The golf course which will herald the return of the sport to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence has been unveiled in Rio de Janeiro.

Rio 2016’s Olympic Golf Course, which was designed by American Gil Hanse, was revealed by the city government at an event in Barra da Tijuca - the west part of Rio close to the Olympic Park and Village.

The 970,000m² course was built entirely through private finance, and will have the capacity for 15,000 spectators. It comprises 18 holes, two artificial lakes and sand bunkers.

The Confederação Brasileira de Golfe (CBG) will oversee the course until May 2016 at which time the Rio 2016 Organising Committee will take responsibility. Following the Games, the CBG and city government will maintain the course as a public facility for at least 20 years.

At the climax of the Olympic tournament, which takes place between 11 to 20 August, the course will be used promote the sport in Brazil and create access for social projects, while providing a training space for elite professionals. The facility will also be used to host future competitions and cultivate golf-related tourism.

Built on a degraded piece of land, the course project involved the planting of 650,000 seeds, bringing the site's 10 per cent vegetation level before its construction up to 67 per cent - with 245 plants and wildlife catalogued.

President of the CBG, Paulo Pacheco, said the course was “very challenging”, adding: “It has plenty of undergrowth and is very open so the wind will challenge the golfers here, who will also have lots of bunkers to deal with. This layout is narrow and will demand great precision from the players.”

“This will be the biggest park in the city,” added Rio mayor Eduardo Paes. “Our aim is to get families and children interested in golf and help grow the sport in Brazil.”

Golf was last played as an Olympic sport during the 1904 Games in St Louis, Missouri.