Lima can, at a minimum, be described as state-of-the-art. The design and construction, carried out by the famous golf course designer Agustín Piza, is exquisite. A mixture of flower beds all around the course, with abundant palm trees, three artificial lakes, and with carefully planned rock formations – one with a cascade – and another that has three teeing areas that overlook the entire course and beyond. There is also a practice range and a putting green, close to the clubhouse.
The greens are firm, with slopes that are quite difficult to read at times. Indeed, making birdies even after teeing off close to the hole is challenging! Also, the mild climate of the central coast of Peru, along with a soft breeze coming in from the Pacific Ocean, make the location ideal for practicing Pitch and Putt.
Q. Did you enjoy the tournament?
A. The tournament was played in medalplay format, with four rounds played over a three-day period. This gave us the opportunity of interacting with many of our new Peruvian friends. There was great enthusiasm on both sides, in particular from the Chilean side. The allocated 25 slots for Chileans were taken up quite fast, once the official announcement for the Tournament was made.
Q. Is it a pleasant place to stay?
A. The Club Regatas Lima is quite old. It was founded in 1875, and it currently has six affiliate locations in Peru, being the main facility in Lima. The San Antonio resort offers several lodging alternatives, all equipped with kitchens, fully-equipped bathrooms and bedrooms, and all units have barbecues.
The San Antonio affiliate has around 180 hectares of terrain, with beautiful areas for walking, and ample access to the beach. There is a supermarket for those wishing to cook, and a restaurant that has a varied offer of the world-renowned Peruvian cuisine…. in particular, seafood.
Q.What non-Pitch and Putt activities were available?
A. There are facilities to practice many sports, like tennis, football, basketball. There are camping grounds for people travelling in RVs, and bicycles are available. In all, it is a spectacular resort, where no one will be bored!
Q. How long did you spend in Peru?
A. I stayed a few extra days in Lima after the tournament. I greatly enjoy Peruvian hospitality, their unmatched cuisine, and the history of Lima, which was once the capital city of the Viceroyalty that governed most of the Central and South Pacific territories during the day of the Colony. Indeed, the museums, the historic downtown areas, are always a must-see!
Q. Did you travel alone or as part of a group?
A. Most of the Chilean pitch & putt players flew out in the same flight (about 20 of us), so it was a merry three and a half hours in the air from Santiago to Lima! Not to mention the bus rides to San Antonio afterwards. Some travelled with their spouses and family members, and they all had a wonderful time.
Q. What is the potential for Pitch and Putt in Peru?
A. I believe this course will be a landmark for Peruvian Pitch and Putt, as well as the entire region. Our Peruvian friends at the Club Regatas Lima did a very serious job with this course and took the time to not overlook any details. I must say that this course is definitely one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. And, the commitment of our Peruvian friends, along with their drive, make me very optimistic that they will develop the sport quite quickly, and they will be a force to contend with!
