Uruguay is the second smallest nation in South America, with a population of under 4 million people, winning its independence in 1828, following a three-way struggle between colonial masters Spain, neighbouring Brazil and Argentina.

Small wonder then, with these connections, that football is the main sporting passion in Uruguay and the country has won the World Cup twice, in 1930 and 1950. The economy is largely dependent on agriculture but the government has made great strides in recent years to encourage tourism and golf has a large part to play in attracting visitors to Uruguay’s expanding resort areas.

The Randy Thompson and Kelly Moran-designed golf course at Carmelo rocketed to the Uruguayan No.1 position soon after it opened in 2000 but Club de Golf del Uruguay is considered by many to be the country’s premier course. According to the Asociación Uruguaya de Golf there are currently 11 golf clubs affiliated to the union.

In 2012, the Arnold Palmer Design Company installed nine holes at the Fasano Las Piedras in Punta del Este before returning in 2020 to construct another nine to tie into a newly completed hotel .