Bahia de los Suenos - CLOSED

The exclusive golf, beach and fishing resort of Bahía de los Sueños (the Bay of Dreams) is being developed along the Sea of Cortez on the eastern side of the Baja California Sur peninsula.

A number of high profile Mexican golf courses opened their tees for play in 2010 and Bahía de los Sueños was eclipsed by the opening of the Davis Love III-designed Diamante Dunes, located a few miles further south at the tip of the Baja peninsula.

Tom Doak designed the course at Bahía de los Sueños and it was the first of two Doak courses to open in 2010. Doak's second course, Old Macdonald, makes up a quartet of world-class courses at Bandon Dunes and his Old Mac creation in Oregon shared the limelight with Diamante Dunes in 2010.

Nevertheless, Doak remained upbeat about his first Mexican creation, commenting: “The magnificent variety of terrain and views sets this property apart from others in Cabo and around the world. The first few holes play among giant Cardón cactus, before a great uphill, par-five ninth hole and a stunning turn working up and around a huge hill. To me, the best stretch on the course might be the 11th through 14th holes, beginning at the high point of the course and playing back down to the beach over illustrious topography.”

Measuring 6,916 yards from the back tees, Bahía de los Sueños may appear short by modern yardages, but this is fundamentally a golf and beach resort course that is to be enjoyed rather than endured. But be careful when you hunt for your ball after a wayward tee shot. The scorecard warns of dangerous wildlife, such as snakes, so be alert to the potential danger.

Routed in two loops of nine with seven holes virtually abutting the Sea of Cortez and many other holes playing through rugged, desert terrain where monster cacti lie in wait, Bahía de los Sueños is certainly a varied and absorbing test, particularly in a fickle breeze. Wide-open fairways provide an opportunity to open the shoulders and the approaches to the greens will surely bring a few smiles and the odd grimace. Our pick of the holes is the old fashioned short par four 14th, originally destined to be a one-shotter, which plays directly towards the shimmering ocean.

The resort/residential aspect of Bahía de los Sueños will not necessarily appeal to all golfing aficionados, however, if you find yourself at the toe of the Baja Peninsula, you’d be foolish to overlook Doak’s natural, lie-of-the-land course. Look out for the property’s second Gil Hanse-designed course, which is mooted to be coming soon.

In 2013 Bahía de los Sueños closed its tees for play. Commentators suggested that the property was unsustainable due to the cost of water for irrigation. We are not sure whether or not Doak’s layout will re-open nor are we convinced that the resort and residential aspects will be developed. Naturally Bahía de los Sueños has fallen out of our Mexican rankings for the time being.