Punta Mita Announces Restoration Project for Pacifico and Bahia Golf Courses

Punta Mita, the ultra-luxurious resort and residential community situated in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, announces a five-year restoration project for the development’s Pacifico and Bahia Golf Courses. Phase One started April 26, 2021 and focuses on all 19 Pacifico Golf Course greens, bunkers and surrounds, as well as the conclusion of a tee replacement project. The course greens will be re-grassed with TifEagle and the surrounds with Trinity Zoysia. Phase One is slated to be completed in November 2021 and Phase Two will launch in April 2022 with a focus on the Bahia greens and surrounds and completion of the tee boxes. Plans for Phases Three and Four tentatively include replacement of existing fairways with Trinity Zoysia grass seen in the tees and green surrounds. Project planning allows that both courses will be open for play during the destination’s high season from November to April.  

Led by original Nicklaus Design Senior Designer Jim Lipe, the project team will also include veteran Nicklaus Design Course Shaper Bob Rubideaux, who provided senior leadership during initial course construction for the Pacifico Golf Course and shaped the new driving range facility.

“We are happy to have Senior Designer Jim Lipe overseeing this project. He has a foundational understanding of the original design elements for both the Pacifico and Bahia Golf Courses and will deliver a new energy to the area,” sayes Punta Mita Director of Golf John McIntyre. Director of Club Marketing and Operations Carl Emberson adds, “The end result is to have stronger playability and an aesthetically pleasing appeal that will improve the member and guest golf experience.”

“Golf is an exceptional part of the Punta Mita experience,” says John O'Sullivan, General Manager and Regional Vice President, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.  “We cannot think of Punta Mita without golf or vice versa. It becomes almost poetic to see how this quintessential activity is constantly evolving to keep its prominent position as a worldwide leader in the golf community.”

Additional updates include the construction of a new clubhouse within the next five years as part of the master plan. Planned amenities include a members-only bar and lounge, game room and gym. To further the programming at Punta Mita’s Golf Academy, Guest European Tour Professional Jean van de Velde will be offering his expertise on golf instruction on select dates between May and October 2021. During high season, the Golf Academy is home to Golf Magazine Top 50 Instructor Tom Stickney.

Punta Mita is home to two Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship Golf Courses. The 7,014-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature Pacifico Golf Course features the iconic Hole 3b, known as the “Tail of the Whale,” an island green on a natural ocean island, which acts as an exclamation point for the entire world-class facility. Set on 380 acres (150 hectares) of peninsula, bordered by both the Pacific Ocean and beautiful Banderas Bay, the private Punta Mita Golf Club is open exclusively to Club Punta Mita Members and their guests, as well as guests of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.