Golfing in North East Brasil

[michaelbush]

Hi JM
That was constructive comment. My main concern is how they will maintain the courses if there are not enough golfers using the facilities. Also there are so many courses planned. If people want to play golf here, I think they may play once and realise that it is too uncomfortable. The clubhouse will be the only place to be! Maybe the answer is to only have 9 hole courses, and as previously suggested some practice facilities which can be covered. I expected quite a deluge of responses, but I guess the lack of golfers, interested in Brasil, may say it all!

[JMBroad]

Surprised GW hasn't posted yet to be honest.

The number of courses is concerning, however there are two golf courses in Madeira and 250k people living on the island, whereas there are almost 800k living in natal alone, nevermind the new developments and the rest of Rio Grande do Norte.

When the second golf course opened in Madeira, some locals thought it was a great idea, because that nice flat patch of grass was a great place to park the jeep while the family had a picnic. They probably assumed that the flag on that flat piece of grass was a marker indicating where the cars should be parked. That gives you an idea about how well known the sport was on the island when the course opened.

Today a lot more locals have joined the expats and holidaymakers in playing golf. Whether the same thing can or will happen in Brazil of course is a totally different matter.

[michaelbush]

Well, I understand what you are saying, but here in Natal, of the 800k or so Brasilians 25% are under the age of 14, probably 65% or more are female, and I have not met one Brasilian male (or female) interested in the game. If you go south to Salvadore, and much further south to the temperate climate zones, then the story is very different. GS used Ronaldo for their publicity - he is not Natalese! I dont know if he plays golf, but if he does he probably played in the south of Brasil, and in Spain. Since there are no courses yet in the NE there has to be a good reason. My point was that the European developers have not properly researched the business model they would use for Spain or Portugal for example, for this area where the climate conditions have not encouraged the construction previously of even one course.

[beenthere]

Originally Posted by michaelbush

Well, I understand what you are saying, but here in Natal, of the 800k or so Brasilians 25% are under the age of 14, probably 65% or more are female, and I have not met one Brasilian male (or female) interested in the game. If you go south to Salvadore, and much further south to the temperate climate zones, then the story is very different. GS used Ronaldo for their publicity - he is not Natalese! I dont know if he plays golf, but if he does he probably played in the south of Brasil, and in Spain. Since there are no courses yet in the NE there has to be a good reason. My point was that the European developers have not properly researched the business model they would use for Spain or Portugal for example, for this area where the climate conditions have not encouraged the construction previously of even one course.

I don't think the courses are being built for the locals, which is pretty obvious to most people. The climate is not much different from Florida and is in fact a hell of lot less humid than Florida where loads of people play golf all year round.

Funny how you forgot to mention that no Spanish or Portuguese played golf when the first courses were built there, and I would also say that Spanish and Portuguese are not the main clientèle at said courses today.

Anyway what is your point, you sell property in the area, but you slag it off at the same time. This to me says you are selling something that you don't believe in, which means you are probably the worst type of salesman to ever meet.

[michaelbush]

[.

Anyway what is your point, you sell property in the area, but you slag it off at the same time. This to me says you are selling something that you don't believe in, which means you are probably the worst type of salesman to ever meet.[/QUOTE]

Well I thought the thread might be controversial but I did not expect personal attack!! Naturally the courses are not for the locals- they dont play and probably would not in this climate. The climate here is tropical/equatorial and the humidity is not lower than Florida which is much greater distant from the equator.

Where have I slagged off the area? I live here- do you? As for being the worst type of salesperson to meet, I think you, Been there, seen it, done it, are the type of know-it-all, self opinionated bigot, that everyone would like to meet!! I do not need to sell to live and thus can give clients an unbiased independent view.

[beenthere]

Originally Posted by michaelbush

I think you, Been there, seen it, done it, are the type of know-it-all, self opinionated bigot, that everyone would like to meet!!

Excellent, I have taken the title from Golfxxxx.

[Golfingworld]

Brazil golf...it is a selling point that's all..it is done to get planning permission for developments only. Brazilians know nothing about golf, certainly not in the NE. Golf there will be a novelty nothing more,but they will let anyone play, take their money and for proper golfers it will be a nightmare. There is also the robbery risk on unsecured courses, happens a lot on South Africa. And, don;t forget..can you imagine the rip off price to get your clubs there???? Golf in Brazil will be a joke and it is not a golfing destination for Europeans....groups of golfers take 3/4 days only not 2 weeks holiday and if they do it will be in an all inclusive hotel ..plus golfers like after hours entertainment and there is plenty of that in brazil but not in North Natal..plus how you going to explain that to the wife? Brazil for a golfing break with the boys luv? You are kidding aren't you!

[michaelbush]

Excellent Golfing! At last a contribution for someone who does play golf! You are quite right- golfers do go off for a 3 or 4 day break not a vacation, and long-haul would not usually be an option. This morning at 10 am it was 34 deg. C here in Natal! It is 6.40pm now and dark! If I had a few million to invest in building a new golf course I certainly would not do it in NE Brasil or in any other tropical\equatorial zone. There are so many courses planned I think all the developers are waiting for the others to start so they can see if it is viable for them. That way none will get built for some time- same happened inSpain- use the tag "and there will a golf course just 2 minutes away" included in the publicity and everyone gets excited. Most never get built!
Anyway GW - any views on the viability of providing some sheltered practice facilities?

[deedee1]

Hi all,

As much as I do appreciate the debates and varied comments on here I just dont understand why some cannot see the bigger picture sometimes???

I mean the comments on "TOO HOT TO PLAY GOLF" I understand- But then why do people STILL play golf in very similar conditions at very expensive prices in the caribbean, mexico, egypt even dubai!!!!!! AND BELIEVE ME THATS HOT AND DEFINATELY UNBEARABLE!!

Also the average round of golf in these places especially the caribbean will set you back about £100-140 a round- BUT MANY STILL PUT UP WITH THE HEAT AND PAY THE EXTORTIONATE COSTS FOR A SINGLE ROUND!!!!

Are you telling me that all these golfers are either a figment of my imagination or nuts or just plain stupid or all of the above????

Food for thought!!!!

Take care-D

[Golfingworld]

Golf wont work in Brazil..I am not going to apy an airline £100 to take my clubs there. It is only there to get planning permission. There will be no proper golf club or competition structure. It is too far and too costly and not a short break destination. nice to live on a golf course but they wont be built properly too costly on sand....plus there are no tourist companies there to organise things..it will take years and years.