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Written by Rick Stedman
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Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00 |
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 Happy New Year! There’s nothing quite like teeing it up on the first morning of the New Year. It’s like the slate is wiped clean and all is new, and just maybe your new golf game—the one you dreamed about for Christmas—will finally show up.
To find a warmer climate and some great golf, head south of the border. Bajamar Ocean Front Golf Resort has been a favorite getaway for travelers since its inception in the 1970s. Located an hour’s drive south of San Diego, Bajamar offers a spectacular coastal setting with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This Baja California resort has often been equated to Pebble Beach as several of its 27 holes of championship golf sit directly on the ocean.
Local resident Carla White knows the nuances of the course almost as well as head professional golfer Patrick Shaw. She and her husband, Jim, have called Bajamar home for the last eight years, but more importantly, Carla has served as a course marshal. “More than most, I am familiar with most of the course’s nooks and crannies, and definitely its highlights,” says White. She says that what differentiates the Bajamar course is its sheer natural beauty, coupled with the fact that a desalination plant ensures green fairways year-round.
White describes the Bajamar course as follows: “It sounds like an ad for the tourism board, but it is true that the course is framed by rolling hills, craggy canyons, and the vast blue ocean. I think I speak for residents and golfers when I say that one of our favorite times of year is during the gray whale migration (December through March). We can see them spouting away right from the tee boxes and fairways. Frankly, it is distracting because it is so amazing! Whales aside, it is not unusual to see bobcats, hawks, osprey, blue heron, and other creatures—that’s one of the benefits of having a golf course on a largely uninhabited peninsula.”
Often called the “Pebble Beach South of the Border,” Bajamar offers a scenic and memorable golfing experience for players of all skill levels. It has three distinct nine-hole courses, each with something unique to offer.
The Lagos (Lakes) was built in 1976 and designed by Percy Clifford. The course was revitalized in 1991 by David Fleming. As the name would suggest, there’s lots of water, but the terrain is relatively flat, providing spectacular views of the Baja coastline. “Lagos is a little bit shorter, but with two holes featuring elevated tee boxes, it is perhaps the most fun,” suggests White.
The Vista (View) was also designed by David Fleming in the 1990s and offers a little more up and down play. It’s a beautiful desert-style course, but if you miss the fairway, leave the ball and move on. Rattlesnake signs are posted for a reason.
The Oceano (Ocean) is the track that visitors enjoy the most, mainly because of the five holes that front the ocean. Built in 1994 and designed by world-renowned golf course architect Robert von Hagge, the Oceano nine features several stunning holes, with crashing waves and beautiful scenery competing for your attention—as you’re trying to putt! Hole 5—the signature hole—is the focus of the entire Bajamar golf experience. This spectacular par 3 measures 185 yards from the tips, but you need to carry over a cove, while the surf is crashing onto the lava rocks just beneath the tee box. Many visitors spend a little extra time here taking photos and savoring the experience. There might be a backup here on busy days. But fortunately, there’s a snack bar, restroom, and small putting green to accompany that superb view.
The Beauty of Bajamar
According to White, a lot of people think Bajamar is off-limits to the public because its entrance features a huge, staffed front gate, which is quite typical for many Mexican resorts. But once they know that they can visit, stay at the hotel, golf and so forth, they are hooked.
Bajamar has a European feel to it, one of privacy, serenity and safety. White says, “I would also say that one of the things that attracted me and my husband to Bajamar is its visual beauty, with its red-tiled roofs, white-washed houses, stately palm trees, and abundant geraniums. It looks a lot like Spain to us.”
Bajamar’s Dos Lagos Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu offers both Mexican and American delicacies along with Puerto Nuevo style lobster. On the weekend, breakfast and dinner are both buffet style with an abundant variety of food options. The Sand Trap Bar offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The resort’s website is bajamar.com.
For RVers, try the Baja Seasons Beach Front RV Resort (baja-web.com/baja-seasons/index.html) in nearby Ensenada. It offers 140 RV spaces in a guarded community, and is located right on the beach just a few miles north of Bajamar. Another option is Campo Playa (ontheroadin.com/baja/bajarvparks/campoplaya_campo.htm), on the east side of town in Ensenada. It offers 60 full hookups and lots of other amenities, and is also near the Gigante Super Market.
Overall, visitors to Bajamar Ocean Front Golf Resort will not be disappointed in their experience. Whether it’s a relaxing getaway or a golfing weekend, the Bajamar experience will stay with you until the next New Year and beyond.
Golf Shows Set for Seattle
The annual Seattle Golf and Travel Show will coincide with the 49th edition of the Seattle RV Show at the Century Link Field and Event Center in downtown Seattle. The RV Show will open on Feb. 9 and the Golf and Travel Show on Feb. 10 and both will run through February 12. This will be the third year the two shows have been held simultaneously. Attendees wishing to get a flavor of each can purchase a combination RV show/golf show ticket at the door for $15. Visit theseattlervshow.com for details.
Rick Stedman is an avid golfer, RVer, and writer who lives in Yakima, Washington. Rick writes a weekly golf blog, “The 19th Hole,” which is published every Saturday at rvlife.com. He can be reached at rstedman@gmail.com.
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