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.
www.foremexico.com

Tee Time
By George Oxford Miller

Puerto Vallarta seasons golf with unexpected hazards.

With seven championship golf courses, Puerto Vallarta ranks as one of Mexico's premier year-round golf destinations. Whether you're a resort golfer or more serious, these courses will challenge your skill level and make you whisper "Vaya con Dios" (Go with God), when you tee up. The spectacular settings emphasize the backdrop of the Sierra Madres and stunning views of the Pacific coastline, so be sure to slip your camera in the golf bag to take a few snapshots along with your chip shots.

El Tigre
You can expect lots of water, jungles and swaying palms on these signature courses, and even an occasional crocodile or tiger, and that's not even counting Tiger Woods. Years ago, Graziano Sovernigo, owner of El Tigre golf course at Paradise Village Resort, began rescuing unwanted exotic animals, including a pair of Bengal tigers, and displaying them at the resort. The male tiger lives in an enclosure by the clubhouse. Every morning the staff takes the cubs out of their enclosure to play in the grass, though I doubt that the PGA handbook on hazards covers tigers on the links.

The seven area clubs offer courses designed by the best architects in the business. El Tigre, a product of the Robert Von Hagge group, features six tee placements per hole, beach-style bunkers and nine lakes. With extra-wide fairways, the 7,239-yard is forgiving for resort players, yet challenging enough to land professional tournaments. El Tigre hosted the Mexican Open in 2003 and the qualifying rounds for the PGA World Cup in 2002.

Mayan Palace
Designed by Jim Lipe, the Mayan Palace Golf Club surrounds the Mayan Palace Hotel. With long holes, enormous bunkers, seven lakes and a river, this course tests every handicap level, but the wide-open fairways give beginners a break. Hole number 14, the 153-yard, par-3 signature hole, has the Pacific Ocean on one side and a lake in front of the green.

Vista Vallarta
Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf designed the two 18-hole courses at Vista Vallarta Golf Club. The Nicklaus course hosted the PGA World Cup in 2002 and a Seniors PGA Tournament in 2006. Both courses require ball control and target golfing, and they are also known for spectacular views of the Sierra Madres, deep ravines, streams, jungles along the rough and large, forgiving greens. Bring plenty of balls if you tend to slice.

Marina Vallarta
Joe Finger designed the course at the Marina Vallarta Golf Club, located within walking distance of the hotels in the Marina area. With a magnificent view of Banderas Bay, this course rates as one of the most difficult in the area. With tree-lined fairways, lagoons, the ocean and 10 holes that play around lakes with sunning crocodiles, accurate ball placement is a must.

The Flamingos
The wooded roughs, long holes into the wind, and natural appearance of the Flamingos Golf Course delight golfers looking for a challenging, but not frustrating, game. Surrounded by lush vegetation and 1,800 palm trees, the course combines gently sloping fairways, lagoons with crocodiles and marshes teaming with birds. Considered one of the easiest in the area, the course is located between Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta with bus pickups at many hotels.

El Tamarindo
A Starwood Hotel located about three hours south of Puerto Vallarta, El Tamarindo Golf Resort, is rated one of the top-10 courses in Mexico by Best's Golf Guide. Designer David Fleming combined the natural features of the jungle and the rugged ocean coastline with dramatic results. Three holes play along the oceanfront and nine others offer spectacular views of the beach and crashing surf.

With seven courses to choose from, you can play a different course every day of a weeklong vacation, or you can concentrate on the challenges at just a few. Whichever courses you play, you can count on going home with a "Vaya on Dios" golf story to tell your friends.

Course Information

Standard green fees range from $110-$210 USD with various online discounts, twilight specials and resort packages. Other expenses include mandatory carts and caddies, club rental and storage, food and drinks, and on some courses, having a non-playing partner tag along.

Vista Vallarta Golf Club
Rates: Nicklaus $174, twilight $122; Weiskopf $174, twilight $122.
Phone: Mexico 011-52-322-290-0030.
julia.jurado@ourclub.com, foremexico.com.

Vista Vallarta Jack Nicklaus
Course: 18 holes, par 72
Designer: Jack Nicklaus

Vista Vallarta Tom Weiskopf
Course: 18 holes, par 72
Designer: Tom Weiskopf

Marina Vallarta Golf Club
Rates: $128, twilight $95.
Phone: Mexico 011-52-322-221-0545,
mari.castillo@ourclub.com, foremexico.com/marinagolf.

Course: 18 holes, par 71
Designer: Joe Finger

Paradise Village El Tigre Golf Course
Rates: $116, twilight $80.
Phone: USA and Canada 800-995-5714, local (322) 297-0073
eltigregolf.com.

Course: 18 holes, par 72
Designer: Robert Von Hagge

Mayan Palace Golf Club
Rates: $149. mayanresortsgolf.com,
brunogarcia@mayanresorts.com.mx.
Phone: Mexico 322-4000 x4600, 01-800-506-8327; USA and Canada 866-402-1774.

Course: 18 holes, par 71
Designer: Jim Lipe

Flamingos Golf Course
Rates: $110, twilight $70, weekend $70
flamingosgolf.com.mx, info@flamingosgolf.com.mx.
Phone: Mexico 52-329-296-5006.

Course: 18 holes, par 72
Designer: Percy J. Clifford

Tamarindo Golf Resort
Rates: $210 year-round
a.bertran@grupoplan.com, eltamarindoresort.com/golf.php.
Phone: USA and Canada 888-625-5144,
Mexico 52-315-351-5556.

Course: 18 holes, par 72
Designer: David Fleming

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