Golf architecture firm Pizá Golf has completed its renovation project at Briceño 18 Golf Course in Bogatá, Colombia, redesigning all 18 holes.
Pizá Golf initially became involved in the project when they were recommended to owner William Vinasco. Its team was flown in to view the existing course, which had several drainage issues.
“We discussed irrigation and functionality in general, and I also spoke to him about making aesthetic and strategic changes to the overall playability,” said Agustín Pizá. “He accepted my ideas, and we took over the wheel. I was actually very excited since it is the home course of Sebastian Muñoz, Colombia’s highest ranked tour player. I can’t wait for him to play on his new course.”
Briceño 18 is one of the longest golf courses in Colombia, measuring 7,400 yards long and playing to a par 72. The front nine offers views of the forest and surrounding mountains, while the back nine is a links-style with low shrubs and wide greens.
“All bunkers were redone from the ground up to make them drain properly,” explained Pizá. “Others were removed or relocated to create a wider, safer and friendlier catch area for the weaker player, while they were placed, narrowed and encroached on the lower handicap landing area. A few trees were also removed to create better openings and flow.
“At the end of the project, we created landforms to enhance body and volume, as well as to produce morning and afternoon shade effects. The thirteenth has become a pretty cool island green, with a huge number 13 sculpture in the back.”
Work on the course began on 20 September 2019 and concluded on 15 October 2020. However, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic meant that the nearby El Dorado International Airport was completely shut down for six months, forcing Pizá to supervise the project from a distance.
“This is the first time I did not supervise the way I like to,” he said. “But I have to admit that the work done via online visits by my good and reliable construction superintendent Ruben Arenas was superb. The trust that I had with him, as he stayed back to finish the job completely isolated from his family and friends, will bond us for life. I feel very proud of our work at Briceño 18 and can’t thank our client enough for their trust.”