Campos Guataparo Country Club ☆ Follow

The Guataparo Country Club is an 18-hole golf course located in Valencia, Venezuela, situated on the shores of the Laguna de Guataparo. The course was founded in 1968 by a group of locals who established the Asociación Civil Guataparo Country Club to promote social, cultural, and sporting activities. The initial design of the first nine holes was created by Jimmy Wilson, who worked closely with engineer Juan Carbonell and Iván Ortega to shape the terrain while respecting natural drainage systems. The construction of these first nine holes took 18 months, with the work progressing slowly due to the hilly and uneven nature of the land. The completion of the course came in stages. In 1970, Roberto Velazco and Tony Criado were brought in to protect the existing work and finish the remaining five holes of the front nine. The final nine holes were completed in 1977 under the presidency of Bruno Cacciaguerra, with Joseph Lee hired to design the back nine. Lee utilized modern techniques and appropriate machinery to construct the greens, which were noted to be more cost-effective than Wilson's earlier work. The resulting course is described as a classic layout featuring flat, long bunkers and tees that vary in elevation, interspersed with larger, elevated tees. A defining characteristic of the course is its setting, bordered by a water reservoir with its own hydrological basin. This natural feature adds both aesthetic appeal and strategic challenge to the layout. The club has a history of hosting significant tournaments, including the Copa Simón Bolívar and the Copa los Andes. The course is often regarded as one of the premier golf facilities in the country, offering a blend of classic design elements and a scenic environment that has attracted players for over five decades.