Fazenda da Grama

American architect Brian Costello laid out the 18 holes of the Fazenda da Grama course in 2006 within a residential estate that's situated an hour's drive from downtown São Paulo. The County Club also offers all the usual sporting activities – pool, tennis and fitness centre – expected at such a venue.

The downhill first hole is generously proportioned, offering a potential birdie start to the round. Such a benign opener should not lull golfers into a false sense of security, as there are many testing holes to come, especially at the 7th, 8th and 375-yard 12th as water comes into play on each of these holes.

A bunker restoration program was carried out in 2010 because the new course had struggled in the Brazilian rainforest climate with contamination and washouts, particularly in the rainy season. The new bunker-lining and drainage system is intended to reduce costs of labour and materials in maintaining the sand traps.

Course architect, Brian Costello, provided the following article: The golf club is located less than 1 hour from the perimeter of Sâo Paulo in the town of Itupeva. This new golf course opened for play in early 2006 and is the centerpiece for this prestigious gated residential community. The private 18-hole, 7,123-yard layout is situated within a natural amphitheater-like setting with the large estate homes surrounding the core course at the higher elevations.

The golf experience begins at the magnificent plantation-style clubhouse that sits atop a ridge that offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains as well as the panorama of golf holes and the large signature lake below. The golf course was designed with a strategic design philosophy in mind. With four sets of tees, golfers at all levels of ability will find a rewarding and enjoyable golf experience. Most golf holes offer a conservative route of play and conversely a more aggressive line of attack.

The golf course was also designed with “environmental stewardship” in mind to blend harmoniously into the setting and create a “green-space oasis” in the midst of the residential community. The golf environment was enhanced with colorful native trees and vegetation, meandering creeks and several large lakes that are carefully integrated into the strategy of the golf holes. The site featured existing rock promontories which were preserved and serve as backdrops for greens or accents at tee grounds on several holes.