Rio 2016 reveals design of first Olympic golf course in over a century

The Rio 2016 Organising Committee has selected Hanse Golf Course Design to design the Olympic golf course in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Games, when the sport returns to the Olympic programme for the first time since 1904.

The course will be built at Reserva de Marapendi in Barra da Tijuca – the district that will contain the largest number of Games venues – located approximately five kilometres from the Athletes’ Village and seven kilometres from the Main Press Centre (MPC) and the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). After the 2016 Olympic Games, the course will be used as a public facility with the chief purpose of promoting golf in Brazil, representing one of the most important Olympic Games legacies for sport development in the country.

Hanse Golf Course Design was selected from eight finalists as the candidate that most aptly met the selection criteria that were issued by Rio 2016. The proposal was cited for its design characteristics, including accentuation of the natural dune formations and retention of the natural contours of the land.

The company boasts a portfolio of internationally renowned golf courses, recognised by elite and amateur golfers alike, and has teamed up with LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member Amy Alcott for the project.

“As it marks the return of golf to the Olympic Games after over a century of absence, this course represents the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the sport. It will enable Rio to host important events in the international calendar and it will be an example of sustainability and preservation of an environmentally protected area,” said the President of Rio 2016, Carlos Arthur Nuzman. “This course will be an excellent facility for the practice and development of golf and will inspire millions of youth across Brazil and the globe. We look forward to welcoming the athletes and spectators to the course in 2016.”

Peter Dawson, President of the International Golf Federation, added: “The IGF would like to thank all of the architects who worked so hard on their bids and whose presentations demonstrated great vision.  The selection process adopted by Rio 2016 was extremely thorough and reflected the importance of the project. I am delighted Hanse Golf Course Design has been appointed to design the Olympic golf course which promises to provide an outstanding venue for the Games and a tremendous legacy for our sport in Brazil.”

Conceptual Grassing Plan prepared for Rio 2016 Organising Committee (Hanse Golf Course Design)