 Puerto
Vallarta Emerging as One of Mexico's Top Golf Destinations
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO --You get the feeling John Wayne and Richard
Burton would have relished the chance to chase the little white
ball around here. After all, the two actors spent countless hours
in this unique fusion of Mexican fishing village meets glitzy resort
town filming movies and imbibing spirits. If Puerto Vallarta had
as many golf offerings as it has today, the contingent of actors
that once called this coastal city home would have ballooned like
a tourist's belly after a few too many carne asada tacos.
"PV" as savvy travelers have taken to calling it, is
now home to seven golf courses. Some of the world's greatest golf
course architects have crafted courses amid this tropical backdrop,
including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Robert von Hagge, who
with 11 layouts south of the border is Mexico's most prolific designer.
Myrtle Beach it's not, but with a handful of world class courses
and resorts, PV can now lay claim to being a tried and true golf
destination. PV resort owners and tourism officials make no bones
about it – they want to go head to head with Los Cabos/Cabo
San Lucas as Mexico's leading golf destination.
Graziano Sovernigo, founder and director of Paradise Village Beach
Resort and Spa, just minutes away in Nuevo Vallarta, has done his
part bringing golf here. "I'm happy to say Puerto Vallarta
is finally arriving as a golf destination. It took too long, but
now we have seven courses."
For years, Hawaii has been the industry leader in attracting American
golfer from the mainland. But the Mexican government has unabashedly
declared its intent to become the top golf destination worldwide
for traveling American golfers. PV's core group of lush, jungle-rich
layouts is leading Mexico in its charge to the top.
The newest offering is von Hagge's El Tigre at Paradise Village.
Framed in all directions by the Sierra Madre Mountains, El Tigre
is 7,239 yards, par 72, of manufactured golf course. It was built
on a flat piece of land and the von Hagge layout called for a lot
of dirt movement and nine separate bodies of water, just a minute
away from the Pacific Ocean and Paradise Village Beach Resort and
Spa.
"Create the most exciting championship golf course in Mexico",
was the challenge given to the team of Von Hagge, Smelek and Baril,
designers of over 200 of the world's finest golf courses. At 7,239
yards from the tips and featuring an 18th hole that players chide
as a "nice par 6", El Tigre has certainly answered the
call. Mexican architect Ernesto del Castillo designed the beautiful
Spanish-styled 45,000-square foot clubhouse, which includes a restaurant,
lounge, locker rooms, golf shop and European Spa.
Ten minutes from the PV marina and wedged in the region's breathtaking
foothills are the two championship courses of Vista Vallarta. Both
the Nicklaus and Weiskopf courses opened in 2001 and have met with
almost universal critical acclaim. The dynamic duo was selected
as the site for the 2002 Anderson Consulting Match Play Championships,
and players from around the world will not be disappointed.
The Nicklaus course measures 7,057 yards and features long par-5
holes. Weiskopf's layout has more native jungle growth, is tighter,
and has a signature par 3 that appears to be carved out of the jungle
hillside. Weiskopf has done a masterful job of blending the elevations
and natural features into an incredibly playable experience from
the first tee to the green of the "drivable" 18th.
The Golden Bear's best offering may be the Punta Mita where Pebble
Beach scenery mixes with turquoise-colored Pacific Ocean golf holes
and perfect winter temperatures. Punta Mita is uncrowded and has
one of the most spectacular holes in the world, a par 3 of 190 yards,
that plays to a natural black, lava-rock island. Your only entry
to the green comes at low tide, tip-toeing across a sandbar, unless
you have an amphibious vehicle or boat. You will need a low, boring
shot nailed into a tough head wind or cross wind to par this one.
Eight holes border the ocean with a photo op at every turn.
Marina Vallarta Golf Club is PV golf at its finest, replete with
jungle foliage, lagoons, iguanas, tropical birds, and a pretty strong
golf course designed by Joe Finger. The course winds its way through
countless palm trees and a number of holes feature views of Banderas
Bay.
Nicklaus' senior designer, Jim Lipe, authored the 6,700-yard Mayan
Palace Golf Club, just next door to El Tigre. Mayan Palace is a
fun, less-challenging course with a hefty 580-yard, dogleg-left
par-5 No. 13. Another scenic hole is a 180-yard par 3 that plays
over a lake to an oceanfront green with a view of the Pacific. Just
three minutes from Paradise Village is Los Flamingos Country Club.
This 18-hole course is located in the countryside with lakes, jungle
and countless birds. It was designed by architect Percy J. Clifford
and offers tennis, too.
 Where
to Stay: The Resorts of Puerto Vallarta
The Hotel at Paradise Village (USA Toll Free: 800-995-5714) is
PV's most luxurious offering and is located within minutes of El
Tigre, Los Flamingos and Mayan Palace. Mayan architecture awaits
you at Paradise Village, a 12-acre peninsula, just on the northern
fringe of Puerto Vallarta, in Nuevo Vallarta. Here you can enjoy
the sweeping views of Banderas Bay, the world's largest crescent-shaped
bay, and a pristine stretch of Pacific Ocean beach. It even has
its own zoo complete with tigers and cubs, a lion, monkeys, tropical
birds and more. No other resort hotel in the area offers so many
amenities -- a great place to relax or run yourself ragged with
all the recreational opportunities.
The Four Seasons Hotel (52 (329) 291-6000) at Punta Mita is one of the
finest luxury hotels in the region, and offers unparalleled access to
Nicklaus' Punta Mita golf course. The hotel is located on an exclusive
isthmus bordered by miles of pristine beach and turquoise ocean. Exclusive
Mexican casitas with plunge pools and views of the ocean are available
and guests have access to one of Mexico's most elaborate, restorative
spas. The Four Seasons is just 26 miles from the airport and with tennis,
fine dining, and other outdoor activities, the resort provides a totally
self-contained Mexican vacation.
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