Golfing On The Green
By Josef Kandoll W.

Those who play the “green” scene will be happy to hear that the irrigation of the expansive greens on the golf courses of Puerto Vallarta is done with recycled water. While regular rains during the late summer season keep the courses fresh, the remainder of the year requires regular watering. When you are ready for a good round of golf, you can rest assured that not only are the greens greener, but the entire culture of “green” living is alive and flourishing in Mexico. Many of the courses now use hybrid varieties of grass such as the paspalum, or turf grass, which has lower water-use requirements than other types, making it a natural for seacoast courses. In fact, this variety and others flourish in the salinity of the coast.

It was in 2002 when Puerto Vallarta rang the big bell of golfing history by hosting the EMC World Cup. Since then, numerous championships, tournaments and competitions take place on the golf courses of Banderas Bay. Two years ago we interviewed the late great golf pro and instructor Joe Johnston.* Rumored to have the best mailing list in the country, you would previously find him involved in many of the invitational events and tournaments in town.

Let’s talk specific courses. Here are some of Johnston’s personal observations from last year.

Marina Vallarta Club de Golf
Operated by Club Corps, this championship course open since 1989 designed by Joe Finger features 18 holes close to town. “There’s water on 13 holes of this course, which not only makes it a tough course, but it’s challenging and fun. A unique feature is the zoysia grass, which when cut right allows the ball to sit up high on it. The wildlife is totally amazing, adding another dimension to your game: crocodiles, turtles, iguanas and all varieties of birds. Since it’s so close to town, it’s one of the most popular courses.” marinavallartagolf.com

Vista Vallarta Club de Golf
Located close to Puerto Vallarta on the hills just outside of town, Vista Vallarta actually consists of two 18-hole courses. Operated by Club Corps, Vista Vallarta was the proud host of the EMC World Cup in 2002, bringing not only this course but the entire area to worldwide attention. “The entire terrain of Vista is more unique than the coastline and opens with amazing views of the bay and the city.”

Jack Nicklaus designed the first course at Vista, which opened in 2001. “Nicklaus designs with a stadium effect, which makes this course great not only for the golfer but for spectators. Jack reworks the terrain just the way he wants it.” Tom Weiskopf designed the second course, located on the property’s lower west end. “Tom Weiskopf, on the other hand, takes advantage of the contours of the terrain as well as the natural vegetation to offer sweeping vistas for a great game.” vistavallartagolf.com

Flamingos Club de Golf
The first golf course in the area, Flamingos Golf Course was designed by Englishman Percy Clifford during his stay in Mexico. Opened in 1978, Flamingos recently received a $3 million dollar refurbishment that put it back at the top—where this incredible course deserves to stay. “Three sets of tee boxes in every hole provide the most challenging game. Flamingos is unique in its variety of wildlife as well as the undulating hole three next to the ocean with its elevated green that requires you to play lay-up. This course hosts a number of local charity events.” flamingosgolf.com.mx

El Tigre Club de Golf Paradise Village
“While El Tigre was designed by the Von Hagge Group on relatively flat terrain, it boasts very clever usage of sand and water to define the golf holes. It has maybe the best hole one in Vallarta right on the street with a shallow green as well as one of the toughest finishes on hole 18. El Tigre hosts a number of invitational tournaments in conjunction with the other courses in town.” eltigregolf.com

Mayan Resorts Golf
The Mayan Resorts course is currently under construction, but there are at least nine holes available for play at all times. Originally designed by Jim Lipe, the course reconstruction was being overseen by Jack Nicklaus Design for a completed renovation scheduled by high season in late 2009. mayanresortsgolf.com/vallarta/

Four Seasons Punta Mita Golf Course
The first course at the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, designed by Jack Nicklaus, will be paired with the second course, open in late 2009. Both courses take advantage of the rolling terrain with spectacular views of the ocean as well as a number of holes played alongside it. The first course is noted for the “Tail of the Whale,” an optional hole located on a small islet just off hole three. fourseasons.com/puntamita/golf.html

