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Ah, there's nothing like a winter vacation to warm weather spot. Cancun
is a resort town on the northeastern corner of the Yucatan peninsula.
The area had a population of 170 in 1970 and is now over 120,000. It
was selected as a resort location by the Mexican government because of
the weather, white powder beaches, clear water, nearby archeolological
finds. The purpose: to attract $$$.
There is only one course in the immediate hotel area. It is a Robert
Trent Jones designed course named Pok-Ta-Pok (after the ball courts
in the Mayan ruins). It is fairly long, championship: 6651, regular:
6086, ladies: 5522. Per RTJ style, there are a lot of traps, and
large undulating greens. Some of the holes are along water, and
some are along hotels/condos. The only water on the course is on
18, a channel crossing the fairway. It takes two good Poks to get
it across. I was the only one in our foursome to do so. They were
both perfect shots. The greens are large and look like they are
very rough, because the grass is somewhat sparse. They actually
putt fairly true and are somewhat fast.
They have carts, caddies, and clubs available. I brought my own clubs
as I wouldn't have felt comfortable playing an RTJ course without my
own clubs. After a three month layoff and a shaky start I finished
with a 91. Not good, not bad, considering. Just glad to be playing.
I only played once as there were so many things to do and only a week
to do them in. One recommendation, take along an extra Dos Ecques (XX
beer) on the front and back, as there are no refreshment stands along
the way and it can get pretty thirsty out.
Enjoy the sun and the weather, and if you should have a cancelation,
give me a call.
Rod
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| I just got back from a week in Cancun and thought I'd update
this note.
There are 2 courses that I'm aware of. One is Pok-Ta-Pok, as mentioned
previously. The other is a much more difficult par 3 course that runs
around the southernmost Melia hotel (there are at least 2 :-). It
costs $20 to play, the holes are all between 80 and 140 yards long.
The greens are TINY, it's really great (albeit expensive) practice.
Pok-Ta-Pok is the Robert Trent Jones course. It's now $50 for greens
fees, a cart is $30, and club rental is $18. It's designed for a cart,
there are at least 3 hikes of 300 yards or more from a green to the
next tee. (The trip from number 9 green to the 10th tee is especially
challenging ...)
It was in pretty good shape, but certainly not resort golf as you
typically think of it. The course is generally wide open and
fairly short. Par 73 with 5 par 5s, 6100 yards from the whites.
However, it didn't play that short, seems like the wind is always
against you. (Cancun is always breezy, which is great for the beach...)
The greens were fast and in fine shape. Typical Trent Jones bunkering
around the greens, but the fairways seemed more lenient than I
had expected.
It seemed very crowded each time I rode by it. It gets dark at 6:00,
so most folks are out early trying to get their 18 in. I went off at
2:00 and just barely got in 18. But I think you'd be in for at least
a 5 hour round if you play in the morning. Take a cab there, the
(excellent) bus service won't get you within a half mile of the
clubhouse. The course is clearly marked on all the maps you receive
at the Cancun airport.
It's got some nice holes along the lagoon, and it's fun vacation golf.
But it's not what you typically expect for $50. I brought my clubs
and played each course once. There are MANY other things to do and see
in Cancun, and the beaches are simply fantastic.
Now for what you REALLY want to know... :-)
After a 3 month layoff I finished the last 6 holes -2 for 39 (+2)
on the back, to salvage an 82.
Cheers,
Mike
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