There is an interesting historical photo of Che’ and Fidel, bearded and dressed in their trademark guerilla fatigues with black thick rimmed eyeglasses, playing a “final round” of golf in Cuba prior to almost all Cuban golf courses being bulldozed after the 1959 revolution. Che’ Guevara, perhaps because he was a physician in his early years, absolutely loved golf (and motorcycles…big ones!). But, golf was an “U.S.A.” capitalist thing (along with cigars) that needed be purged in socialist Cuba.
For decades, only a few golf courses remained in Cuba. Varadero, Habana, and the “off limits” course at the Guantanamo Naval Air Station could be counted on the fingers of one hand. In 1998, Cuba finally recognized and acted upon the requirements by tourists for recreational activities (other than reviewing the memorabilia of the Revolution) such as golf, tennis, water sports, etc.
In true capitalist fashion, in the pursuit of “hard currency”, Cuba has planned a systematic “rollout” of spanking new 18 hole golf courses throughout Cuba to satisfy tourist demands. Canadian and Scottish companies are involved in the Cuban joint venture.
The history of golf in Cuba includes high profile visits by the “great players of golf” during the 1940s through 1950s. Photos of these international golf celebrities decorated the “club houses” in Cuba.
Golf CUBA© intends to bring to the Internet community (www.golfcuba.com) and general public, through print media, all future developments of golf in Cuba. We do not offer travel to Cuba for recreational activities, at this time, since we are U.S.A. based. Informational items and historical comments and photos will be appreciated for future issues.
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