Cantegril Country Club
Cantegril Country Club is the established golf address of Punta del Este, Uruguay's glamorous Atlantic resort. A mature par 71 laid out by Luther Koontz, it sits a short drive from the beaches and nightlife of the peninsula and welcomes visitors as well as members, making it an easy round on a South American coastal holiday.
Photo: Sergio Chiappetta via Google.
The verdict
Golf came early to Punta del Este, with a nine hole course on the site as far back as 1929. The club as golfers know it took shape in the 1940s, when the American architect Luther Koontz laid out the layout and expanded it to 18 holes in 1947. Koontz, who had worked alongside Alister MacKenzie during the architect's visits to South America, gave Cantegril a classical parkland character that has matured over the decades, with green replacements by Emilio Serra near the end of the 1990s.
The course plays to a par 71 of about 6,416 yards, a comfortable, tree lined test rather than a championship monster, which suits its role perfectly. Punta del Este is a summer playground of beaches, restaurants and nightlife, and Cantegril is the round that fits naturally into a resort holiday. Unlike the private capital clubs of the region, it welcomes visitors, making it one of the most accessible good courses on this stretch of coast.
Cantegril Country Club at a glance
- Golf since
- 1929, 18 holes 1947
- Designer
- Luther Koontz
- Type
- Classic parkland, 18 holes
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,416 yds
- Access
- Members, guests and visitors
Design history, par and yardage verified June 2026 against Top 100 Golf Courses and leading databases. A nine hole course dated to 1929; Luther Koontz laid out and expanded the course to 18 holes in 1947, with green replacements by Emilio Serra in the late 1990s, and it plays to a par 71 of about 6,416 yards. Green fees move with the season and are highest in the southern summer, so treat any quote as indicative for the 2026 season and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Cantegril is a mature parkland whose defense is its trees and its subtlety rather than sheer length. Decades of growth have framed the holes with established timber, leaving tidy driving lines that reward a positioned tee shot and punish the wayward one with awkward recoveries from among the trunks.
The greens, refreshed by Emilio Serra at the end of the 1990s, are the heart of the test, firm and gently contoured and asking for a thoughtful approach from the correct angle. It is a course that flatters the steady, accurate player and rewards good course management over raw power.
What makes it special is the context. This is the golf of Punta del Este, a glamorous resort coast where the round slots between beach days and long dinners. Accessible, walkable and full of character, Cantegril is the easy pleasure of a Uruguayan summer holiday.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to members, their guests and visitors; among the more accessible good courses on the Punta del Este coast |
| Green fee | Moves with the season and is highest in the southern summer; indicative for the 2026 season, confirm directly before booking |
| Season | Busiest from December to February in the southern summer; spring and autumn are quieter and very pleasant for golf |
| Getting there | In Punta del Este in the Maldonado department, a short drive from the peninsula and beaches, about two hours from Montevideo |
| On the day | Carts and caddies are typically available; dress to a smart standard and book ahead in peak summer |
| Pair it with | A Punta del Este beach holiday, or the courses of Buenos Aires a short ferry and flight across the River Plate |
Access and fees verified June 2026; Cantegril's rates change with the season and demand peaks in the southern summer, so always confirm the current green fee and availability directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Punta del Este offers everything from grand beachfront hotels to boutique stays and rentals across the peninsula and the quieter sands of La Barra and Jose Ignacio. A base near the beaches keeps the course, the sea and the resort's restaurants and nightlife all within an easy drive.
Many traveling golfers combine Punta del Este with Buenos Aires, a short ferry and flight across the River Plate, pairing the relaxed Uruguayan coast with the great private clubs of the Argentine capital. Together they make a varied South American golf and city trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Punta del Este and the Maldonado coast.
Plan a Punta del Este golf trip
We pair Cantegril with the beaches of Punta del Este and can add the great courses of Buenos Aires across the River Plate, arranging the tee times, transfers and lodging. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Cantegril Country Club questions
Who designed Cantegril Country Club?
The American architect Luther Koontz laid out the course and expanded it to 18 holes in 1947, building on a nine hole course that dated to 1929. Emilio Serra replaced the greens near the end of the 1990s.
What is the par and length of Cantegril?
Cantegril plays to a par 71 of about 6,416 yards. It is a mature, tree lined parkland that rewards accuracy and good course management rather than raw length.
Can visitors play Cantegril Country Club?
Yes. Unlike the private capital clubs of the region, Cantegril welcomes members, guests and visitors, which makes it one of the more accessible good courses on the Punta del Este coast. Confirm tee times and fees directly before booking.
When is the best time to play Cantegril?
The southern summer from December to February is the liveliest and warmest but also the busiest and most expensive. Spring and autumn are quieter and very pleasant for golf, with lower demand on the tee sheet.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Design history, par and yardage verified June 2026. Green fees are indicative and move with the season; confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.