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The Ituzaingo Golf Club was founded in 1919 by Guillermo Sere who became its first President. Situated in San Antonio de Padua, it was called Ituzaingo Golf Club because at that time Ituzaingo was the nearest railway station. Golfers used to get off the train and reach the golf links on horseback. As many of their first members were Englishmen working for the railway company, a new station was soon built just opposite its building, having taken the name of the place: San Antonio de Padua. Last year the old building was sold and a magnificent new club house was built just one block behind the old one. The main reason for this was to offer the members more modern and better facilities. This Golf Club is recognized as one of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. As soon as the security guard opened the iron gate and we stepped in, we realized it's a place for wealthy people since the parking lot was full of expensive and luxurious cars such as BMW, Alfa Romeo, etc. We headed for the club house which stands on the top of a hill and, as we were going up the cobble stone steps we could have a full view of the building which, with its brick and cobble stone walls, red tile roof, panoramic windows, carved wood gate and a little iron bridge on the left side, looked like a magical castle. The old red, blue and green emblem with the letters I G C stands out just above the main entrance. It is surrounded by all kinds of trees, eucalyptus, oaks, cypresses, and little dark green bushes and shrubs. Although there are no flowers, we can't say we missed their fragance because the air was filled with the smell of eucalyptus, wet soil and just mowed grass.
The gate opens to an enormous lounge with comfortable armchairs and sofas with pink flowers, placed around a small wood and glass table. On the left side there is a cupboard with cups, trophies, golf magazines and swords, one of which seemed to have belonged to a Samurai, and a huge fireplace with a wooden mantelpiece. There is a playroom next to the lounge with several card tables where the members can engage in a relaxing card game at the end of the day. In both, the lounge and the playroom, there are panoramic windows from side to side looking on to the golf course. We thought we could spend hours gazing at the narrow fairways lined with beautiful tall pines and graceful black oaks, chestnuts and firs. We moved on to the bar, which was empty at the moment. However, some golfers must have been sitting round a table, drinking and talking a few minutes before. One of them had left his cap on the chair. This is the only place that has rubber floor, the rest of the building has wooden floor. We could read on the walls that this is also the only place in which members can use golf shoes. When they go into the lounge they have to change them to avoid damaging the floor.
We walked through the bar door and stood for a few minutes on its beautiful veranda overlooking the links. This is an ideal place for relaxation and, a few metres in front of us, a sprinkler watering one of the greens seemed to invite us for a refreshing shower on that green velvet carpet. The warm breeze and the splashing of the water made us feel nature itself in our bodies. The golfers, in their colourful sport gear, playing, carrying their heavy golf sacks or pulling their charts looked tiny in the distance. While we were enjoying all this something strange happened: a golf cart passed just in front of us, making its way to the links but nobody was holding it. It seemed as if the invisible man was dragging it. We couldn't understand it at first. It wasn't the invisible man of course, it was operated by remote control! We then strolled for a few minutes in the golf course and when we returned we saw on our right a swimming pool and two tennis courts. Sometimes golfers bring their families to the club and while they are playing, the rest of the family can play an invigorating set of tennis followed by a refreshing dive in the pool.
Now that we have visited it, we can say that it is, by far, the most beautiful spot in our city.
Natalia Ojeda, Julieta Guerra, Agustin Nigro, Martin Cerdeira, Carolina Monena, Laura Aller
6th. Adolescents
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