LUGARES MAGAZINE Nro. 46
Page. 48 - 51
By: Rossana Acquasanta


The 9 holes of the brand new golf course, Los Chorrillos, are spread over 25 hectares. It is a challenging course with hills, water hazards, waterfalls and forested corners. Nevertheless a couple of lessons with Carlitos, a young Tucumano professional, are enough to give one golf fever.

From San Miguel it takes less than an hour and a half on roads that either cross the Rio Nío nine times or pass through the forest beyond the town of Burruyacu. Wild and hilly, this territory is filled with forests, rivers and wildlife such as foxes, wild pigs, snakes, parrots, ducks and vultures among others. Some also claim to have seen honey bears and the "fake monkey" - in reality another type of small bear.

In this region there are still archaeological fragments to be found. At Los Chorrillos the visitor will be well looked after while immersed in the surrounding nature, which can be observed but not touched - hunting is prohibited.

The original house was built in 1908 and has been cleverly refurbished by Juan Pablo Molina, who filled it with windows overlooking the surrounding scenery. The winter garden is charming, there are fireplaces in the living room and playroom and each room boasts the good taste of Veronica Pasquini and Hortensia Ibarreche who were responsible for the interior decor. The rooms are large with comfortable beds and there are two suites with balconies overlooking the stream, which leads to the pond, home to wild ducks. There is also a conference room, a gymnasium and a sauna. The cuisine is a blend of the traditional and more modern gourmet dishes accompanied by good Argentine wines.

In the grounds there is a chapel, swimming pool, tennis court, football pitch and corrals holding some of the 2,800 head of cattle. There is also a small school of 60 children, all from local families.

The par 70 golf course was built by Frankie Bunge Guerrico and Juan Carlos Peña and the complex is managed by Massimo Ianni's company Creative Concepts under the general management of Maximiliano Broquen, a lovely chap.

Los Chorrillos borders the La Candelaria village to the north, the Nío River to the south, mount Del Campo to the east and Mount Medina to the west. The climate is sub-tropical with a short dry winter - the high season here. During the day the temperature varies between 22 and 25C but at night can drop to 2C. September brings the "Zonda" wind, sometimes followed by snow, and in the summer the maximum temperature can reach 35C.

As well as golf, other activities include mountain biking and trekking through the surrounding hills. There is a horse drawn carriage and pony treks organised by Hernán Uriburu. Night-time entertainment includes a ride into the hills for a barbecue around a bonfire, under the star-lit sky whilst guitars play. However you must go well equipped so that the cold does not spoil the fun.