BajaNomad - Works Starts on Nicklaus Design at San Felipe Marina Resort & Golf

Works Starts on Nicklaus Design at San Felipe Marina Resort & Golf

BajaNews - 4-11-2006 at 02:05 PM

http://www.cybergolf.com/news/golfnews3899.asp

The San Felipe Marina Resort & Golf Spa celebrated its ground-breaking for the Nicklaus Design golf course on March 16th. The bulldozers roared with the crowd at 1:00 p.m., as they pushed the first mound of dirt, for what is soon to be an 18-hole golf course.

The course is being built by Diamond Golf International, which is based in Puerto Vallarta. They are projecting a completion date of May 2007. The goal is to have one of the top-100 golf courses in the world and certainly one of the best courses in Mexico. The hopes for it to be equal to other Nicklaus courses, such as El Dorado, Palmilla, Cabo del Sol and Punta Mita (near Puerto Vallarta).

Ideal weather is one of the many reasons that attracted Jack Nicklaus, founder of Nicklaus Design, to Mexico a decade ago, and why Mexico is becoming one of the world's most sought-after golf destinations.

San Felipe overlooks the Sea of Cortez and the weather is enjoyable nearly year-round. The sleepy fishing village is nestled along the east coast of the Baja Peninsula, only two hours south of the U.S. border. Already, 7,000 Americans are living there on a part- or full-time basis.

Recently, the Concord Group completed its market study of San Felipe in January 2006. They reported that buyers are attracted to San Felipe for the following reasons: 1) value-driven vacationers and second-home buyers are looking for a home to rent out in the short term, with the plan to retire there later; 2) retirees are attracted by the warm climate and relative affordability of San Felipe; 3) investors are looking to "flip" their properties to make a quick profit.

In fact, the American Recreational Property Survey by the American Resort Developers Association estimates that approximately 17 percent of all households in the tri-state area of California, Nevada and Arizona will purchase a second home in the next 10 years. And the Mexican Government estimates that approximately 2,500 U.S. residents purchase a home on the Baja Peninsula each month. Thus, there is a potential annual demand for over 25,000 second and retirement homes on the Baja Peninsula over the next 10 years. As a result, the Concord Group is projecting that San Felipe will capture 6 percent of that demand, equivalent to a demand of approximately 1,500 new second homes per year through 2015.

Nicklaus Design currently has 13 courses open for play throughout Mexico, another 15 under construction or under design, and has at least six more prospects. BEST's Golf Guides to Mexico recently positioned Nicklaus Design as the dominant design firm in Mexico. The recognition came in conjunction with the magazine's 2006 list of the "Top 30 Courses in Mexico," where Nicklaus Design led the pace for the second year in a row by taking nine spots, four of which were in the top 10.

According to Tim Kenny, executive vice president for Nicklaus Design, at least half of those prospects and projects under development have a residential tie-in. "For us, this represents confirmation of our analysis of the Mexican market," Kenny added. "The movement now in Mexico is toward residential rather than resort. Typically, in an emerging market, golf begins with resort play. But the bulk of our new signings in Mexico begin with residential. It's interesting that this is the only country in the world, at least from what I see, that is similar to what has happened in the United States with residential and high-end golf communities."

In addition to the golf course, the San Felipe Marina Resort & Golf Spa will feature single-family homes and condominiums with views of the Sea of Cortez. Amenities include an existing hotel on the Sea of Cortez, with a restaurant, pool and tennis court plus a proposed luxury yacht marina with 350 slips. The golf course will be challenging, but accessible and playable for amateur golfers. Practice facilities will be set up to resemble an actual golf hole, so players can better visualize the golf experience awaiting them.

For more information about the San Felipe Marina Resort & Golf Spa, visit: http://www.sanfelipemarina.net

bancoduo - 4-11-2006 at 02:35 PM

The checks in the mail. :lol:

bancoduo - 4-11-2006 at 02:39 PM

Doe's this mean more TERDS washing in on the beach?

don't get me wrong; I like San Felipe, but..

neilm - 4-11-2006 at 02:59 PM

what crock! The weather in summer is about like the Salton Sea; it can be 110 and humid. 'Sleepy fishing village'.... with 7000 gringos living there! double that for spring break and major holidays..

