The ongoing dilemma involving the selection of a golf course in Rio de Janeiro suitable to host the 2016 Olympics golf tournament may soon lead to opportunities for specialists in golf course design and construction and related services.
The initial plan to use the existing Itanhangá Golf Club close to the Barra da Tijuca region of the city, where the bulk of Olympics facilities will be located, has been discarded in favour of the development of a new course as part of a major residential complex just a few kilometres away.
Rio´s mayor, Eduardo Paes, announced the alteration earlier this week following a range of negative reports on the suitability of the Itanhangá facility by various groups including golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, who is keen to be involved with the introduction of golf into the Olympic regime to ensure the continued development of the sport around the world,
With the selection of the Riserva Uno residential complex for the location of the course now settled, the International Golf Federation will begin the process of selecting a design and construction team to handle the project. This process is expected to begin over the coming weeks.
According to reports, up to 15 groups have already expressed interest in the project, while Nicklaus himself has offered his design services free of charge.