Known for its world-class deep-sea fishing, whale watching and off-road racing, the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula is becoming a burgeoning golf destination.
Oleada Los Cabos, an 860-acre oceanfront resort community that includes Oleada Golf Links, luxury real estate and two five-star resorts, is the latest high-end golf experience to open in and around Cabo San Lucas.
It will be the first course in Mexico for the Ernie Els Design team, with a grand opening in November ahead of the peak winter golf season.
“Los Cabos has become the mecca of golf in Mexico and has set a new standard for golf in Latin America,” says Mario Navarro, head golf professional at Oleada Los Cabos. “The number of golf courses has grown considerably in the last 15 years, and there are more golf and residential projects underway. Golf amenities here in Cabo have provided and will continue to provide exciting and unforgettable golf experiences, and let’s not forget the luxury factor as well.”
The ocean views alone are worth the $300 to $450 price tag for a round, depending on the season, on this links-style layout.
“Nearly every hole offers views of the Pacific Ocean, while the course is thoughtfully integrated with the native landscape,” Navarro says. “With such a scenic setting, golfers will find plenty of opportunities to capture memorable moments throughout their rounds.”
“I was amazed at how beautiful the site was, where the desert meets the dunes,” adds Greg Letsche, partner and senior design associate at Ernie Els Design. “It’s a pure desert links-style course and a special piece of property.”
Els, the Hall of Fame four-time major champion, and Letsche took a minimalist approach to the 7,336-yard design of Oleada Golf Links, which stretches along a 1-mile-long beachfront property.
“The course is unique in how naturally it blends into the surrounding environment, with holes winding through the desert and coastal dunes,” Letsche says. “The varied lengths and strategic challenges — particularly the distinctive par 3s in the dunes — will make for a memorable golf experience.”
Navarro says the sixth hole in particular will stick in the mind of resort golfers as they review their rounds.
“It is truly an amazing hole, both in terms of playability and scenery,” Navarro says. “The short but challenging par 5 offers various scoring opportunities. From the tee, golfers have the option of hitting a soft drive into the safety area to the right, followed by an accurate layup to avoid the two mini-dunes in the middle of the fairway. The second option is to take on the hole with a big, straight drive through the dune tunnel, creating a better opportunity to reach the green in two. It’s a true risk-reward hole that demands a little more than usual. The scenery is a tribute to Pacific golf in Los Cabos, with the southern view extending to the famous Pacific Lighthouse and the northern view showcasing the dunes and Pacific Ocean.”
During construction, Letsche and his crew initially fought strong winds while shaping the course.
“But ultimately, we learned to use the wind to our advantage, allowing it to help shape the course’s features and dunes,” he says.
Nine holes opened this summer for preview play, and Navarro says the reaction was humbling.
“We wanted golfers to experience the course as soon as possible, so we began with a soft opening of holes 10 through 18, and the response was incredible,” he says. “Golfers were impressed by the course’s playability, food and beverage amenities, and attentive golf staff, with all receiving high praise. Once all 18 holes open, the acclaim will simply double.”
This area was remote and rural until the late 20th century, when the Mexican government began to develop Cabo San Lucas for tourism, with the climate as a main draw.
The southern tip of Baja California is now a hotspot for American and Canadian tourists and is expected to keep growing with offerings such as Oleada Los Cabos. More than 1 million tourists come to this area every year from the United States alone.
“We’re excited to be a wonderful addition to the Los Cabos golf community,” Navarro says. “Without taking anything away from the area’s other courses, Ernie Els, Greg Letsche and their team have created a course that feels as though the grass was simply laid over the natural landscape, resulting in a variety of fun, challenging and scenic holes that embrace the dunes and views of the Pacific.”
The course is open to the public for now, but there are plans for a more private experience down the road.
“Los Cabos has become one of the most exciting golf destinations in Mexico, with an impressive collection of courses set against its dramatic desert and coastal landscape,” Letsche adds. “Oleada Golf Links adds something truly distinctive to the mix, draped over windswept dunes and sandy ridges with sweeping views of the Pacific. We embraced the site’s natural contours, rolling dunes and elevation changes to create a true links-style course that flows naturally with the land and accentuates playability for golfers of all skill levels.”
