RTJ II designs ‘golf symphony’ for Costa Palmas
The new Robert Trent Jones II course at Costa Palmas Golf Club near Los Cabos, Mexico, will open for play on 23 November.
The 7,221-yard layout will be part of a 1,000-acre resort community, developed by Los-Angeles-based real estate development firm Irongate. Costa Palmas is located on the East Cape of Los Cabos, where there are miles of white sand beaches running alongside the western shores of the Sea of Cortez.
Jones describes the course as “a golf symphony composed of three movements and two transitions.” He has designed the first six holes as a links-inspired “dunescape” with greens accessible for bump-and-run shots. The links styling on these holes includes seamless transitions between putting surfaces and the next hole’s tee boxes, and sand dunes as the main obstacles for players.
The par-five seventh, with its natural arroyo, serves as a transition to the course’s second movement — six “upland” holes that include views of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. These holes provide players with wide landing areas, but trees and bunkers mean golfers will have to choose club and shot selection carefully.
Following the 224-yard par-three thirteenth, the final four holes play along coves, harbours and channels. The eighteenth, a sweeping left-to-right par four, brings golfers back to the sea and the resort community’s private marina close to the recently opened Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas — the first hotel to open within the community.
The design of the course into these three ‘movements’ also makes it possible to play shorter loops of, for example, five and six holes.
“We were given a spectacular site and shaped a golf course generous to the golfer that takes advantage of ocean views without being right on the water,” said Jones. “The challenge will come into play as the contouring around the green complexes can either be forgiving or rejecting. It will take an imaginative short game to get the ball on the green.”
The practice area includes a 30,000-square-foot putting course with lighting for night play, a six-hole short course and an on-site restaurant Bouchie’s.
“We are excited to partner with Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and his team to offer a one-of-a-kind golf experience to residents and guests of Costa Palmas,” said Jason Grosfeld, chairman and CEO of Irongate. “With stunning views of the Sea of Cortez, Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, and our very own private marina, coupled with unparalleled on-course amenities, we welcome golfers of all levels to experience all that the East Cape has to offer.”
The club will be offered as an exclusive amenity to owners and resort guests of the Costa Palmas community.
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The new Robert Trent Jones II course at Costa Palmas will open for play on 23 November
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“We were given a spectacular site,” says Jones
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The final four holes play along coves, harbours and channels
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The practice area includes a putting course, six-hole short course and on-site restaurant Bouchie’s
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