Pelecanus: Welcome to Colombia

Golf’s origins date back to ancient Rome, where people played with a curved stick and a feather-filled ball. The word “golf” comes from the Dutch kolf, meaning “club.” The sport took shape in 15th-century Scotland, where its growing popularity even led King James II to ban it temporarily, fearing it distracted soldiers from archery—though the ban failed, and golf flourished. By the 17th century, it had spread to England, and by 1744, associations like the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and the St. Andrews Society formalized its first rules. The 1860 British Open marked golf’s first major championship, paving the way for global expansion with the founding of Spain’s first club in Las Palmas (1895) and the creation of the USGA (1894) in the United States, which soon organized landmark tournaments such as the U.S. Open and Women’s Amateur Championship.

How Golf Arrived in Colombia

Golf reached Colombia in the early 20th century, brought from Paris by Carlos A. de Vengoechea, who arrived in Bogotá carrying a trunk filled with golf balls and clubs. Together with a group of British residents, he introduced the sport and helped establish Colombia’s first 9-hole course at the Bogotá Country Club, founded in 1917. As the game grew in popularity, new clubs emerged — the Club Campestre de Cali, founded in 1930, and the Club Campestre de Medellín, founded in 1945, expanding the sport’s reach to other major cities. Initially seen as a pastime of the elite, golf was confined to exclusive memberships and social circles. Over time, however, it began opening its doors to passionate players of all ages. Today, while golf in Colombia still retains its prestige, it is increasingly viewed not just as a luxury, but as a bridge for wellness, networking, and cultural connection.

Development of Golf in Colombia

In the 1990s, the Colombian Association of Professional Golfers (ACPG)—also known as PGA Colombia—was founded to strengthen professional play and support the development of local talent through national and international tournaments. The activity and prestige of the Bogotá Country Club inspired other clubs to follow, such as the Club Campestre de Cali, where the Colombian Golf Federation was eventually founded. 

A key milestone came in 2007 with the first Colombian Open, which drew players from around the world and positioned Colombia as a rising golf destination in Latin America. Today, this event is one of the continent’s most anticipated tournaments. Currently, Colombia boasts over 50 golf courses, many hosting local championships and qualifiers for national events. Golf is no longer seen as a luxury—it’s now a bridge for wellness, networking, and cultural connection. 

Influential Golf Clubs in Colombia

Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed throughout Colombia thanks to its many courses, some of which have stood out for hosting major tournaments and for their design, which is intended to provide a good sporting experience. Some of these are: 

Country Club (Bogotá)

Founded: 1917, Created by prominent citizens including Joaquín Samper and Carlos A. de Vengoechea, this was the birthplace of golf in Colombia. Initially located on a small property, the club later moved to its current grounds in Contador, expanding its facilities and prestige. Today, the Country Club de Bogotá is a symbol of tradition and excellence. It not only hosts major national and international tournaments but also remains a vibrant social and cultural hub for the city.

Karibana Beach Golf Condominium (Cartagena)

Founded: 2012, Designed by Nicklaus Design, Karibana is Colombia’s only seaside golf course—an 18-hole masterpiece featuring state-of-the-art irrigation systems and Caribbean panoramas. Its grand opening tournament gathered 120 members and welcomed Camilo Villegas as a special guest. Today, Karibana stands as a symbol of luxury golf tourism in Colombia’s Caribbean region.

Club el Rincon de Cajica

Originally founded in 1957 as a 9-hole course, El Rincón de Cajicá later evolved into an 18-hole championship layout designed by the legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. in collaboration with Argentine builder Alberto Serra. Officially completed and inaugurated in 1963, the club quickly became a symbol of prestige and sporting excellence in Colombia. In 1980, it proudly hosted the World Cup of Golf, bringing together top international players and earning global recognition. During the 1980s, El Rincón was ranked among the Top 50 golf courses in the world, solidifying its reputation as one of the finest in Latin America. Surrounded by the serene landscapes of the Bogotá savanna, the club remains an enduring testament to design mastery, tradition, and the enduring spirit of Colombian golf.

Club Campestre de Cali

Founded: 1930, Conceived by banker Thomas Fagan and a group of entrepreneurs, the Club Campestre de Cali merges nature and sport within a sprawling 18-hole course built with Bermuda TifEagle greens—one of South America’s finest. Its facilities cater to golfers of all levels, with professional coaching and a dedicated golf academy for newcomers. The club remains a benchmark for both leisure and professional tournaments across the continent.

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