We’ve all heard the names and numbers. We’ve all known the reputation. And we’ve all played plenty of rounds across its courses. Whether you’re an outsider, an occasional visitor (as I was up until just about a year ago) or whether you’re a local (that’s me now), everyone knows The Cabo golf scene is the best in Mexico.
What could be shared about the Cabo Golf Scene that hasn’t already been said? “World-class designers. Breathtaking landscapes. Exquisite service. Oceanfront greens and cactus-lined fairways. Desert arroyos and seaside cliffs. Gourmet cuisine and extravagant comfort stations. Exclusive private clubs and public resort courses. Annual events, charity outings and most definitely your weekly match. And now, of course, we can add the PGA TOUR to that list that sums up golf in Los Cabos. (You can read All about it in our last Golf Issue!)
The hope is to give you a little more than just the typical tourist guide listing of the local courses and their designers. Along the way, maybe we’ll find some cool stories to shine a light on or share some intriguing history about the fascinating places and people that make the Cabo golf scene so special and so unique. We’ll also try to celebrate all that’s happening around our region’s 18 courses.
And what better way to kick things off than the biggest golf event Los Cabos has ever seen. To much fanfare, the PGA TOUR added a new and exciting chapter for Cabo Golf just a few months ago when it staged the first-ever official TOUR event to be held in Los Cabos. The 2023 World Wide Technology Championship shined a light on the Cabo golf scene unlike anything ever before, with a global television broadcast projecting images of Baja’s spectacular golf courses and the world-famous arch to an international audience in more than 200 countries and territories.
South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen claimed the trophy and the $1.476 million dollar winner’s check after a draining a thrilling eagle putt on the finishing hole at Diamante’s El Cardonal course to close out the tournament. But beyond Van Rooyen and his inspiring story, the tournament’s impact ranged far and wide. More than a dozen leading local restaurants were present in the event’s fan zone and food festival, several local charities joined forces with the event for a positive community impact, hundreds of locals participated as volunteer ambassadors supporting the event’s operation, dozens of national and international media outlets traveled to Los Cabos to cover the event. Even the great Tiger Woods, who designed El Cardonal, made an appearance during tournament week. And perhaps most enjoyable, thousands of residents and visitors attended as spectators to soak up the incredible atmosphere of professional golf and the Cabo social scene along with all the happenings that took place.
Whats next for the Cabo Golf Scene
Another event also stands out on the golf scene in Los Cabos for its impact over the years as it has annually gathered the United States’ top universities for one of college golf’s premier tournaments. The Cabo Collegiate is celebrating its 14th edition in 2024 with 15 teams teeing it up at Twin Dolphin Club in 54 holes of individual and team competition.
A sampling of past individual participants at the Cabo Collegiate reads like the leaderboard at a Major Championship: Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, Ludwig Aberg, Will Zalatoris, and on and on. Speak to any college golf coach or media member and they’ll tell you their week in Cabo is their favorite of year—and not just because it allows them to escape the cold up north. The golf tournament is regarded as the best and most well-run event all season, right along with the NCAA Championship.
Founded in 2010, the Cabo Collegiate is put on by a volunteer board of directors led by Rodger and Barbara Ann Kline who pour their heart and soul into making the event truly special. Not only for the participants, but for all of Cabo Golf as this event really puts the destination on the map. Over the years, the event has been staged at a variety of Cabo courses including Querencia, Cabo del Sol’s Cove Club and since 2023 at Twin Dolphin. This year’s field features leading teams like Oklahoma State, Arizona, Vanderbilt, Stanford, Arkansas and many more. Beginning in 2024, the Cabo Collegiate and the WWT Championship will change the Cabo golf scene joining together in a way only dreamed of previously. The individual winner of the Cabo Collegiate will receive an invitation to participate alongside the pros in the WWT Championship to be held later this year in November. Suffice to say, an opportunity to compete in an official PGA TOUR event is priceless
