For all of its golfing glories–which now include three of the world’s 100 best courses and championship-
level layouts from legendary names like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods–Los Cabos has only one course that features views of El Arco and the evocative granite monuments that comprise the Land’s End headland at the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula. That’s the Cabo San Lucas Country Club, which originally opened in 1994 during the first wave of the Los Cabos golf boom, but has recently been given a major renovation by acclaimed Mexican golf course architect Agustin Piza.
The reason for the remodel wasn’t so much the age or difficulty level of the course, although both were addressed, but rather the extensive damage done by Tropical Storm Lidia in 2017.
“We needed to demonstrate to visitors and the community that Cabo San Lucas Country Club was not wiped out by Tropical Storm Lidia in September, 2017,” said club project manager Alfonso Terrazas Ceseña. “We were hurt (by torrential rains), but the damage was superficial and certainly not catastrophic. We’ve bounced back as part of a five-month renovation project, and I believe we’ve succeeded in restoring confidence and credibility in the club.”
The new look Cabo San Lucas Country Club still retains its parkland-style charms, stretching to 6,852 yards (par 71) from the black tees, and comparing favorably to golf courses in Palm Springs, California. Gently rolling fairways girdled by waste bunkers, cardon cactus, palo blanco trees and colorful bougainvillea characterize the new layout. Tall stony mountains frame the course to the north. Lakes bring water into play at seven holes, notably at the testing par-4 ninth and 18th holes, where a large rock-rimmed lagoon protects each green.
Agustin Piza, a Mexican designer who has worked extensively throughout Latin America, altered several holes to improve sightlines and enhance playability. In particular, the club’s back nine was shortened and its corridors widened to expand the layout’s ocean views. The new and revised holes feature improved flexibility from the forward tees, better risk-reward scenarios from the back tees, and more undulating greens. Bunkers throughout the course were reshaped and upgraded. Pruning of trees and vegetation has created a breezier, links-style environment. The club, readily accessible by area hotels and cruise ship passengers, also features the only lighted driving range in Los Cabos.
In the wake of the remedial work by Piza, holes one through seven remain the same, while the par-3 eighth and par-4 ninth holes were swapped for the par-3 17th and par-4 18th holes, respectively.
The most noticeable changes are found on the back nine, specifically holes 10 through 16. The par-4 10th plays from the same set of tee boxes as the original hole, but a friendlier green closer to the tees enables average players to reach it in regulation. The par-3 11th is a new creation that plays to the site of the old 12th green, which Piza refashioned into a large, wavy putting surface. The 12th hole was converted from a brawny par 4 to a sporty par 5, while the par-4 13th occupies the original hole’s corridor but plays to a remodeled green. The par-3 14th, stretching to 208 yards, brings a lake into play on the right. At the par-5 16th, Piza reversed the direction of the hole. The fairway, pointed to the Sea of Cortes, now runs from north to south.
The latest changes are part of the long history and lore of the scenically situated course. Originally the dream of an East Coast developer named Ed Reisdorf, who visualized the course during a cruise ship visit to Cabo San Lucas nearly 30 years ago, what was first called the Campo de Carlos Golf & Country Club premiered in 1994 with a layout from acclaimed designer Roy Dye, with an assist from his son Matt.
Roy Dye was the brother of famed course architect Pete Dye, whose many designs include the TPC at Sawgrass, and a respected course designer in his own right. Reisdorf hired him because the Denver-based Dye Corporation was said to have built more courses that hosted PGA tournaments than any other.
“This is a dream site,” said the elder Dye at the time. “It’s got natural slope and great views of the ocean.”
A quarter century and many changes later, both statements still hold true.
For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.
Photo credit: Cabo San Lucas Country Club
Upcoming Event Calendar
December
Sabor a Cabo Food & Wine Festival – Dec. 1
Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 1
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27
Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12
Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15
Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
January 2019
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6
Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 10 – 20
Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18
La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 16 – 20
February
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 2 – 9
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28
Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 9 – 10
Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14
Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5
San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend
March
Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5
Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – March 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 6, 13, 20, 27
Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 8 – 10, 13 – 16
End of Whale Watching Season – March 15
East Cape Arts Festival – March 17
Todos Santos Film Festival – Dates Yet to Be Determined
7th Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Grand Los Cabos – Dates Yet to Be Determined
April
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – April 4, 11, 18, 25
NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 26 – May 3
Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament – Dates Yet to Be Determined
Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Dates Yet to Be Determined
May
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival in Todos Santos – May 17 – 19
June
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 6, 13, 20, 27
nightlife and bawdy beachfront cantinas. The Land’s End community’s premier party spots exceed even their own debaucherous standards, however, when it comes to New Year’s Eve, adding a spectacular midnight fireworks show over the bay to an already potent mix of high-octane spirits and high-energy dance music.
