Planting of grass begins on the Rio 2016 Olympic golf course

The Olympic Golf Course in Barra de Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro is taking shape. On Tuesday 20 May the process of planting grass commenced on the first of the 18 holes, beginning on hole number 8. Grassing is considered to be the final stage of the project and the predicted timeline for grass growth is 11 months.

"We have taken another important step in constructing the Olympic Golf Course today. The planting of grass is the last construction activity for each hole on the course, following the completion of the earthworks, irrigation and finishing," explained Agberto Guimarães, Rio 2016 Director of Sport and Paralympic Integration.

The golf venue, which began construction in April 2013, is considered to be one of the greatest legacies of the 2016 Games. Following the Olympic competitions, it will be opened to the public and will become the first public golf course in the city of Rio, contributing to the popularization of the sport, which is returning to the Olympic programme after 112 years.

Course Designer Gil Hanse said: "The start of the grassing phase for the Olympic golf course is an important event in the development of the course. We are excited to begin this phase and to focus on the detail and craftsmanship that will make this a special golf course."

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