Every great property has an origin story. Typically there’s a visionary with a dream. And enough capital to bring it to fruition.
Such is the case with TPC Danzante Bay, the splendid golf facility situated on the outskirts of Loreto, one of Mexico’s ‘Pueblos Mágicos.’
There are several factors that elevate TPC Danzante above the competition. Here are the five main ones
1-Location
Over 10 years ago, Villa Group owner Owen Perry took notice of the land at the head of Danzante Bay from his yacht. Here rolling dunes receded from the beach, rising to desert foothills and steep-walled canyons. Dramatic ochre-colored peaks in the Sierra de la Giganta enclosed the bay. A magnificent Baja tableau.
“When I first saw the land where we were building this golf course, I was stunned by the amazing beauty of both the mountains and water that surround it,” Owen Perry remembers.
“And the views of the bay are without question some of the best I’ve ever seen. We literally carved this golf course into this incredible setting while maintaining all of its natural beauty.” He added that his team “gladly accepted the challenge” of adhering to stringent environmental rules necessitated by the fact that the Islands of Loreto are situated within a national marine park. (The park was added to UNESCO’s list of protected World Heritage Sites in 2005).
2-Course Designer and Landscape: Well-Matched
It takes great land to build a great golf course, which is why Owen Perry entrusted the design of the course to Rees Jones, who is known for his original creations as well as his renovations of classic venues. Perry said he partnered with Jones, the youngest son of legendary architect Robert Trent Jones, because of the designer’s talent for building courses that complement a site’s habitat and co-exist in harmony with nature.Upon his arrival in Loreto, Jones was immediately impressed by the site. “This land was so good it told us what to do,” he mused. “The holes fit the land naturally.” While stretching to 7,237 yards from the black markers, Jones pointed out that multiple sets of forward tees gives players at all ability levels a fighting chance.
“The golf course has pockets and sandy areas to capture the ball and keep it from going into the desert,” he stated. “We’ve kept the green contours mild so that the putting surfaces are manageable in the wind. People will want to play this course over and over again because the conditions change with the wind.” And because the wind constantly shifts direction and changes velocity, this bucket list layout is a new adventure every day.
3-A Signature Hole in a Class of its Own
While TPC Danzante Bay is a brilliantly conceived layout, it has a pièce de résistance that sets it apart from all other Mexican golf resorts, a golf hole of astonishing beauty that exhausts all superlatives. This is the par-3 17th hole, which Golf Course Architecture concluded is “As spectacular a one-shotter as exists on any course in the world.”
The funny part is, No. 17 wasn’t in the original blueprint.
While touring the undeveloped site, Perry and Jones noted the existence of a slim peninsula jutting into the bay in the general area of the proposed back nine. Could a golf hole be constructed atop a neck of land that dropped off on three sides to the sea far below? Discussions ensued. Based on the prospects for a world-class penultimate hole, the initial routing was altered to make way for this extraordinary creation. A marvel of engineering, this heroic stage set calls for an unerring shot to an exposed green that clings to a rock outcrop. It is a truly breathtaking par 3. No course in Mexico (or Latin America at large) can match it.
4-Premier Resort Experience at Villa del Palmar
While the golf experience at TPC Danzante Bay is world-class, so are the amenities. There’s an excellent practice facility. A well-stocked golf shop. And a stylish 19th hole with good drinks, tasty fare and a two-way view of the mountains and sea.
TPC Danzante Bay’s lodging partner is Villa del Palmar, a full-service, all-inclusive property built on the shores of the bay. It offers deluxe accommodations, superb dining options, numerous land or sea adventures, an array of family-friendly activities, and Sabila Spa, a sanctuary of relaxation and wellness. The resort’s golf packages offer excellent value.
Comparing TPC Danzante Bay to other Mexican golf resorts is dicey. Admittedly, there is more choice in major destinations such as Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun / Riviera Maya. But these places are on the beaten path.
5-A Stellar Venue that Delivers Pleasurable Enjoyment
Critics might sniff that TPC Danzante Bay has but one course, but it’s not a course that reveals all her charms at first glance. It takes two or three (or more) rounds to learn its subtleties and nuances, from the contours of the greens to the correct portion of the fairway from which to approach the target. True to Rees Jones’ vision, the course is very strategic. It rewards placement and finesse more than raw power. Well-played shots always find their reward.
TPC Danzante Bay is a one-off, a well-groomed layout celebrated by savvy golf travelers for its seclusion, beauty and challenge. It may be the only game in town, but it’s not a course that any golfer would ever tire of playing.
