LOS CABOS, Mexico -- Quivira Golf Club, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean on the southernmost point of Baja California, is a 7,139-yard, par-72, brand-new Jack Nicklaus signature design. It is stunning, fun and a treat for the visual senses with blue water panoramas from every hole -- the most of any course in Los Cabos.
Nicklaus' sixth golf course at Cabo celebrates an area that is a deep-sea fisherman's paradise, a whale watcher's haven and a destination golf resort mecca.
Marked by steep granite cliffs; massive, windswept sand dunes; and rolling inland desert punctuated by wild tropical growth and towering cardón cactus of the Sonoran Desert -- a cousin of the saguaros of southern Arizona.
"This is one of the great pieces of property in the world," Nicklaus said. "We tried to create some excitement on the mountain and in the dunes, and I believe we've created a golf course that plays as spectacular as it looks.
"I've never seen any place that has three holes hanging out over the ocean like this golf course does. They are unbelievable. This is a diverse golf course with inland settings; its got desert, its got ocean, its got rocks. It has a little bit of everything."
And the future includes another 18-hole golf course. Just for the record, this will be Nicklaus' 26th one in Mexico, more than any golf course designer, with five of these courses ranked in the top 10 in Mexico.
Playing conditions are pristine, enhanced by sunny 85-degree days. And the platinum paspalum grasses can be found on greens, tees, fairways and rough in this unique mountain-desert-ocean ecosystem.
Quivira Golf Club: Downhill drives and views
Many holes have downhill tee shots that are absolute fun. And what's different about this layout is that it has the fewest bunkers (the entire landscape base is sand) and the smallest green (at no. 13) of any course in Mr. Nicklaus' portfolio. The front nine is par 34, the back nine is par 38 -- another change from the typical.
Another superlative vista par 3 is no. 6, a 180 yarder that has two tiers. Bang it too far right, and you might get a great kick to the pin. Too far left, and you are ocean bound.
The only nerve-wracking hole is no. 5, a 310-yard par 4 that goes severely downhill to a green on a manufactured shelf. Many will go for the green from the forward tees, but this hole is being changed to include more friendly and receivable green grass once the fairway turns left and heads straight down to the green.
But perhaps it is the cart drive to no. 5 that will have many talking. This takes almost 10 minutes, crosses rock bridges -- built by stone masons -- that span tropical gulches and switchbacks your route up the side of a mountain.
Quivira Golf Club: 'Comfort' level rare for any course
Included in your golf day are three comfort stations along the way that include gourmet food and sandwiches and just about any beverage you can imagine.
Behind the tee boxes at the fifth hole, at more than 200 feet above the ocean, is the "Cliffs" comfort station with ready-to-go refreshments.
A halfway house situated near the eighth green, called the "Oasis," showcases the culinary talents of the resort's chefs, with flavorful regional cuisine dishes and inventive takes on classic Baja cuisine. In addition, a full bar, including a deluxe tequila bar will feature blanco, reposado and anejo tequilas.
There's a final refreshment station named "Canada" with drinks, granola bars and various kinds of nuts next to the no. 16 tee, where your tee shot will go downhill on a par-4, 493-yard beautiful hole, punctuated by a huge rock formation in the middle of the fairway.
Quivira Golf Club: Clubhouse, practice facilities and lodging
Quivira's thatched-roof clubhouse offers a large rectangular bar, a casual steakhouse and ample outdoor seating overlooking the sea. Beside the clubhouse is a spacious double-ended practice facility that parallels the ocean, as well as an elongated practice putting green and an expanded short-game practice area.
Quivira Golf Club is accessible to guests of the four Pueblo Bonito Oceanfront Resorts and Spas in Los Cabos, and to owners of properties in Copala, Montecristo Estates Luxury Villas and Novaispania Residences. Select the all-inclusive feature that pays for all your food and beverages.
A $295 golf-green fee rack rate (with discounts depending on where you stay) includes the food at the comfort stations. My favorites were the ceviche, barbecued shrimp quesadillas, shrimp tacos, flank steak tacos and tuna sliders.
Each of the Pueblo Bonito Resorts welcomes guests with luxury accommodations, fine dining and a host of on-site amenities. The Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa is right on the beach. Complimentary shuttle service to and from Quivira Golf Club is included within the Quivira development.