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNews
http://www.cybergolf.com/news/golfnews3899.asp

TSan Felipe overlooks the Sea of Cortez and the weather is enjoyable nearly year-round. The sleepy fishing village is nestled along the east coast of the Baja Peninsula, only two hours south of the U.S. border. Already, 7,000 Americans are living there on a part- or full-time basis.

For more information about the San Felipe Marina Resort & Golf Spa, visit: http://www.sanfelipemarina.net

who writes this stuff? they ought to work for Leno or Letterman.

This is all south of town, by the existing marina... right? They don't exactly say... but hurry, there are only 14 slips left!

Neil

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by neilm]

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by neilm]

meme - 4-12-2006 at 08:11 AM

Yes, it is south of town, big Orange building that is Motel. Yes , they are now building condos there.Yes, they have broken ground for new golf course. That's not to say it will be done very soon tho. Ask how long it took Eldorado just to get 9 holes done? Many Many Months! Also ask how much it costs to play on Eldorados Course as it is very spendy as I'm sure any others will be also! Too rich for most of us already living here. Guess they are building all this for all the new $$ coming into San Felipe as I know of only about two people who can (occasionally) (only once ot twice) afford to play on these high priced places!

Thanks, Meme..

neilm - 4-12-2006 at 08:58 AM

I'll have to come down and have a look... after Semana Santa & spring break are over!

Neil

bajalou - 4-12-2006 at 09:22 AM

No spring break here this year - Samanta Santa yes - Hear the hotels priced San Felipe out of the Spring Break market.

jimgrms - 4-12-2006 at 06:29 PM

Meme isn't the eldorado course 75 or 80 $ american for a round of golf? personelly i go to mexico cause it's the only place i can afford to vacation ,.and where are they going to get the water to spray the (grass) guess they will figure it out when the start selling more condos

bancoduo - 4-12-2006 at 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimgrms
Meme isn't the eldorado course 75 or 80 $ american for a round of golf? personelly i go to mexico cause it's the only place i can afford to vacation ,.and where are they going to get the water to spray the (grass) guess they will figure it out when the start selling more condos

How about another bullchit saltwater golf course? :no:

bancoduo - 4-12-2006 at 08:15 PM

Is there a El dorado golf course? Who made this up? :fire:

meme - 4-13-2006 at 08:03 AM

Yes, There is an Eldorado Golf Course! I'm not sure what the price is right now as I did hear they had dropped it a little, at least for members and certain times and certain days. I have never checked on it a lot as it's way more than we would ever pay to play golf. My husband says if he plays it will still be at Petes Camp on the sand course. I think the grass is this Paspalum grass that someone else mentioned on another thread. At least that's what Eldorado said when they were putting it in! So it can be watered with some salt water as I understand it. From what most of us see it sets there idle much of the time.

Killed the golden goose?

neilm - 4-13-2006 at 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
No spring break here this year - Samanta Santa yes - Hear the hotels priced San Felipe out of the Spring Break market.

I'll bet that's hell on the local businesses, but OK for the other residents.

Neil

Bob H - 4-13-2006 at 08:53 AM

Here's info on Paspalum grass....

http://www.paspalumgrass.com/

wornout - 4-13-2006 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by neilm

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
No spring break here this year - Samanta Santa yes - Hear the hotels priced San Felipe out of the Spring Break market.

I'll bet that's hell on the local businesses, but OK for the other residents.

Neil

I am sure the businesses are working on the typical plan now, let's see, we didn't get anybody here this Spring Break because our prices are too high, so, let's raise them to make up the losses, and so it goes.

As far as the golf course water goes, El Dorado drilled half a dozen wells within 4 or 5 miles of the course and water with that. It is hot coming out of the ground (humm, why didn't they build a bunch of spas and take advantage of the hot water?) and salty but the grass can tollerate it.

Last but not least, they charge so much to play during the winter that it gets them through the summer. :bounce:

I thought I saw someone playing or the golf course last week when I drove by but it was one of the statues. You can see the statues (and more info like rates) here and see why I was confused:

http://www.laventanadelmar.com/golfcourse.htm

tim40 - 4-19-2006 at 08:24 PM

It is changing all over Mexico (have made numerous trips over the past 12 months to old and new locations). We may wish and dream otherwise, but it is a reality that new money has arrived in Baja and beyond (throughout mainland) and just like where I live, I can't, and don't even try, to keep up with the new 'Jones of the neigborhood'.

Enjoy now, invest if your able, and adapt or move...those are the realistic choices I believe.