First Glimpse: Jack Nicklaus's Quivira In Cabo

After several quiet years in Cabo San Lucas, Jack Nicklaus's Quivira looks like it'll generate some buzz this fall, only to be followed soon thereafter by Tiger Woods' design at Diamante.

(Click image to enlarge)For Immediate Release, followed by a photo of the par-3 6th hole and the cart drive to get there, described below:

Los Cabos, Mexico (May 6, 2014) – In a dramatic setting at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, marked by windswept dunes, sheer cliffs and desert foothills 10 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas, Jack Nicklaus has crafted a golf course that is poised to redefine the Cabo golf experience. Quivira Golf Club is the centerpiece of Quivira, the newest luxury development in Los Cabos, which encompasses two resorts—Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa and Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa—and three high-end real estate communities:  Montecristo Estates Luxury Villas by Pueblo Bonito, Copala, and Novaispania Residences.

“Our team has worked with the canvas Mother Nature provided to create what we hope is one of the most spectacular courses in the world,” Nicklaus said of Nicklaus Design’s sixth course in Los Cabos. “This property afforded us a rare opportunity because of its topographic diversity and natural environment.”

The formal opening of the 7,224-yard, par-72 layout on Oct. 1 will mark a watershed moment in the history of golf development in Los Cabos, a destination revered for its consistently sunny weather and unique mountain-desert-ocean ecosystem. In addition to its stunning panoramas and breathtaking drops from tee to fairway, Quivira offers players more oceanfront exposure than any other course in Los Cabos. All 18 holes feature outstanding vistas of the Pacific and, in the winter months, views of breaching whales.
 
The $40 million golf facility at Quivira, more than eight years in the making, commences at sea level near the rolling surf before climbing to a highest point of more than 350 feet above sea level, where the views are a match for the challenge. During the round, players can refresh themselves at four comfort stations interspersed throughout the all-inclusive facility. A halfway house situated near the eighth green, called the “Oasis,” will showcase the culinary talents of the resort’s chefs, with tuna sliders, fish tacos and Mexican specialties available.

The first three holes at Quivira head inland away from the sea before reversing direction at the par-5 fourth hole, which plays over a pond to a broad fairway framed by rolling dunes and raw desert.

The three-quarter mile drive to the fifth hole, which crosses arroyo-spanning bridges and traces a switchback route up the side of a mountain, has already been dubbed the “Greatest Drive in Golf.” At more than 200 feet above sea level, the tee at the short par-4 fifth hole offers splendid views of the beach and crashing waves far below. The par-3 sixth, its concave cliff-top green carved from the base of a massive dune, is equally dramatic. The layout then weaves through the dunes, returns to the cliffs at the dazzling par-3 13th hole, proceeds inland through the desert toward distant mountain peaks, and drops sharply from a set of elevated tees at Nos. 16 and 17, a pair of thrilling par 4s. Quivira’s par-4 18th hole, stretching to 469 yards, is a classic links-style creation that plays to an infinity-edge green overlooking the sea.

Completing the experience at Quivira Golf Club is a stylish, thatched-roof clubhouse between the first tee and 18th green that offers a large rectangular bar, a casual steakhouse, and ample outdoor seating overlooking the sea. Beside the clubhouse is a spacious double-ended practice facility that parallels the ocean, as well as an elongated practice putting green and an expanded short-game practice area. 

Quivira Golf Club is accessible to guests of the four Pueblo Bonito Oceanfront Resorts and Spas in Los Cabos, and to owners of properties in Copala, Montecristo Estates Luxury Villas, and Novaispania Residences.  Each of the Pueblo Bonito Resorts welcomes guests with lavish accommodations, unsurpassed service, fine dining and a host of on-site amenities.  Complimentary shuttle service to and from Quivira Golf Club will be included within the Quivira development.

Tiger Woods The Writer Getting Long-Winded In His Old Age

For a guy who grinds out so many blog posts for TigerWoods.com, you'd think Tiger Woods would get a little more succinct in his old age. But with plenty of free time the injured legend files a 1600 word post today about his back rehabilitation (still sore from the scar), the Masters (he got bored once Fred Couples was out of it), his kids (competing with them already), Lindsey's rehab (she's farther along), his swing (Sean Foley is still his man), OneRepublic (hot with hits) and his schedule (mentions are of the FedExCup and Ryder Cup).

It's kind of like a Christmas card newsletter for golf geeks.

Luke Kerr-Dineen offers a Cliff Notes version at The Loop.

Naturally I enjoyed imagining him reaching for the remote when Couples missed a couple of putts.

I actually watched quite a bit of it because Freddie [Couples] was in contention. As soon as his name went up on the leaderboard, I started watching what he was doing. Once he got off to that bad start Sunday, it wasn't as much fun.

I was happy for Bubba Watson and want to congratulate him on winning his second green jacket. The golf course sets up great for a long fader who is left-handed. It sets up perfectly because it's so much easier to cut the ball than it is to turn it over on No. 10. On No. 13, it is much easier to cut it and carry it; if you try to carry it with a draw, it's not going to stay in the air as much as it would with a cut. Same thing with No. 14. I think that's one of the reasons Phil [Mickelson] and Bubba have done so well there is because they both fade the ball really well for lefties.

Having a 350-yard fade in reserve, a wicked imagination and a deadly blade also helps.

He also added this on Ike's Tree:

As far as losing the Eisenhower tree on No. 17, I only saw the hole a few times during the tournament, and it did look more wide open. But your landing area is still the same. At least it is for guys with my length. I've hit the Eisenhower tree before, but I've hit bad tee shots to hit it. Guys who hit the ball as long as I do didn't really worry about the tree. The shorter guys have to play it up the right side because they can't carry it.

It sounds like he's having a hard time seeing a visit to Liverpool happening:

After Quicken, there's Greenbrier and The Open Championship, and of the course the U.S. Open is about six weeks away. You can understand why I want to hurry up and get better. I'd also like to play in the FedExCup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup. But obviously, I'm going to have to play really well to earn points to get into the playoffs and play my way onto to the team or have to rely on a captain's pick.