BajaNomad - Update on Diamante del Mar (El Rosario)?

Update on Diamante del Mar (El Rosario)?

BajaLands - 3-14-2007 at 09:04 AM

Seems there was a flurry of press about a year ago regarding the Diamante del Mar project in El Rosario. I've been interested in tracking its progress, but can't find anything more recent that about 10 months. (Even the website now points to a Cabo development.)

Anyone have any tips about where I can find any information? (Other than driving down there.) Is the project still underway?

Gracias!
:spingrin:

movinguy - 3-14-2007 at 10:16 AM

Last I heard they were focusing all resources on the Cabo development and have shelved El Rosario for now.

Taco de Baja - 3-14-2007 at 11:51 AM

Like many projects in Mexico, it started out with big plans that never materialized. The initial investment to be a Founding Member was something like US $250,000.....Money that is probably long gone, if someone put money down... :rolleyes:

I sent a stealthy request, as a potential investor, for info on the project back in 2003 and got this reply.

The link at the end now goes to the Cabo project (Password: ddm). But, you could try the phone #....

[EDIT] As a side note: Many of the gallery pictures, the satellite photo, the project descriptions on the "DDM - cabo" website...are still all of the DDM- El Rosario project.....

Quote:

Fri 8/8/2003 3:02 PM

Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your inquiry. Construction of Diamante Del Mar has already begun. A private 6,000 foot concrete airstrip has just been poured. The airstrip will handle planes up to a G-V or Global Express. This allows our members easy and private access to the Club. We will have our own customs at the airstrip in a matter of months which will allow our members to bypass stops in and out of Mexico.

The Fazio course begins construction next week with Ken Ayers (Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe) as Project Director. Mass grading is being performed by Grupo JV and Ranger Golf will be building the course. It is scheduled to be complete in 14 months. This will mark completion of phase I, along with infrastructure and villas to accommodate 100 Founder Members, Fazio Course, Hacienda, tennis courts, swimming pools, restaurant, fitness, practice facilities and pro shop.

The property is 9,700 acres located 210 miles south of San Diego on the west coast of Baja California. It is just north of El Rosario. We have three miles of coast line where the Fazio and Davis Love III courses will be situated. The coast line is like Pebble Beach or Cypress Point in that the waves crash against many of the eventual tee boxes and greens.

The completed project will include the Davis Love III ocean course, Mesa Links Course, spa, vineyard, boating facilities, equestrian center, homes, casitas, etc... and will produce one of the finest Golf Clubs in the world.

One of the most exciting things about this project is that Diamante Del Mar has acquired Legal Title from a Mexican Ejido (a long, difficult process that took the company more than 5 years to complete). This is paramount to foreigners legally owning the land through a Mexican Trust called a fedeicomiso.

The initial members are called Founder Members. We are currently offering 100 Founder Memberships to Diamante Del Mar. If you are interested in knowing more about the project I would like to send you a brochure and more information.

You can reach me anytime via cell phone below. Thank you for your interest Mr. Smith and I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Brandt S. Hazen
Director of Sales
Diamante Del Mar Golf Club
Phone: 760.419.9535

http://www.diamantedelmar.com

[Edited on 3-14-2007 by Taco de Baja]

[Edited on 3-16-2007 by Taco de Baja]

Bob H - 3-14-2007 at 12:01 PM

To log in through the web site use access code DDM.

http://www.diamontedelmar.com

Bob H

movinguy - 3-14-2007 at 12:52 PM

Antonio (BajaCactus) probably knows what future plans are for the El Rosario site (if any)

David K - 3-14-2007 at 03:50 PM

Guys, it isn't THAT way, fortunately...

Here is what I understand... (and I will email this to DDM people who can correct me if I am mistaken):

The project is headed by Americans and they couldn't pass up an opportunity to establish a Cabo resort first, when land there, by the Cabo paved airstrip, north of town, became available.

The logic was that ALL the infrastructure was readily available in Cabo to build such a golf resort... So, do it there first... take what you learn from Cabo, along with additional income earned... and then go full speed at Diamante del Mar... which, compared to Cabo is pretty remote, afterall.

Diamante del Mar (along the coast from La Lobera to La Bocana beach) will still become the worlds finest golf course(s) and executive class homes.

Of course, only time will tell...

David K - 3-14-2007 at 04:21 PM

Also, Taco de Baja... that link does not go to Cabo, that is all DDM details, El Rosario. I couldn't find any link to the Cabo project, and I think I clicked on every page.

bancoduo - 3-14-2007 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

Diamante del Mar (along the coast from La Lobera to La Bocana beach) will still become the worlds finest golf course(s) and executive class homes.

Only executives need apply. :lol:

Mexitron - 3-14-2007 at 06:25 PM

I was called, at the last minute, to oversee the revegetation of the project. Thinking at first it would be great to work in Baja, then later thinking why in the heck would I want to work in the place I vacation at, I decided to not uproot my life and work on the golf course...good thing after all... :light:

David K - 3-14-2007 at 07:40 PM

So you went to TEXAS, instead!!?? :wow:

Mexitron - 3-14-2007 at 08:21 PM

Well, when you find the love of your life then its worth uprooting! Besides...its only for awhile :rolleyes:

Delia loves camping and especially Baja!

Mexitron - 3-14-2007 at 08:23 PM

Actually Texas is pretty cool too--I look on it as kind of a Baja type adventure--just exploring a different part of the world than I'm used too--pretty amazing to see the full moon come up over the prairie!

BajaNomad - 3-14-2007 at 08:45 PM

Per my note here:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=21098#pid1873...

"...We were also able to say hi to Anthony from Diamante del Mar at the Pemex Sunday afternoon. Anthony says they're still busy with the Cabo location - and communicated some interesting things they're doing because of challenges in getting grass for their golf courses."

