Cabo Del Sol Unveils Redesign Of Its World-Ranked Ocean Course

Spectacular Jack Nicklaus course and Mexico's only Top-100 layout underwent a 2002 renovation to "raise the bar even higher"

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, not content with resting on its lofty laurels, underwent a million-dollar renovation and minor redesign last year in an effort to further elevate one of the world's most spectacular layouts.

The Ocean Course opened in 1994 and remains Mexico's only course in GOLF Magazine's biennial listing of the "Top 100 Courses in the World". The Ocean Course is one of the primary reasons Los Cabos, situated on the tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, has become one of the world's most sought-after golf destinations. Because of Jack Nicklaus' work in Cabo, its impact on the tourism industry, and for the model and standard it has set throughout Mexico, he was honored two years ago by the International Network of Golf with its Achievement in Golf Course Design Award.

In an effort to make certain the Ocean Course remains one of the world's premier courses, Nicklaus Design, in conjunction with the Day Group---the Los Angeles-based owner of Cabo del Sol---began work last May on minor changes and improvements to the layout. The course reopened in December to rave reviews.

"Like Jack Nicklaus, the Day Group has high and exacting standards," said Jonathan Jaffrey, principal of the Day Group. "While we have been thrilled with the worldwide response and reputation of the Ocean Course, we want to strive to always be the best we can be. The Day Group and Nicklaus Design feel these changes only enhance what we strongly believe is one of the world's finest golf courses. This is our way of raising the bar even higher."

Jack Nicklaus added, "We at Nicklaus Design believe that great golf courses evolve over time. You have to listen to the people who play your golf course, whether they are members at a private course or avid golfers who travel thousands of miles to play your design. You also listen to the ownership group and try to work with them to meet their goals and objectives. Collectively, you want the best product possible, and that's what we are trying to do with the Ocean Course."

The Ocean Course might best be known for its closing stretch of Holes 16, 17 and 18, which Jack Nicklaus has said are among the best finishing holes in the golf. The holes bring into view and play the breath-taking backdrop of the Sea of Cortez. And while many argue these holes are the Ocean Course's strength, it is there where much of the work began last year.

"Perhaps the biggest change was on the par-4 16th hole, where we lowered the entire green complex by about four feet, " said Jim Lipe, Senior Design Associate for Nicklaus Design. "This change brings the crashing white water waves behind the green into better view and makes an already spectacular hole that much more dramatic. The green shape was altered slightly to create a championship pin placement over the existing bunkers that guard the right front of the green."

From the 16th green, the design team moved to the tee on 17.

"The 17th is one of the most dramatic par-3 holes in golf, but those playing the forward tees, situated to the left of the water, often missed out on the thrill of carrying the sand and ocean," Lipe said. "So, we created an additional tee to give the average player a similar carry and sensation as from the championship tee (178 yards)."

Some of the other changes and improvements included:

• A pot bunker fronting the 17th green was constructed as part of a bunker renovation on that hole to counter some minor erosion problems. The bunker also collects tee shots that fall short, and keeps them from caroming off the rocks and into the ocean.

• A sandy waste area about 120 yards from the green on the par-5 second hole was eliminated and subsequently grassed as a hollow. This will make that area of the hole more forgiving for the higher-handicapped player, but should have no affect on the better players.

• An additional bunker was constructed about 100 yards short of the green on No. 2, better defining where the second shot should be played on this par 5.

• On the par-4 fifth hole, an opening was created in the berm behind the green to allow for better ocean views. This small but significant change should create a feeling of better connection between the golfer and the ocean.

• A pot bunker strategically situated on the left front of the 18th green will be completed this summer. The added bunker, which was recommended by Nicklaus, will toughen the finishing hole slightly by forcing golfers to play approaches directly into the green, thus bringing the ocean on the right into play. If golfers try to bail out left of the bunker, it will create a much more challenging up-and-down.

• Most of the existing bunkers on the course were re-constructed and filled with new sand. The existing sand had become contaminated with the decomposed granite soil that is typically found in the Cabo area.

In addition to unveiling of the changes on the golf course in December, Cabo del Sol also opened this winter its 40,000-square-foot, full-amenity clubhouse. This spacious clubhouse features traditional hacienda design, creating an elegant grandeur, with magnificent arches, rich stone floors, high beam ceilings and open breezeways that offer sweeping views of the fairways and the Sea of Cortez.

"The opening of the clubhouse and these small but significant changes to the Ocean Course have improved what we already consider to be a unique and memorable golf experience," said Cabo del Sol Director of Golf Brad Wheatley. "The golf course is in the best condition it has been in years, and players are coming in with wonderful compliments about both the golf course and its conditioning."

The Day Group is a Los Angeles-based investment group with international investment holdings in real estate as well as other areas. Through its investment arm, Oakmont Corporation, it has been actively involved in international real estate investments for over 15 years.

For over 30 years, the mission of the Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience, and to bring to the national and international consumer golf-related businesses and services that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of Jack Nicklaus. These services include golf-course design, the development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of golf products and services. Nicklaus Design, recognized as the world leader in golf course design, has been involved with over 260 courses open for play in 27 countries and 35 states. Of those, Jack Nicklaus has designed, co-designed or re-designed 220 courses around the globe, 35 of which have been ranked in various national or international Top-100 lists.