Isla Navidad Golf Course
The spectacular 27-hole golf course located on Isla Navidad, a couple of hours south of Puerto Vallarta, was designed by Robert Von Hagge, providing some of the most spectacular golf on the coast. islanavidad.com/golf/

El Tamarindo Golf Resort
The 18-hole course at El Tamarindo Resort was carefully designed by David Fleming to take advantage of the incredible terrain along the Pacific Coast and has been rated No. 2 in Mexico by BEST’S Golf Guide to Mexico. eltamarindoresort.com/indexen.html

* Joe Johnston, golf expert extraordinaire, passed away in early 2009 after a struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He will be sorely missed not only by his wife, Kirsten, but by the entire Vallarta community—golfers and non-golfers alike.

On the Green
By Josef Kandoll W.

When Claudia Staines hits the green, she sees it through the practiced eyes of a professional. Member of the LPGA since 1999, she made her mark at golf courses in Acapulco and Querétaro before being contacted to head the Flamingos Golf Course in Puerto Vallarta. One of the few women to take the role of head professional, Claudia recognizes the challenge but doesn't shy away from it. "I'm probably the only woman in Mexico to be at the lead of a golf facility of this category. Even though the LPGA is a growing force in Mexico due to the presence of Lorena [Ochoa], it still will take time before it proves it's a money-making proposition and that the schedule of the LPGA can make more room in Mexico for events."

The Flamingos course, she explains, has its history. "When it was designed (by Percy Clifford) in 1978, it was the only golf course in the area. Maintenance was not kept up and it wasn't until the last couple of years that a major investment was made to get it back. All the golf pros asked them not to touch the design, it's one of the best in the country, but to just clean it up and make it functional again."

"For local golf events, we try to focus on those that have value in the golf world rather than just creating an event with prizes for winners. We just hosted the junior champions event, which is part of the Mexican Federation of Golf. Other major events that have come to Vallarta are the EMC2 World Cup in 2002 and….believe me, there are enough good courses here to handle any competition or tournament in the industry."

"There are two things that stand out in Vallarta on immediate contact. One is that the courses are very professional. Each one has its personality, so to speak, its challenge, its level of play. Beyond that, the service that is provided in the golf world here is superior to what can be found anywhere else. It's very competitive here. With seven courses, everyone can make a choice. So we all do the best we can to give whatever it is that makes the clients happy."

"Here at Flamingos golfers will find a course that is demanding and unforgiving if you just try for anything you can get. But it's rewarding to those who achieve what the design offers. The hazards are natural ones. There are animals, birds, crocodiles and beautiful trees, flowers, it's an amazing course."

"Every course in the area has something. There are some that are better for beginners and they'll feel good when they go home. Others are a challenge even for professionals. One of the things that golfers may not be used to is that the courses use Bermuda grass on the greens. It's tougher to play, it's less forgiving. What's more, the courses can be completely distinct in the morning and the afternoon. There are rolling hills, flatlands, inclines and hillsides, trees, water and sand traps. You'll never get tired of golfing in Vallarta."

The Future of Golf
By Josef Kandoll W.

Golfer KC Crandall is part of the growing club of second generation PGA champions. "My dad Cliff Crandall is a life member and I became a member of the PGA in 1984. For 16 years I operated a golfing facility in San Diego before I moved to Mexico in the north Baja (California) at Baja Mar. I spent time in Cancún, then Cozumel, and came to Puerto Vallarta in 2001 when Vista Vallarta was still under construction. Typically what I was doing was setting up operations after opening, organizing or renovating a club."

The success of Vista Vallarta is due in great part to KC's connections in the golf world. "Probably the biggest change in Mexico since I came here in the early 90s is that the growing middle-class is providing the country with future golfers." Pointing to the success of the junior championships of the Federación Mexicana de Golf in early May 2007, it's worth mentioning that four courses are involved in the tournament this year.

Last year Vista Vallarta also hosted the PGA Championship Tour with increased community involvement for this growing sport. "We have seven courses with two more on the way, so Vallarta has a lot to offer to the golfer."

Vista Vallarta, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jack Nicklaus, is managed by Club Corp.

Book your activities.
Fishing and fishing charters.
Beaches.