Different Strokes: Los Cabos Golf Scene Offers Pleasures Old and New
Despite Rory McIlroy’s recent victories at Royal Liverpool and Valhalla, Tiger Woods remains the biggest name in golf, and the upcoming unveiling of his El Cardonal course at the upscale Diamante development in Cabo San Lucas—scheduled to take place by the end of 2014—is a highly anticipated event, not only in Los Cabos, but in golfing circles around the globe.
The Tiger Woods designed El Cardonal course at Diamante is expected to open in Cabo San Lucas by the end of 2014.
Woods first delved into the world of golf course design eight years ago, but economic developments have derailed or delayed projects in North Carolina, Dubai and Ensenada. El Cardonal, however, is close to completion, and is expected to serve as a first-class complement to the neighboring Dunes course, a Davis Love III designed loop that is currently ranked 52nd best in the world.
Given his initial forays, the opening of El Cardonal will be a major victory for Woods, although in design as well as PGA play, his achievements are being judged against the legendary record of Jack Nicklaus. The Golden Bear leads Tiger 18-14 in major championships, and when it comes to local course design, it’s not even close.
Nicklaus spearheaded the Los Cabos golf boom in the early 1990s with championship level layouts at Palmilla, Cabo del Sol and El Dorado. The first two, like Diamante Dunes, have been ranked among the 100 best courses in the world, and annually vie with his Puerto Vallarta based loops Punta Mita and Vista Vallarta for the title of Mexico’s best golf course.
The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol is one of many local layouts designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus.
After his early triumphs— Palmilla opened in 1993, Cabo del Sol’s Ocean Course in 1994, and El Dorado in 1999—Nicklaus has returned on several occasions, adding to his local legacy with Club Campestre, Puerto Los Cabos—a joint design venture with Australian champion Greg “the Great White Shark” Norman— and, most recently, with Quivira Golf Club, a gorgeous 7,224 course laid out on the Pacific Coast north of Cabo San Lucas, that, like El Cardonal, is expected to open later in 2014.
Although Nicklaus and Woods are certainly the marquee names on the Los Cabos golf scene, visitors will find numerous courses designed by other prestigious names, including fellow major champions like Love, Norman, Gary Player (Costa Baja in La Paz) and Tom Weiskopf (the Desert Course at Cabo del Sol).
Top-tier dedicated designers are ably represented as well. Roy Dye is responsible for the gorgeous, bougainvillea bounded Cabo San Lucas Country Club loop, and Robert Trent Jones II’s stunning Cabo Real course did as much as Nicklaus’ early designs to popularize Los Cabos as a golfing destination, captivating American television viewers with the sight of whales breaching just beyond a seaside green during the 1996 PGA Senior Slam.
For a true taste of local links history, however, destination duffers should test their skills on the area’s first course, Punta Sur. The nine hole layout has gone by many names over the years: it was the San Jose Municipal course when it opened in 1987 near the Playa Hotelera, but since being acquired by Grand Mayan Los Cabos in 2004, it is more commonly known as the Grand Mayan Punta Sur.
The oldest course in Los Cabos, Punta Sur, is also one the best for budget-conscious players.
The course is perfect for players of all levels. The narrow fairways demand expert attention, while the flat lies, moderate bunkering and minimal water hazards will appeal to mid to high-handicap golfers. The 3,153 yard layout features some superb hole as well, not to mention the occasional view of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, or glimpses of the glittering waters of the Sea of Cortez. Highlights include the demanding par 5 5th hole, which features a British Open worthy bunker; the par 4 6th, home to the rare sight of palm trees in the fairway; and the long par 3 8th, with trouble to the right (property damage) and left (watery grave).
Best of all, Punta Sur, unlike some of the other local links, is very affordable. Off-season rates for 18 holes are as low as $30-35 for locals (the cheaper rate is only available on Sundays), and $50-55 for visitors. For directions, or more information about seasonal rates and course amenities, visit http://www.thegrandmayan.com/los-cabos/golf or http://www.vidantagolf.com/los-cabos.