Tres Vidas reopened in 1995 after being redesigned by Robert von Hagge, with his traditional and innumerable humps and fairways that lie along the sea. Ten lakes and an endless number of sand traps present the golfer with the challenge of always getting the ball down the center, with no hesitancy.

On this long course, that measures over 7200 yards from the Championship tees, with Tifdwarf greens and Tifton 419 fairways, ideal for withstanding the salt water, five holes are on the Pacific Ocean. A golf cart is an absolute necessity… along with suntan lotion, to take advantage of the sun for the 18 holes.

An as von Hagge says: “ The Tres Vidas golf course is considered to be one of the pearls of Mexican golf. Tres Vidas will be the center of attention because it has one of the most impressive ‘links courses’ on the entire continent.”

 

 

The third hole, a 190-yard par 3, is one of the most outstanding. Its starting tee points directly at the sea, so the shot has to be low. The setting is marvelous, with the waves breaking in the open sea. And as if that were not enough, it has six sand traps, with water at the entrance to the green.

The par 5, tenth hole begins the second part of the round, 528 yards, with the green on an island. But players are more surprised by the huge waves than by the difficulty of the shot.

 

 

In Tres Vidas’ clubhouse players find a wellstocked shop, as well as staff of professional instructors, dressing rooms, fitness room, lounges and restaurant.

All the holes, with the exception of the second and 13th, have water, either on the fairway or the green, including the 17th that features an enormous sand trap. More than 70 traps, some natural, await a bad shot.

Both the course and clubhouse are managed by Troon Golf, with headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. This enterprise manages more than 140 courses internationally, which are distributed in 26 cities of 11 countries; 26 of them are classified among the 100 best in the world by international publications. 

 

 

 

Text: Laura Velázquez ± Photo: Fairmont Princess, Tres Vidas