When, in February 2020, the PGA of America formed a strategic alliance in Mexico with Bahia Principe, a tourism group of golf courses, hotels and residences owned by Grupo Piñero in Spain, the timing really couldn’t have been any worse.

With COVID beginning to take a strangle-hold across the world, and with international borders slamming shut, tourism was put into a state of hibernation for the best part of two years.

But thanks to the global vaccination programme, 2022 has seen a resurgence in international golf travel, with pent-up demand reported to be at record-levels. Never has the desire to travel to new and exciting golf destinations been greater.

And with our new-found freedoms, the newly re-branded PGA Riviera Maya is ideally situated to cater for golfers from around the world who wish to discover all that Mexico has to offer.

Situated in the north-eastern region of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and on the Caribbean coast, PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club forms part of a community of four world-class residential and real estate resorts, and marks the first PGA of America facility in Latin America, as the Association continues to support the growth of golf outside of the United States.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, PGA Riviera Maya comprises an 18-hole, par 72 layout as well as a nine-hole, par 27 executive course – 1,265 yards in length – which is ideal for beginners, or those seeking to hone their skills before venturing out onto the 7,272 yard main championship course.

Open since 2010, the course is carved from a limestone quarry, winding its way through the lush Mayan jungle, and is dotted with natural lakes and cenotes (large sinkholes or caves).

PGA Riviera Maya is also home of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica’s Bupa Championship presented by Volvo, and in order to drive sustainable growth-of-the-game in Mexico, the golf facilities will offer player development and youth programming spearheaded by PGA professionals, as well as utilising marketing opportunities to introduce golf-centric travel packages.

Commenting on the partnership, PGA of America chief innovation officer Arjun Chowdri said: “We’re excited to partner with the Bahia Principe brand in Mexico.

“Their enthusiasm to partner with the PGA of America, not only to enhance golf tourism in Mexico, but support our mission of growing the game and positioning PGA professionals in roles of influence, provides a fantastic opportunity for the PGA to positively affect golf in the region.”

Bahia Principe Residences & Golf managing director Jaime Sitjar added: “We could not imagine a better brand to partner with to continue promoting golf and Bahia Principe’s support on this sport.

“It is a true honour and great privilege for our company to have the PGA of America beside us, supporting and contributing together for the growth of golf in Latin America, and this partnership reinforces our strategy, in order to continue offering our clients exciting experiences.”

PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club is integrated into the Tulum Country Club complex, about 15 miles from the trendy tourist town of Tulum. Four Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Resort partners are located on property all within minutes of PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club, including Luxury Sian Ka’an; Luxury Akumal; the Grand Tulum and the Grand Coba.

And if that wasn’t enough, in August 2021, PGA Riveria Maya announced a strategic partnership with PGA Oceans 4 Golf Club located on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. PGA Oceans 4 Golf Club opened for play in 2017 as La Romana Golf Club, later changing its name to the Oceans 4 Club.

The club’s 18-hole, par-72 layout, a Jack Lund design, extends to 7,334 yards and presents golfers with four unique landscapes – tropical forest; lakes and waterfalls amid a parkland-style setting; desert with rocks and sand; and seaside as four holes run along the Caribbean Sea with coconut palms and white sand beaches.

Named after the number of ocean-side holes, PGA Ocean’s 4 is available to guests staying at nearby resorts, including Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville and Bahia Principe Grand La Romana.
In addition to its 18-hole course, PGA Oceans 4 also offers a nine-hole, par-27 course that is ideal for children, beginners or those looking to work on their short game.

Both properties are managed by Troon, who provide agronomy, operations and sales and marketing support, with Ricardo Catarino, vice-president of operations saying: “PGA Riviera Maya and PGA Oceans 4 are both outstanding properties in popular and easy-to-get-to locations.

“We look forward to further developing the guest experience at each property and implementing Troon service, operations and agronomy standards.”

In that vein, both resorts have recently announced plans to add 170 of the latest-generation Club Car Tempo golf cars to their respective fleets, at a cost of US$1 million.

“Thanks to this investment,” added Sitjar, “we are making progress in our commitment to improve golf tourism in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.”