Loreto, one of Mexico’s most recent tourism developments, could not be complete without a golf course so its unique topography was put to good use in the design of the truly spectacular Campo de Golf Loreto.

Promoted by FONATUR, the National Fund for Tourism Development, as an ambitious tourism destination during the 80’s, Loreto’s activities began with the Loreto Tennis Center, which was inaugurated with a series of exhibition matches played by Raúl Ramírez, John McEnroe and other stars of the white sport.
One decade later, Mario Schjetnan and Pablo Güereca found in the desert a perfect place to design and build an 18-hole course. Its unspoiled, natural location would make it an idyllic site.

 

 

In 1991 the course was inaugurated with the goal of creating a beautiful attraction and offering additional incentives to promote tourist influx to the destination. For this reason, the course blends seamlessly with the landscape made up of the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range, semiarid areas, mangroves, the spectacular Punta Nopoló hill and the Sea of Cortez.
In addition to an estuary with isles and mangroves, four interconnected artificial lakes supply water to the course.
The 70-hectare (173-acre) course does not allow for shots out of the fairway since the rough is composed of the desert zone and its huge saguaros, elephant trees and pithaya cacti.

 

 

The tour

Hole 1. The fairway is broad and straight, elephant trees protect it on both sides and, in the background, there is a gorgeous view of the mountain. The green is surrounded by lush mesquites and three hazards, one to the left, another to the right and the last towards the back.

Hole 3. This is a wide fairway protected to the left by a sand trap that awaits a bad stroke though it does provide a beautiful view of the mountains. The green, surrounded by mesquites, has two huge falls, one to the right and the other to the left, so the placement of the flag is crucial for deciding how to approach the hole.

Hole 9. This par 4 will finish the first half of the tour with a straight fairway and a splendid view of the sea and Isla del Carmen. Two traps protect the green so don’t let the beauty of the scene lower your guard.

Hole 14. With the ball flying from the tee and over an estuary this just might be the most spectacular hole. The championship-class tee is located on top of a hill and, having the daring golfer in mind, offers the chance to shoot over the sea and straight to the green, which, in turn, is protected by a sand trap to the front and a hill to the back. All this with a fabulous view of the sea.

Hole 15. A mangrove islet hides the green from the tee in this par 4. Tee off is important because everything depends on the angle of the next shot towards the green.

Hole 17. This par 3 is located prior to the Club House. It has the lowest handicap and is of singular beauty since, on its left, there is a hill and the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range stretches along its back. The green is protected by two sand traps.

 

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Texto: Laura Velázquez ± Foto: FONATUR