El Tigre

El Tigre’s 18 holes are part of a huge resort called Paradise Village and professionals used the golf course as a final qualifying venue for the 2002 World Cup which was hosted at the nearby Vista Vallarta (Nicklaus) course.

Designed by the respected architectural partnership of Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril, the course at El Tigre is routed in two large loops with housing on both sides of most holes but fairways are wide enough to ensure that residential units never become too intrusive.

Many of the holes are doglegged, some with expansive waste areas – or “beach bunkers” as they’ve been called – and twelve of the greens are reached after water has been negotiated en route from the tee.

The par three 6th is a real feature on the outward half and it’s a spectacular hole, played to an island green fronted by a Scottish-style pot bunker. On the back nine, the island aspect of the par three 17th is encountered by golfers playing from the back markers, as this tee is located out in a lake, demanding an all carry tee shot to the green.