In a noteworthy report on Rio’s ongoing planning for the 2016 Olympics, which will feature golf for the first time ever, authorities have already started discussing their quite limited options for the unprecedented tournament.
With golf just a minor sport in Brazil there are currently very few courses capable of hosting a professional golf championship, such that the latest indication is that a new course will be developed specifically for Rio 2016.
The would be to build the course from scratch as part of a residential development in the Rio region of Barra, where the majority of other Olympics facilities will be located. Such residential complexes are common in Brazil and, with golf slowly building in popularity, are increasingly being incorporated in new projects.
The main candidate for the golf complex is an existing project called Riserva Uno, in Barra da Tijuca, which is being developed on 43,000sqm and already includes a golf course. The project would, however, have to be significantly amplified and upgraded to meet professional golf standards.
Authorities also plan to ensure the course is a public facility, with private management, and will be one of the top 100 courses in the world.