Thirty years ago, Cabo was a small town that mainly attracted adventurous travelers and dedicated fishermen. Additionally, everything changed when Jack Nicklaus started visiting the place with his friends to escape the pressures of the PGA tour. In the 1990s, Nicklaus initiated the construction of golf courses. Consequently, this led to the development of high-end resorts, exclusive real estate projects, and attracted affluent buyers from the United States. Furthermore, this transformation began when Don Koll hired Jack to design the Palmilla golf course. Ultimately, today, Cabo continues to thrive as the unquestioned golf capital of Latin America.
“Back in the 60s, we could come down here with just a tee shirt, swimming suit, a pair of sandals, 20 bucks, and stay for a week,” reminisced Jack Nicklaus a decade ago. “Nowadays, I’m not sure you can even get out of the airport for that amount. My friends jokingly call me ‘the guy who ruined Cabo.’ From one perspective, what we did was introduce the game of golf to Cabo… Being part of the growth of Cabo and witnessing what they have achieved has been an amazing experience. It’s been enjoyable, and hopefully, there’s more to come.”
Now, let’s explore some of the finest golf courses in Baja:
Querencia:
Situated in San Jose del Cabo, Querencia is an exclusive private community featuring an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio. Furthermore, the course offers breathtaking views of the Sea of Cortez. Moreover, most regard it as one of Mexico’s premier golf destinations.
Diamante:
Located on the Pacific coast of Cabo San Lucas, Diamante is a luxurious golf resort showcasing two championship golf courses designed by Davis Love III and Tiger Woods. Additionally, it boasts a state-of-the-art golf academy.
Cabo del Sol:
Found in Cabo San Lucas, Cabo del Sol is a resort community featuring two championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. Furthermore, Golf Magazine has recognized The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol as one of the world’s top 100 courses.
Quivira Golf Course:
Situated in Cabo San Lucas, the Quivira Golf Course is an awe-inspiring 18-hole championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Moreover, it meanders through stunning oceanfront cliffs and desert landscapes, earning its reputation as one of Mexico’s premier courses. Consequently, any passionate golfer visiting Cabo must experience this course.
TPC Danzante Bay:
Located in Loreto, Baja California Sur, TPC Danzante Bay is a championship course designed by Rees Jones, one of the most esteemed golf course architects worldwide. Additionally, the course is part of Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa at The Islands of Loreto, offering stunning views of the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra de la Giganta Mountain range. With its combination of desert and mountain landscapes, this course presents both a challenging and picturesque experience.
The presence of golf courses has forever transformed Los Cabos, turning it into Mexico’s premier luxury destination. Moreover, Cabo has evolved from a humble fishing village into a world-class vacation spot. If you’re interested in learning more about living or investing in real estate within these top golf-course communities, feel free to reach out to Fletcher Wheaton at fletcher@remexico.com.