Lagunita

The much-underrated American designer Dick Wilson was the man who constructed the course at La Lagunita Country Club and it was completed in 1964, the year before he died, aged 61.

Widely regarded as one of the best architects of the post World War II era, alcoholism unfortunately curtailed his golfing work, and indeed, his life.

Best known for his work at Doral (Blue Monster), Royal Montreal and Cog Hill (No.4), Dick was an innovative and bold designer who unfortunately lived in the shadow of his great architectural competitor Robert Trent Jones.

Many of Wilson’s respected contemporaries believe his legacy would have been even greater than that of his rival if he had not succumbed to the demon drink.

Constructed in the fashionable Caracas suburb of El Hatillo, the par 70, 6954-yard course at the Lagunita Country Club first hosted the Venezuelan Open in 1979 when it was won by Tony Jacklin. Ronan Rafferty also triumphed three years later and the event – often called the Caracas Open – has been held here on several occasions since then.

The prestigious World Cup of Golf was also staged at Lagunita in 1974 when the 2-man team event was won by the South African pairing of Bobby Cole and Dale Hayes.

The club also hosted the world amateur team championships for men and women in 1986 when Canada won the gents event and Spain triumphed in the ladies competition.