CANCÚN 180 • Iberostar Cancún 307 • Moon Palace Golf & Spa
307 Grand Coral Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen
• The Golf Club at Playacar
some of the best diving sites in the world are only minutes away, with a scuba center to take care of a diver’s desires. The all-inclusive aspect
of Iberostar becomes more satisfying as evening approaches. Themed restaurants, buffets and snack shops each have their own flavor. Or, if sampling is your passion, you can visit several, taking a bit from each to make up a wonderful evening as you wander the tropical grounds alongside the ever-changing landscapes of flowers, sitting areas, walkways and bridges, as well as mangroves to the serenade of birds of virtually every color. The evening is not complete, though, without also taking in the bars and nightclubs, many with live entertainment that changes from day to day. The hotel offerings are only
one example of the several levels of “heaven” to suit all tastes. When one thinks of “all- inclusive” here, it also includes every conceivable beach activity. No matter where you are from, the myriad blues and greens of the warm Caribbean have to be sampled. But, first the golf. The
immediate impression from 34 | AZ GOLF Insider | ANNUAL 2014
the first tee is impeccable conditioning. Then you will find a great variety of quirky mounding and rolling landscapes, along with cavernous bunkers and beautiful cenotes to avoid. The course is as inviting and challenging as anyone would want, having recently hosted the “Big Break-Mexico.” Plenty of tees allow players of all skill levels to enjoy the layout that weaves through a mangrove forest complete with the cacophony of parakeets, bright blue Yucatan jays, orioles and tanagers. In its many lakes, you will pass by cormorants looking for a second breakfast, golden slipper egrets and colorful lizards. One day, I was sitting in my
golf cart just off the third green of this Dye-designed course, watching a coati waltzing through a thicket looking for breakfast. The swinging rhythm of his stride reminded me to keep my putting stroke smooth. That thought gave me a birdie on the hole and
conveniently added clarity to describing this Iberostar Resort - Paraiso (Paradise), indeed. I have to share one last
reference to the golf course. My favorite hole is the par-5 seventh, refreshingly wide open after threading through six jungle-trapped fairways, it ends on a roller-coaster green. I would normally decry such an egregious attack on nature, but the setting is so captivating it works. I can’t wait for my next round.
IBEROSTAR CANCUN At Iberostar Cancún Golf Club, the player-friendly course is designed to test players of all levels. Roundtrip transportation takes you to and from the course, conveniently located just two minutes from the hotel’s main lobby. Players can warm-up or groove their swing on the club’s practice range and putting green. At Iberostar Cancún, like all Iberostar golf clubs, all-inclusive hospitality extends from the entryway to the fairway. Enjoy endless snacks and beverage service courtesy of on-course refreshment carts and at the 19th Hole Restaurant and Bar. Designed by legendary
golfer Isao Aoki, this par-72 championship course features water on 10 of the holes and the not-to-be-missed remnants of the El Rey Mayan ruins along the par-4 16th.
MAYAKOBA For those fans of the PGA Tour, Mayakoba casts an inviting net. A few years ago, the Spanish company OHL dived into sponsoring the Mayakoba Classic, part of the FedEx Cup Series in November, bringing attention to the game on the Riviera Maya. The El Camaleón Golf Course is a compelling resort layout, strong enough for the Tour players, but kind enough for the casual player as well. Like its namesake, the course changes colors on each nine, from the first hole crossing a cenote (a fresh water sinkhole), while weaving through jungle vegetation, then running along mangrove forests to beachfront dunes and back again. Elegant bridges separate holes while gondolas underneath transfer guests to their rooms. The ninth green ends the front nine alongside a spectacular cenote. Then it’s on to the 10th, where Fred Funk ended the first
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• El Manglar Golf Course • Iberostar Paraiso Lindo
• El Camaleón Golf Course • Grand Coral Riviera Maya
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