Construction of Steve Smyers Golf Course Architects’ first course in South America is expected to be completed later this year.

Located on the Pacific coast of Ecuador, Costa Jama will be home to a par-72 18-hole course that measures ­­­­from 7,600 yards to approximately 5,000 yards from the various tees. 

The clubhouse for the new course lies just three miles south of the equator, and Smyers described the site as having a ‘diverse landscape’ in a conversation with GCA.

The course’s three finishing holes are right on the oceanfront, with other holes working their way through heavily forested land and grassy savannah. One hole also plays along the Rio Jama River.  

The design incorporates one of the largest practice facilities in South America, and Smyers and his team has placed strong emphasis on water conservation and environmental sustainability.

The site will also be home to a five-star hotel and resort community.

With the opening of Costa Jama, Smyers’ firm will have completed projects on six continents globally. The course is set to open in mid-2015.