My Day At The Amazon Golf Course

My Day At The Amazon Golf Course

Guest Post by Barry Brett

This would be a first. I had no real interest in golf. Didn’t know the first thing about it, but the BBQ sounded just fine! I’d run a couple of successful businesses in California and had been invited numerous times to golf clubs. Even knowing that many a good business deal was struck on the golf course, I always turned them down. But this would be different. This would be “Open Day” at the only golf club on the Amazon.

Arriving in a motokaro with my friend Gabriel, we asked the locals for the exact location. We knew we were in the general vicinity. To our amazement it seemed that everyone within two or three kilometers knew where it was! Already the Amazon Golf Course was world famous!

As we approached the entrance I was very impressed with the club house designed by the late Wally Lloyd. The upstairs was well thought out, with plenty of viewing space to look over the greens. Bill Curtis was playing guitar with some friends. The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was having a good time. Even the rest rooms were clean and functional – a rare experience in Iquitos. Out front was a soccer field and tennis court and it goes without saying – A BBQ! The food was excellent.

Oh, and then there was the Golf course! Yes, the golf course; the only one in the Amazon. For a while, a long while, we sat and watched while other more adventurous souls pursued their sporting desires and fantasies. Then there came that moment, that awful moment when all the chips were down and there we were on the field in full view of all the professionals. We were two lonely, nervous, first-time golfers. The club hosts lent us two golf clubs (I think those in the know refer to them as IRONS) and a handful of golf balls. We were all set. It was a lot of fun and now I know to visit the optician before I take my next California Driver’s License Test!

I can see how people can get hooked on the game. It was very personal, reminded me a little of shooting pool. We could have a laugh, little mini-conversations between shots interwoven with moments of absolute total concentration as the club moved thru the arc and hit the ball. You know, that lucky ball that lands close to the hole. Yes, that’s what I said, that LUCKY ONE. Because unfortunately for us both, luck was everything, skill didn’t enter into the picture.

All-in-all it was a very enjoyable experience and I wouldn’t hesitate to take other friends out to the Golf Course in the future, should they desire. As for me, I think I’ll stick to pool. I like to win now and again!

My Day At the Amazon Golf Course

Barry Brett