Vidanta Puerto Peñasco (Nicklaus)

The resort town of Puerto Peñasco (also known as “Rocky Point”) lies on the northern shores of the Sea of Cortez, along the narrow strip of Mexico that connects the Baja California peninsula with the rest of the country.

Tourism has expanded rapidly here since the start of the new millennium and one of the new courses to emerge and serve the influx of visitors is the Nicklaus Design course operated by Vidanta Puerto Penasco at the Mayan Palace Resort in La Jolla.

Co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack, the paspalum-clad course is situated on a two-mile peninsula with a tidal estuary on one side and the Sea of Cortés on the other, so it’s a uniquely challenging layout that’s almost completely surrounded by water.

The short par four 8th is a fine hole, as is the strong par five finisher on the 18th, but it’s the 190-yard 6th that’s regarded as the signature hole on the card, featuring four protecting bunkers around a green that sits behind a tidal lake connected to the natural estuary.

Jack Nicklaus II had this to say about the course: "The site for the Nicklaus Design course at Vidanta Puerto Peñasco is one of the better natural pieces of property we have had the opportunity to work with.

We moved very little dirt to create the greens, and instead let the existing sand dunes dictate the green complexes. It is a very naturally beautiful and pristine site, and that lends itself to a memorable golf experience."