He indicated that they were entirely focused on the Cabo property - and were spending some effort growing grass at the El Rosario(-area) facility at the moment because of issues in importing grass used for golf courses. I could be remembering wrong, but they were so interested in the possibilities, that they were hoping to sell some of the stuff to other resorts as well (???).

I think what was communicated to me at the festival in July (a couple of months prior) was that they had previously been in a holding pattern of sorts because of a legal issue over the land - but that they had prevailed in that issue, and in the meantime they started with the Cabo development, and would continue seeing that one through first before they came back and focused again on the El Rosario property.

--
Doug

[Edited on 3-15-2007 by BajaNomad]

capt. mike - 3-15-2007 at 05:13 AM

not rocket science guys.............they likely had crappy sales for the el rosario deal while cabo investment and land/unit sales is still very strong.
they got the strip in 1st as a priority so the principles could get in and out without a long and pretty much boring as well as time consuming drive.

the challenge there is the gloomy WX so much of the time along the coast.
and getting in G4s et al without IFR approach equip on the field means after your huge investment you do not have guaranteed access anytime to fly in if the WX goes and stays south.

it may come back but i'll bet not at their asking prices when so many sunny spots are avail at comparable prices Loreto and elsewhere - cabo etc.

it all works only when front ended sales feed it. See how many escrows or "founders" had contributed since inception - i bet few in actuality after the developers get their names and friends names on the parcels at little/no cash actually in - the way it goes in development globally - i know.

David K - 3-15-2007 at 08:15 AM

I received an email this morning that confirmed what I posted above (and Doug's post since)... In fact, the ejido issue did stall things, just as Doug said but all is clear now.

The weather (WX) is usually beautiful there, the typical Pacific gloom seems to stay clear of that spot... Weather didn't stop Pebble Beach from being built, and the weather in El Rosario is tons better! Just look at my photos form almost every month in El Rosario...

If I get permission to repost the email here, I will.

Mexitron - 3-15-2007 at 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I received an email this morning that confirmed what I posted above (and Doug's post since)... In fact, the ejido issue did stall things, just as Doug said but all is clear now.

The weather (WX) is usually beautiful there, the typical Pacific gloom seems to stay clear of that spot... Weather didn't stop Pebble Beach from being built, and the weather in El Rosario is tons better! Just look at my photos form almost every month in El Rosario...

If I get permission to repost the email here, I will.

Well, where the town is the weather's pretty nice but where the golf course is its more exposed...still, if they sell it right, like the Scottish style course in Bandon, OR, the golfers will come(after living there for a year I don't see how anybody in their right mind would want to play golf out there in the coastal Oregon Dunes but the place is consistently packed).

David K - 3-15-2007 at 11:10 PM

Quote:

Here's that email:

>> DK,
>> As usual, you are dead on with your Baja knowledge! Thank you for sending
>> me
>> the link and your support. I still do read the Nomad down here Cabo. On a
>> good note, things are going great down here. We plan on having the first of
>> the two golf courses open by December. We still have big plans for El
>> Rosario and I actually just got the latest and greatest land plan from our
>> designer and the place is going to be even bigger and better than expected.
>> As you know, we hit a snag with one of the locals on a bogus land claim and
>> that really set us back (3 years) on getting things started down there.
>> Once
>> that was settled as you mentioned in your post, we had an unbelievable
>> opportunity to acquire an amazing piece of land (1,500 acres) on the
>> Pacific
>> side of Cabo, where they actually filmed the movie "Troy". We are the first
>> of 3 developments to start on this side and it's going to be a truly
>> special
>> place. It will be the same concept as ER, just at a smaller scale.
>> With some of the bogus legal issues up North, unfortunately the town of El
>> Rosario is suffering a little, but in the long run, it will be much better
>> for both us and them. We still have a big presence there, as Antonio will
>> tell you, with jobs and other support for the town. Like the annual
>> festival
>> that we donate a lot of time and money too, as well as some other projects
>> to improve the town that Antonio has been working on. We are really proud
>> of
>> the things that we have done for the town and look forward to the years to
>> come of bigger and better things, for the people of El Rosario and the
>> region. Take care and keep in touch. I will be in ER next month, so maybe
>> if
>> your in town we can hook up?

David K - 6-23-2009 at 09:13 AM

It's been over 2 years since the above email... Perhaps it is time to ask what's up in El Rosario and Cabo in light of the recent news posted about Kenny?

wilderone - 6-23-2009 at 10:29 AM

"The completed project will include the Davis Love III ocean course, Mesa Links Course, spa, vineyard, boating facilities, equestrian center, homes, casitas, etc... and will produce one of the finest Golf Clubs in the world."
AND it will have its own customs checkpoint at it's own concrete airstrip - no need to stop at a pesky international border.
Can it get any crazier than this?

woody with a view - 6-23-2009 at 12:00 PM

golf courses..... maybe there's a market for a course out along a certain deserted (for now!) coastline....

David K - 6-23-2009 at 06:05 PM

As I posted in the other thread, the project is over... as far as Kenny's part in it. A big loss for El Rosario...

Here is the other thread: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=39433

[Edited on 6-24-2009 by David K]

Less than 1/2 of any "airstrip' has been constructed.

beercan - 6-23-2009 at 06:39 PM

I land on DD on a regular basis for the Flying Samartians. Only 1/2 of the width of the runway was built, and there is no infrastructure --no access roads, or any other improvements.
Mike was correct in saying that the airstrip would be unusable at many times due to the coastal fog. In fact I had a hecka time landing there a couple of weeks ago when I had to find a hole about 7 miles South to get under the fog.
Leaving early in the next morning , it was even worse, with no holes.