Golfing at Mayakoba: Celebrating 10 years of the OHL Classic
Greg Norman’s El Camaleon design at Mayakoba is a stunning layout blending beautifully with nature to create an awe-inspiring field of play. Like a tree-dwelling chameleon, the routing changes colors and angles as it meanders through mangroves and jungle to the seashore. The challenge is exacerbated by tropical winds and dense vegetation, freshwater canals and lagoons adjacent to the fairways. “As a golf course designer, I pride myself on finding the most desirable natural features of a site and incorporating them into the golf routing.” shared Norman. “At Mayakoba, players can enjoy impeccable fairways surrounded by mangroves, tropical forests, cenotes and crystalline streams with greens bordering white Caribbean beaches. El Camaleon truly embodies a design that transforms itself as it moves from ecosystem to ecosystem.”
El Camaleon is the first golf course ever to host a PGA Tour event in Mexico and outside of the United States or Canada. “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the OHl Classic. Its impressive to see how the event has grown, as has Mayakoba resort,” said Joe Mazzep, OHL Tournament Director. Mayakoba is an ideal place to host players, families, 15,000 spectators and media in luxury and comfort.
The 2016 OHL tournament showcases 132 top tour professionals with ESPN and Golf Channel coverage. The $7 million golf purse, largest of any in Latin America, is up for grabs. It earns the winner $1,116,000, 500 FedEx Cup Points and on invitation to the 2017 Masters at Augusta. “Mayakoba is tailor-made for such a high-profile golf tour event with its hospitality and picture postcard images. The visibility of the OHL Classic is great for golf and growth of the game in Mexico and Latin America and important to local tourism and economy,” said Mazzeo. Charitable contributions of $2 million generated from the PHL event have benefitted area organizations including Golf for Everyone.
Graeme McDowell had not been playing well prior to the event. However, after scoring 18-under par and besting a three-man playoff, he won the 2015 OHL Classic for his third career PGA Tour victory. McDowell said, “It was a very good week and meant a lot to my career. Mayakoba is beautiful, the golf course is stunning and the people are fantastically friendly.” He is excited to return as defending champion and guest at one of his favorite resorts.
Mayakoba guests have access to the well-maintained El Camaleon championship course that stretches to 7,067 yards from the tips, while the five sets of tees comfortable accommodate golfers of all levels. The tee to green salt-tolerant paspalum grass is optimal for humid tropical, coastal climates and helps sustain turf quality and appearance. The facilities, services and amenities contribute to a pleasant golfing experience, including delectable chef-created cuisine at Koba. Glen Preciado, Director of Golf at El Camaleon, coordinates the Mayakoba Cup, an amateur competition open to participants at the Masters of Food, Wine and Golf event.
As a result of Mayakoba’s eco-conscious commitment to environmental programs, El Camaleon is a Certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary. It has been awarded for maintaining high quality management of wildlife habitats, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality.
The Jim McLean Golf School of Mayakoba provides opportunities for golfers to learn and improve through instruction from certified teaching professionals, ball and swing analysis, and/or club fitting sessions. The school’s comprehensive resources include a driving range, short game area, putting green, video and technology monitors.
“It is hard to believe that a decade has already passed since the first OHL Classic, the first PGA Tour event. What a testament to the strength of the game in Mexico. It goes without saying that PHL has been paramount to the growth of golf and I consider them great friends and first-class developers,” said Greg Norman.
For more information about El Camaleon and the OHL Mayakoba Golf Classic visit www.moyakobagolf.com.
