(Newsroom Panama) Golf has long been a magnet for tourists and, in Panama,for potential new residents, helping to boost the real estate market in places like Panama City, Coronado , Altos del Golf, Brisas Del Mar and Boquete.
Mark Twain once wrote: “Golf is a good country walk spoiled.” But, most golfers will tell you that once you have learned not to hook the ball (most of the time) you are hooked for life. And anyhow, most use carts.
Panama ranks third in the region, including Colombia with 12 operating golf courses and two more under construction. But Panama has more golf courses per capita than Colombia with nearly 3.5 per million inhabitants, while Colombia has only one per million
Countries like Cuba have been quick to jump on the golf-cart bandwagon, announcing the construction of golf courses to strengthen their tourism, and the Dominican Republic is busy promoting its golf facilities to European audiences.
There are differing views on how to get more tourists to visit Panama for the sport, some, like Roberto Vallarino, president of the Panamanian Golf Association believing the only way to attract more players to Panama is through international tournaments.
Others believe tour operators and hotels should create attractive golf packages
A few weeks ago Panama’s Nationwide Golf tour attracted more than 100 top golfers with the final being played in May at the Royal Decameron Club.
Meanwhile the sport is creating a growing job market and a demand for skilled labor to maintain the courses. It is estimated that each 18 hole stretch of turf needs a minimum of 50 workers, including gardeners and operators of mowing equipment and not counting caddies and staff at the 19th hole, pros and management.
Last year, Panama’s private sector, linked with the National Institute of Vocational Training and trained 400 people in course maintenance with a high percentage of graduates being hired.
Golf, in spite of Mark Twain at his crustiest, is here to stay, and benefits not only the players.