18-05-2025
Bolivian ‘cholitas' play high altitude golf
Cholitas Nelicia, Theresa, Martha and Patricia, who work as groundskeepers at La Paz Golf Club
On Mondays, when the course is closed for maintenance, the women regularly enjoy a round of golf
The 18-hole course sits 3,600 meters above sea level and is one of the highest in the world
It is built into the dramatic Valle de la Luna , (Moon Valley), where sandstone mountains have eroded over time to produce a lunar-like landscape
Theresa Zarate and Martha Mamani, both natives of the city of Oruro, have been working for more than a decade at the club
The original La Paz golf course was founded in 1912 by British railway workers employed on the construction of roads, bridges and tracks through the Andes
The existing course was built 10 miles away in Mallasilla in the 1940s
Cholitas, indigenous Aymara and Quechua women, are known for their distinctive traditional dress, which includes wide skirts, bowler hats, and braided hair
For many years, the group were marginalised and discriminated against, with their clothing seen as a sign of a lower social status
It is a rare sight to see the women on a golf course, which has traditionally been seen as an elitist sport
In recent years, attitudes in Bolvia have changed and cholitas have gained a newfound respect and admiration for their strength and resilience
The groundsworkers keep the lush green fairways meticulously maintained while surrounded by a canyon and the snowcapped Andes
The altitude allows you to hit the ball a lot further than you would closer to sea level, but the thin air also means you'll probably need a caddie to help you round the course
The terrain is best viewed at the 12th hole, where the island tee box is reached by two bridges
Theresa takes a shot on the course at La Paz Golf Club
