A Jewel of Golf in Loreto, Baja California Sur
Origin stories are important for context. In the case of TPC Danzante Bay, the golf jewel of Loreto and the only Tournament Players Club (TPC) in Mexico, the vision of Owen Perry, a founding partner in The Villa Group, set the tone for what exists today: a sustainable facility that steps lightly on Nature’s toes.
The club’s role as an environmental custodian was established by Perry himself. “Maintaining unspoiled views, crystal clear waters and a rich environment is a vital piece of who we are,” he said. “We literally carved the golf course into an incredible setting while maintaining all of its natural beauty by minimizing our environmental footprint.”
Given the site’s location and geography, the decision to ‘go green’ was a fait accompli. The golf course sits within Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a vast island-dotted ocean preserve with strict conservation protections in place for the region’s abundant marine life. Working closely with Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the course sought to preserve indigenous flora from Day One.
Perry Partners with Rees Jones to Create a Sustainable Golf Course in Loreto
For example, during course construction 10 years ago, native plants and trees removed during the earthmoving phase were transplanted to a nursery and later relocated alongside the fairways, tees and greens. Vegetation that could not be transplanted was used as compost and reintroduced to the soil.
The alliance between owner and course designer was no accident. Perry hired architect Rees Jones because of the designer’s penchant for building challenging yet player-friendly courses that complement a site’s habitat and co-exist in harmony with nature.
“Our firm approaches each project with a keen awareness of our responsibility as stewards of the land,” Jones stated. “As the only sport with a field of play that partakes of the environment on a grand scale, golf is in a unique position to maintain its fields of play in harmony with nature.
“We have long embraced the notion that golf courses can and should benefit the environment,” he continued. “We believe a properly designed and maintained golf course can protect wildlife habitat, preserve native vegetation, conserve water resources, buffer open green spaces from development, and create bio-filters that sequester carbon.”
Jones, a traditionalist, strives to build courses that “stand the test of time” and provide continuing interest to golfers at all skill levels. “Golf holes aren’t really designed and built from a plan–you feel them in the land,” he said shortly before the course opened in 2017. “This land was so good it told us what to do. The holes fit the land naturally.”
In-the-Know Golfers Demand Premier, Eco-Friendly Course Conditions
Ask vacationing golfers what they expect when they travel to a bucket-list destination course, and the answers are the same: world-class playing conditions. They want smooth greens, well-groomed fairways, and natural beauty. At TPC Danzante Bay, those expectations are exceeded, with a focus on both performance and sustainability.
Paspalum Grass: A Perfect Eco-Friendly Fit for Loreto’s Climate
Until fairly recently, secondary water sources in subtropical desert regions such as Loreto couldn’t sustain most turfgrasses. The solution was paspalum, a salt-tolerant, disease-resistant grass developed in the 1990s that thrives in coastal regions.
TPC Danzante Bay is surfaced entirely with paspalum, using:
- Sea Spray Paspalum on the fairways and roughs
- SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum on the greens
This eco-friendly turf requires only a fraction of the pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers used on other warm-season grasses. Even more importantly, it can be irrigated with brackish or recycled water—a major benefit in Baja’s desert environment, where water conservation is critical.
Beyond sustainability, paspalum also enhances the playing experience. Stiff-leafed and waxy, it develops a thick, emerald-green canopy that perches a golf ball like an egg. It’s extremely durable, with exceptional wear tolerance, and on putting surfaces, SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum responds well to lower mowing heights. The result: greens at TPC Danzante Bay that roll as smoothly and quickly as those found on the finest hybrid Bermuda grass courses.
Water Recycling and Organic Practices at TPC Danzante Bay
The course doesn’t stop at turf management. It also operates a gray water recycling program, treating and reusing resort water to irrigate the course. While not potable, this recycled water sustains the lush course conditions without draining natural resources.
Additionally, the club prioritizes organic fertilizers over hazardous chemicals, reducing environmental risks and supporting long-term soil health.
Golf, Nature, and Sustainability in Harmony
Now fully mature, TPC Danzante Bay is a naturalistic work of landscape art. Golfers are invited to mute their phones, breathe in the fresh sea air, and reconnect with nature on a course that respects its environment. It’s a place where luxury golf travel meets sustainability in Mexico.
Plan Your Golf Vacation in Loreto
Today, TPC Danzante Bay is recognized not just as one of the best golf courses in Mexico, but also as one of the most sustainable. For golfers who care about the environment, it’s proof that eco-friendly practices can go hand-in-hand with unforgettable course design.
Discover sustainable golf in Loreto, Baja California Sur. Plan your getaway at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto—home of TPC Danzante Bay.
