Golf has a tumultuous history in Cuba, with the rise of Fidel Castro in 1959 leading to the closure of most of the country’s courses and the end of U.S.-Cuban ties. Despite this, golf has continued in a state of suspended animation on the island, with limited facilities and few players. The Havana Golf Club, the only remaining course in the country that predates the revolution, operates as a time capsule catering mostly to elites and expats. The lack of golf culture in Cuba has made it challenging for the sport to thrive on the island.
Foreign developers have been eyeing opportunities to build golf courses on Cuba’s unspoiled coastline, with nearly a dozen projects in the pipeline. These developers are navigating Cuban laws that prohibit land ownership, presenting challenges to their plans. Despite these hurdles, there is optimism that golf’s fortunes in Cuba are about to change, with expectations of new courses opening in the next few years. However, skepticism remains among some observers, who have seen similar promises of golf development in the past go unfulfilled.
The rich history of golf in pre-revolution Cuba is remembered through events like the Havana Invitational, which attracted top players and celebrities to the island. However, the political climate shifted with the rise of Castro, leading to the closure of golf courses and the erasure of golfing events from official records. The infamous golf match between Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in 1961 at Colinas de Villareal was a political spectacle rather than a sporting event, showcasing the regime’s stance on the game.
Despite the limitations on golf in Cuba, some efforts have been made to promote the sport, particularly at the Varadero Golf Club, a popular destination for tourists. The club, which receives most of its rounds from Canadian visitors, faces challenges in expanding the game locally due to economic and political restrictions. Inefficiencies in acquiring golf equipment and the lack of a national golf association hinder efforts to develop the game further on the island.
Foreign development companies like Leisure Canada and British-based Esencia Hotel & Resorts are leading initiatives to build golf resorts in Cuba, with projects in various stages of development. These ventures face bureaucratic challenges and uncertainties but are driven by the potential of Cuba’s growing tourist industry. Optimism surrounds the future of golf in Cuba, with hopes that the country’s changing climate towards outside investment will pave the way for new opportunities in the sport.
The Havana Golf Club remains a symbol of golf’s past in Cuba, operating in a state of suspended animation with limited facilities and few players. The pro shop, once operated by the British embassy, is now run by the government but remains removed from contemporary sports culture. Despite the challenges and limitations, Johan Vega, the club’s head pro, continues to work diligently to keep the game alive on the island, emphasizing the importance of being content with what matters most in life.
