2. CABO LIVING
®
A Stroke of
genius World Class Gold Comes to La Paz
~story and photos by Paul Papanek~
T
The total time I’ve spent on a golf course – with the exception
of photographing every course in Cabo for this magazine -
can be summed up easily: Played twice – once in high school,
and once just out of college with three friends who were not
nearly as experienced as me. Which is why, as I write this, I
can barely lift my arms and hands to type – having not been
able to resist an invitation from Luis Rangel, the golf pro at
the Gary Player - designed course at CostaBaja Resort in La
Paz - to hit a couple of dozen balls on the driving range that
overlooks the Sea of Cortez.
Who knew that the aftermath of such an an incredible destination resort that boasts a
innocent-sounding outing could be so beautiful hotel, restaurants, a gorgeous and
painful? And I can’t say that it was anything seductive beach club, incredible condos and
less than frustrating to wield an incredibly homes, and a 250 slip double-basin marina
powerful Calloway Razr driver just to see that hosts multi-million dollar yachts. The
the ball dribble off the tee to roll a shocking icing on the cake is the recently opened Gary
three feet away. Player Signature golf course – Gary Player’s
World-class golf finally comes to La Paz. first course in Mexico.
And in a big way. Having a home in La Paz, The course, and it’s setting, are inarguably
we have watched the CostaBaja Resort grow the most beautiful and dramatic in Baja.
from a corner of rough, rocky, arid land into While many courses look out over the water,
Continued on page 68
CABO LIVING • 67
3. the Troon Golf-managed 7,229 par-72 were preserved and worked into the design.
CostaBaja course has incredible views of the And true to Gary Player’s ecological and
Sea of Cortez from 14 of its 18 holes. The environmental philosophy, a grey water
rest are rimmed by stunning mountains and processing facility was built, along with a
desert. None of them disappoint. desalination plant, to supply all of the
“I’ve built more than 300 golf courses water needed to maintain the course’s
all over the world,” Gary Player said, “and Seadwarf Paspalum grass tee boxes, fairways
I’ve never seen a course with better views. and greens.
It’s ocean all the time, and suddenly, there “No more well water, no more fresh water
are mountains.” for golf courses,” he said.
The terrain presented challenges for the Like every golf course, this one has its
designer. “This wasn’t an easy course to signature holes. The 6th – a 404 yard par 4,
(BELOW AND FAR RIGHT) | Gary Player worked with build,” Player said. Carving and shaping tees with the marina in the distance from
CostaBaja in carving a course out of the rough La Paz the course out of that rocky, inhospitable the highest elevation on the course. With
terrain to make a course with jaw-dropping views that land took a herculean effort. Every cactus 10 bunkers lining the narrowing fairway, it
was fun and challenging for a broad range of golfers. was moved and replanted. Large rocks presents quite an enjoyable challenge getting
68 • WINTER 2012
4. to the small green. Distraction by the beauty Cortez, and the CostaBaja Marina, are both
of the Sea of Cortez could cost you a stroke
or two.
there to draw your attention away from the
matter at hand: landing your shot in the “I’ve built more than
The par 5 14th, however, is spectacular. At
612 yards from the black tee, it’s the longest
center of the fairway. Good luck with that.
In designing the course, Gary Player
300 golf courses all
hole at CostaBaja, and according to Troon
Golf, one of the longest holes in Mexico at
wanted to insure that everyone could enjoy
the game, no matter what level of player
over the world, and
sea level. The dramatically elevated tee drops
more than 150’ to the fairway which,
they are. His feeling was that too many
golf architects are making greens way too
I’ve never seen a course
makes for very demanding drive. Carly Rygg, undulating, and that’s the surest way to with better views.
the general manager of the course, kept upset guests – greens that are too difficult.
having to warn me away from the edge of the Since the game is so challenging to begin It’s ocean all the time,
tee box. with, he wanted to give everyone a fighting
The fairway takes a blind dogleg to chance. The course is very playable, but still and suddenly, there
the left, so accuracy is king on this hole –
especially because the fairway is so narrow. are mountains.”
And once again, the deep blue of the Sea of Continued on page 70
CABO LIVING • 69
5. (ABOVE AND FAR RIGHT) | Caption goes here. challenging enough for the lowest handicap is the most difficult). And in the one year
golfers. And no matter how many times that it’s been open, The Mexican Federation
golfers play the course, it’s designed so that of Golf has rated it #8 in Mexico.
they always find something different. The “The landscape of the CostaBaja site
fairways are generally hemmed in by the excited me from the beginning,” said Player.
rocky desert with its verdant and abundant There is so much contrast in what we were
natural flora. And the deep, white-sand able to create there. It’s a very strong layout
bunkers give the course a wonderful contrast. set against such stunning visuals. I just love
Speaking of bunkers, there are a total of 120 the different experiences golfers will have
them, while most courses have 80. Longer throughout their rounds.”
holes generally play uphill, and the shorter Troon Golf added CostsBaja to their
ones downhill – holes 6 and 14 being notable portfolio of over 200 courses around the
exceptions. The rating and slope is 140 (150 world, and it’s their mission to make sure
70 • WINTER 2012
6. that each and every guest has the best as a tourist destination, being well known
experience possible. They have taken the for its world-class fishing and diving. The
luxury hotel model and applied it to their course and the resort, he feels, adds one
courses, so everyone feels – and is – taken more important element that will help
care of at the highest level. Sitting outside draw even more people to city. To that
the restaurant and bar perched at the very end, they’ve mounted an international ad
top of the course – with sweeping views of campaign that not only promotes the resort,
the Sea of Cortez - Carl Rygg tells me that but the city as well.
personal service is rule #1. And Rygg would Luis Rangel, the resident pro, has put in
know, having been with Troon for 6 years, his time with Troon all over the world as
managing clubs from one end of the globe to well. It’s almost impossible to have a short
the other. He especially loves CostaBaja,
and feels that its real potential rests with it
being in La Paz. The city is growing rapidly Continued on page 72
CABO LIVING • 71
7. conversation with him about the attributes new Callaway clubs as well as shoes for rent
“The landscape of the of CostaBaja. He knows each hole like the
back of his hand, and can tell you exactly
for those who need them. They also have
a full service pro shop and locker facility
CostaBaja site excited me how the ball will roll on any landing on adjacent to the restaurant in the stunning,
the course. If he’s not teaching, it’s not modern clubhouse.
from the beginning. There uncommon to see the always smiling Rangel So – given the pain I’m currently enduring
riding around the course, clubs in the cart, to – will I go back to hit another pyramid of
is so much contrast in what meet and talk to the guests. He might even balls? Absolutely. The course, ambience,
we were able to create there give you some pointers.
One of the features that really sets the
views, and the peacefulness are more than
enough to get me to take up golf – and to
... I just love the different course apart is its direct relationship to the
CostaBaja Marina. Yachts and pleasure
keep me coming back.
experiences golfers will have boats of all sizes have come to call it home, For more information on Costa Baja:
and realizing that most people arriving by • The club: www.coastabajagolf.com
throughout their rounds.” boat might not have packed their golf gear, • The resort: www.costabaja.com
CostaBaja has a full compliment of brand • Troon Golf: www.troongolf.com El Fin!
72 • WINTER 2012
