Brazil visa in hand, now planning to make Uruguay the 15th country visited on the “Journey to Olympic Golf,” then visit Cordoba before heading to Rio de Janeiro on the 7th! I could not have asked (definitely I could not have planned) to have things work out the way they have on this odyssey! Thinking my Portuguese is better than my Spanish but that is like thinking my golf game is better than Frosty’s aka Jeffrey Rothstein… neither of us is going to win The Masters and I am not going to be able to speak the native tongue in Rio… have a TROML day! I am taking a bus to play the public muni golf course in Buenos Aires which I think is very significant and symbolic for the “Journey to Olympic Golf”!!! (-: ps “Don’t Cry for Me United States,” I think the two stiffs I had lunch with at La Bieba’s have something to do with auto racing but Bill Hughes would know that! (-:   (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/30/13)

A full and fun day exploring Buenos Aires and visiting the Eva Peron Museum! Join me in these 62 selected pics of the day!

[Show slideshow]

Good tip, ferry over to Montevideo and play la Club de Golf del Uruguay which dates back to 1922… would become the 14th country on the “Journey to Olympic Golf.” Hopefully I make the right connection! (-:   (Facebook Post Link, Andy Reistetter, 12/28/13)

Flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina this morning… Noon appointment for Brazil visa… thinking to hang near Buenos Aires for New Years then rent a car and go see the Cordoba area. Flexible, leave on the 7th for Rio de Janeiro, please let me know of any golfing, sightseeing, Olympic or lodging opportunities… the “Journey to Olympic Golf” continues…   (Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 12/26/13)

Made it to Buenos Aires, Argentina… Andy flying over the Andes… Beautiful city… “Journey to Olympic Golf” continues… 80th day… 13th country… Jan 7th to Rio de Janeiro… Jan 17th to Orlando for the PGA Show… week there then back home in PVB! Happy New Year of 2014!!! (-:   (Facebook Post 8 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/29/13)

[Show slideshow]

This “Journey to Olympic Golf” has been a spirited personal journey too! I have been in several high, close to Heaven sort of places, the last few weeks… I have met so many warm and giving people these last 75 days beginning at home in Ponte Vedra Beach… these last three pictures I believe tell the eternal story well… when it is hard to light a candle or even say a prayer… there is always HOPE, find that wishing well and may that HOPE be with you this Christmas Day and throughout the New Year of 2014… thanks for being along on this journey with me! Andy (-:   (Facebook Post 15 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/25/13)

Confirmed Thurs Dec 26th Buenos Airies, Mon Jan 6th Rio de Janeiro, Fri Jan 17th Orlando… 11 nights in BA, 11 nights in Rio and I am home to the PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions, aka the PGA Show, in Orlando! Hope to see you there… are you coming??? The “Journey to Olympic Golf” is just beginning! (-:    (Facebook Post Link, Andy Reistetter, 12/25/13)

A fun Christmas with New Yorkers in Santiago, Chile!   (Facebook Shared Toni Day Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 12/25/13)

Merry Christmas from Santiago, Chile!
I hope this finds you happy, healthy and with loved ones during the holidays!

Please make a last minute donation to The First Tee if you haven’t already. We are blessed in the United States to have such a great program to help young people gain the skills and confidence to make a positive difference in the world. I have met many people along the way throughout Latin America working on similar initiatives. Give what you can as every dollar will make a difference!

As for me, I am doing fine. Though alone this Christmas and far from home, I am not lonely. This “Journey to Olympic Golf” has truly been a lifetime experience meeting wonderful people along the way.

My latest handle has been “golf voyager and documentarian.” I have been doing a lot more voyaging than documenting. The website has the latest material.

Here is a quick update. Panama was awesome- came across an ex-Pat bar in Coronado and found a home in Panama City playing the Golf Club of Panama and Santa Maria. Tough decision but left Torch with the Infiniti dealer who is planning to auction her off for junior golf at the Panama Open. The decision was the right one since I don’t think I ever realized how big South America is!

I flew to Cartagena, Colombia and played Karibana, an awesome resort you will likely hear more about soon. Then to Bogota to play Los Legartos. Interviewing German Calle, the golf columnist and broadcaster in Colombia was a thrill and visiting Monserrate truly inspirational. From Bogota I went to Medellin to play Camilo Villegas’ home course. Colombia is a golfing country like no other and I loved meeting the people and visiting the places I did.

On to Lima, Peru to play Los Inkas and Lima Golf Club and, see La Planicie in La Molina. Then on to Santiago, Chile where I played the Los Leones GC this morning with two golfing brothers and had a blast! So much material to process and document, my head is spinning a bit for sure!

On Thursday I fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina and have a Brazil VISA appointment there at noon. The last three plus weeks will be spent in Argentina and Brazil which is where I need to be when it comes to golf history and the Olympics. I will be excited to return home for the PGA Show in Orlando on or around the weekend of January 18th.

I feel like I have experienced Christmas each day of this “Journey to Olympic Golf.” This being the 75th day I am like the kid on Christmas morning every morning. Golf uniquely brings people together in so many positive ways. It seems to me if you are a golfer you are automatically friends with everyone, especially in new places, whether they are golfers or not. One thing this trip has reaffirmed for me is that first we are all citizens of this world and secondly of our country, family, religion, sport and on and on. Yes we are all truly unique and uniquely make up this world… for only a very short period of time.

So in the Christmas spirit, I wish you all good health, joy and happiness! I remember my recently departed “kindred spirited” friend Harry Horton and realize all the good things in life are there for us to enjoy. So celebrate life today and enjoy!

(Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 12/24/13)

Here is what the last month of the “Journey to Olympic Golf” looks like… of course it goes on until the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio… I am looking to arrange golf, lodging and interviews with golfers and Olympians at each stop… please let me know your ideas… thanks! I hope you are excited about the New Year too! Buenos Aires, Argentina (IN Thurs Dec. 26, OUT Thurs Jan 2); Cordoba, Argentina (IN Thurs Jan 2, OUT Mon Jan 6); Buenos Aires, Argentina (IN Mon Jan 6, OUT Tues Jan 7); Rio de Janeiro (IN Tues Jan 7, OUT Fri Jan 17); & Orlando, Florida (IN Fri Jan 17, OUT Sat Jan 25)   (Facebook Post 3 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/23/13)

In Santiago, Chile, Turistik Tour today, play Club de Golf de Los Leones on Tuesday and Merry Christmas to all on Wednesday! Buenos Aires, Argentina on Thursday with Brazil VISA appointment at Noon.. please remember The First Tee in your holiday giving if you can… thanks, Andy   (Facebook Link, Andy Reistetter, 12/23/13)

I am an American flying from Santiago to Buenos Aires, Argentina on Thurs Dec. 26 on Sky Airline. Other than my ticket, boarding pass and passport what will I need? I do not have a ticket out of Argentina. I plan to fly to Rio de Janeiro on Tues Jan 7th and buy the ticket once I get my Brazil VISA in Buenos Aires (have appointment there on Dec. 26th). Please let me know- thanks!   (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 12/23/13)

Heading to Santiago, Chile tomorrow… anybody know anybody there?   (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 12/21/13)