A Wild Kingdom of Golf in Rio

(ATR) Capybaras, alligators, snakes, owls and a varied assortment of birds inhabit the grounds of the recently completed Reserva de Marapendi Olympic Golf Course fascinating golfers as they prepare to play for medals.

Italian golfer Matteo Manaserro encountered a capybara – the world’s largest rodent which can weigh 100 pounds and stand two feet in height – sitting alongside the lake on the fifth hole during a practice round.

"I’ve seen a strange animal – it looks like a small, hairy hippo," said Manassero with a look of bewilderment on his face.

Brazilian Adilson Da Silva also played in the presence of exotic birds and other furry creatures.

"I saw one or two owls out here, lots of birds, small animals – it’s a beautiful place," Da Silva said of Reserva de Marapendi, which was built adjacent to a coastal nature preserve in Barra da Tijuca.

International Golf Federation vice-president Ty Votaw has spent considerable time around the environmentally friendly Gil Hanse designed course.

"There’s owls, birds, snakes, capybara, alligators in the lake," Votaw said. "There are animals on every hole."

"There’s an owl’s nest that’s in the bunker off the first tee or 18th fairway coming back the other way," he said.

Votaw pondered what the ruling would be should a ball land in one of the nests, surmising that a ball drop outside should probably be awarded.

"It’s a burrowed nest – so if the ball lands in there – if it’s a burrowing animals nest or a hole, you can get relief," he said.

The 18-hole links style course, which was developed alongside the Marapendi coastal nature preserve and was delayed by economic and environmental challenges, received honors from both the Golf Environment Organization and Golf Digest Magazine for its commitment and contribution to protect the environment.

"It’s contrary to some of the worries - this has actually been a very productive and additive experience for the wildlife around here," Votaw said, noting that adjustments needed to be made on holes 13, 14, and 15 to ensure that the environmental impact was minimized

"We took great pains that the vegetation which was native to this piece of property – if we had to move something we carefully transplanted it to a place where it can continue [to grow].

Votaw advised that the capybara became a bit of an irritant during preparations and work on the course.

"The agronomy staff would see scratch marks along the fringe of the putting surface," Votaw said," noting that fortunately the capybara couldn’t sink their teeth into the well-trimmed greens. He noted that fences were installed along the perimeter of the course near Marapendi Lake to try and keep the rodents out.

Whereas the capybara have been a slight nuisance and the owls add a unique twist to the course, Brazilian golfer Victoria Lovelady witnessed something not quite as warm and fuzzy.

The outgoing and friendly female golfer watched a fight between two vultures during one of her practice rounds.

"It should be very interesting if it happens while we’re playing the tournament," she said.

Written by Brian Pinelliat Reserva de Marapendi

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