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  A ccording to the World Tourism Organization Mexico has one of the largest tourism industries in the world. In 2005 it was the 7th most popular tourist destination worldwide, receiving over 20 million tourists and figured as the third largest sector in the country’s industrial GDP. The most notable tourist draws are the ancient Meso-American ruins, and the popular beach resorts. But coming along fast and in most cases along the beautiful coastline of Mexico is an ever-growing addition of golf resorts. The coastal climate and unique culture – a fusion of European (particular Spanish) and Meso-American cultures also make Mexico attractive.
 Aztec Pyramid  Fairmont, the Princess Course in Acapulco Despite all this prosperity the reason so many Mexicans try to cross the border into America is due to the extreme poverty in some parts of the country, but the percentage of poverty levels has decreased considerably in the past few years and continues to do so. Economically the country is vulnerable for if the United States catches a cold, Mexico sneezes, but it will take severe conditions to reverse the increasing figures of tourists, especially those which are golf orientated.  Ocean course, Cabo del Sol Many of America’s top golf course designers have left their mark in Mexico, although the country’s golf history didn’t really start until the mid 70’s when Von Hagge designed nine new holes for the Punta Verde golf club. Over the next 20 years he would go on to design another 12 courses blazing a trail for the likes of Jack Nicklaus, whose first Mexican based product in 1992 was at Palmilla Resort in San Jose del Cabo in the Baja California Sur region. He followed it two years later with the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol.  Four Seasons Golf Resort at Punta Mita  El Tigre course at Puerto Vallarta  The Jungle course at Palace Resort, Cancun  Lorena Ochoa Many Mexicans have sought their fortunes playing golf and at the top of the pile of lady professional golfers Mexican Lorena Ochoa is the current number one. It is also a lady, Coghlan de Garcia, who is working on a golf programme for Mexican youngsters called “Hook a Kid on Golf” in Mexico City.
“What I like most about the “Hook a Kid on Golf” is the way it teaches kids the whole game and not just hitting the ball. My point of view is that golf is good for kids because it is very similar to life in that it develops values like honour and pride, it also teaches responsibility and builds character”. Three years ago Coghlan moved to Cuernavaca, about an hour south of Mexico City. She found no children played at the local course there, so she quickly began recruiting. She obviously had the sales touch because within three months she had 60 children whacking balls.  Golf, tourism and real estate in Mexico Golf is obviously in its infancy, but it’s not difficult to read the writing on the wall as most major hotel chains scramble to open courses to attract travelling golfers. In cities, in the middle of vast deserts, along the ocean shore and even on various Mexican islands you can find private and public golf courses and clubs. There are 9 and 18-hole courses with impeccably landscaped and maintained greens. Marshes, tropical jungles and warm beaches provide the backdrop for many of them, creating an ideal setting for a day’s golf. Many golf professionals from Mexico and abroad regularly drop down to play, especially just before some of the important tournaments. End |
Mexico 
