Golf Expands Its Horizons

GOLF EXPANDS ITS HORIZONS IN PUERTO VALLARTA

It was only a few years ago that PV was serviced by just two golf courses: Flamingos, the area's oldest course, and Marina Vallarta, which opened in 1989. However, it did not take real estate developers or government officials too long to realize what golf has meant to the Los Cabos area at the end of the Baja Peninsula. Los Cabos no longer is known for just fishing and diving; golf has taken first place as it attracts people from all over and has brought a number of first-class international tournaments.

Taking a lesson from the Cabos area, developers have added five new golf courses to the region surrounding Vallarta, with another three in the planning stage. The quality and variety of golf now available has caught the attention of golfers worldwide, enough so that the PGA held the World Golf Championships-EMC World Cup in Vallarta this past December 10-15. The publicity that was generated through this event has been compared to what the filming of "Night of the Iguana" did for Vallarta 40 years ago.

To be classified as a golf destination, a location needs a number of courses for golfers to choose from. With seven courses now available within a half-hour of one another, and two more a few hours away, Vallarta has finally reached the point where it may be classified as a World-class resort golf destination. And December's World Cup will let the rest of the world know this. Here's a short description of the courses now available for play.

Punta Mita is a very exclusive resort community located on the northerly point of Banderas Bay. The existing course there, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is the Four Seasons private golf and country club for resident owners, which has a membership cap of 400 and for guests of the Four Seasons Hotel. Currently, by way of invitation only, outside play is available either through the developer, a Punta Mita Ambassador or Coldwell Banker Previews. Their second, an 18 hole Jack Nicklaus course, will be open to the public, as well as residents of Punta Mita, within the next 24 months. And the third, an 18-hole Greg Norman course, will be open-play located next to their Los Ranchos subdivision.
The Flamingos Golf Club is located within the Flamingos development next to Nuevo Vallarta. It offers 18 holes designed by Percy J. Clifford and the most economical rates for golfers. The club provides free transportation from in front of the Sheraton Hotel at 7:30 and 10:30am.

The Marina Vallarta Club de Golf, designed by Joe Fingers, is owned and operated by Club Corp and is situated right in the middle of the Marina Vallarta development, with a couple of holes next to the ocean. Club Corp owns and operates many golf courses in the US and has been making strong moves into Mexico, beginning with this course over 10 years ago.

Vista Vallarta Club de Golf, which opened in 2000, is also owned and operated by Club Corp. It consists of two 18-hole courses, one designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Tom Weiskopf, and is located a short distance from downtown.
Opening soon, although a date has not yet been established, will be for the Mayan Island with their 18-hole course designed by Jim Lipe of Jack Nicklaus and Associates. There are also two fine golf courses located just a few hours south of Vallarta than can also be included as part of the destination's list of potential courses to play while visiting the area. Isla Navidad is three hours away and offers 27 holes within this world-class residential development. You can drive down for the day, but it is much better to stay a night or two at the development's Grand Bay hotel.

The second is within the very exclusive development of Tamarindo, a 2,040-acre ecological reserve just a little north of Barra de Navidad. The course was built to cater to the many valleys and lush jungle that cover this private peninsula. The jungle is so thick in some parts that it creates a natural canopy, offering cover from the afternoon sun. The Tamarindo hotel is the place to stay if you wish to overnight it, offering 26 individual casitas in a small cove surrounded by lush jungle.
That makes 11 golf courses within the region, either existing or scheduled to open within the next two years. SO watch out, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta has arrived as a world class golfers paradise!