Nicklaus Design at home atop Mexican survey

El Dorado, Cabo del Sol and La Loma among the 12 designs honored in BEST’s Golf Guides to Mexico’s ranking of top private, resort courses

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla.—As Nicklaus Design’s golf course design business increasingly extends to international markets around the globe, Mexico has become almost a second home to the world’s leading design firm. Nicklaus Design once again dominated the field as BEST's Golf Guides to Mexico’s released its 2008 survey, including the recognition of Jack Nicklaus as the Top Architect of the Year. This is the magazine’s fourth annual survey and the third to include Top Architect, which the Golden Bear has been honored with each year.

Of the company’s 14 eligible golf courses, 12 were included in the magazine’s ranking of theTop-30 courses in the country. El Dorado Golf and Beach Club in Los Cabos took the top spot in the Private Courses category, while the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol repeated as the winner in the Resort Courses category. Nicklaus Design had two courses in the top 10 Private, and took four of the top five spots in the Resort category.

La Loma has also been chosen to host a Canadian Professional Golf Tour event. The La Loma Classic will be played May 22-25.

El Dorado, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, placed second in 2007 in the same category after converting from a daily-fee facility to a private club. Tres Marias Residencial Golf Club in Morelia, also a Nicklaus Signature Course, moved up to No. 7 in the private category. Tres Marias has been home to the LPGA’s Corona Morelia Championship since 2005, and hosted the Mexican Open this year.

Also placing in the Private Courses category were Club de Bosques in Cuajimalpa at No. 11 and the newly opened Signature Golf Course at La Loma in San Luis Potosi, which made its debut at No. 13 on BEST’s list and also received recognition as the Top New Private golf course in the country. La Loma has also been chosen to host a Canadian Professional Golf Tour event. The La Loma Classic will be played May 22-25.

Nicklaus Design also took the top three spots among the new resort courses, when Club Campestre, a Nicklaus Design layout in Los Cabos, was voted the Top New Resort Golf Course in Mexico, followed at No. 2 by The Peninsula, a Jack Nicklaus-Jack Nicklaus II co-design in Puerto Penasco, and at No. 3 by Asturiano in Cuautla.

The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol repeated as the winner in the Resort Courses category.

The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol in Los Cabos again anchored Nicklaus Design’s strong showing among Resorts, taking the No. 1 spot for the fourth straight year. Cabo del Sol also swept the Best Holes in Mexico survey for 2008 with the par-3 17th, par-4 18th, and par-5 12th.

As Nicklaus Design took four of the top 5 spots on the Resort list, Palmilla Golf Club in Los Cabos was No. 2, up one spot from the 2007 list. Four Seasons Golf Club Punta Mita and Vista Vallarta, both in or near Puerto Vallarta, came in at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.

No. 11 Moon Palace in Cancun, and No. 16 Cozumel Country Club and Club were also on the 2008 Resort list for Nicklaus Design, with Club Campestre at No. 19.