Rogelio Abarca talks about how Greg Norman Golf Course Design’s least-disturbance approach to design in Mexico has delivered distinctive playing experiences within natural settings
Greg Norman Golf Course Design’s first project in Mexico was El Camaleón at Mayakoba, completed in 2004, followed by Playa Mujeres in 2005. These early designs introduced us to the extraordinary ecological richness of the region, where dense jungle, mangroves and coastal ecosystems demanded a thoughtful and restrained approach to design.
From the outset, our ‘least disturbance’ design philosophy guided the work. In environments like Riviera Maya where El Camaleón was built, the goal was not to impose a golf course onto the landscape, but to carefully shape the course within it. Many natural elements had to be preserved while working with the terrain and surrounding biodiversity. That approach ultimately contributed to the layout being certified by Audubon International, reflecting a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.
Over the years, we have completed many more projects across Mexico, but our focus has remained consistent: respecting the natural environment while creating memorable golf experiences that reflect the unique character of each landscape in which we work. Mexico offers an extraordinary range of landscapes, and we have had the privilege of designing courses across many of them. In Riviera Maya, the terrain is defined by dense jungle, cenotes and natural waterways, where the richness of the ecosystem requires a thoughtful approach that carefully works within the existing environment.
The ecosystems of Los Cabos, where we have projects like Solmar Golf Links (main image at top of this story), are characterised by a unique mix of desert, mountains, the Pacific Ocean and coral reefs of high biodiversity. The design embraces the natural contours, arroyos and coastal vistas, allowing the course to look like it has been part of the landscape for generations. Along Mexico’s Pacific coast, the Norman course at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta presented a very different setting, where expansive beaches meet the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range. In this landscape, the design balances oceanfront character with the broader natural backdrop of mountains, vegetation and coastal ecosystems.
The Vidanta Vallarta course lies alongside the Ameca River, where the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range meet the Pacific Ocean (Photo: Grupo Vidanta)
We have also worked in a completely different context in Mexico City, at Club de Golf Chapultepec, located within one of the world’s largest and most dynamic metropolitan areas. There, the design responds to an established historic setting, preserving the distinctive character of the landscape.
Across all these environments, our approach remains consistent. We allow the landscape to guide the design, integrating the golf course into the natural character of each site. The goal is always to create courses that feel inseparable from their surroundings.
Greg Norman Golf Course Design’s masterplan for Club de Golf Chapultepec, which has hosted many tournaments, including LIV Golf Mexico City (Image: Greg Norman Golf Course Design)
Golf courses often play a central role in the success of resort and residential developments because they help define the identity of a destination. A well-designed course becomes far more than an amenity; it becomes a focal point that attracts visitors, encourages tourism and enhances the long-term value of the surrounding development. In Mexico, many of our projects have contributed to the growth of golf tourism by offering distinctive playing experiences within natural settings. While we do not fundamentally design differently for these projects, each course is shaped by two key factors: the natural characteristics of the site and the objectives of the client.
When golf is thoughtfully integrated into a project, it can become a powerful catalyst for growth. A compelling course can elevate the global profile of a destination, support higher hotel occupancy and room rates, and enhance the value of surrounding real estate. It also creates opportunities to host professional tournaments and marquee events, which further strengthen the visibility and reputation of the destination within the global golf community. Our courses in Mexico have hosted events on the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and LPGA Tour, helping to establish their regions as world-class golf destinations.
While championship courses continue to play this role at the highest level, the evolution of resort destinations has also created demand for more flexible and accessible golf experiences. Short courses are playing an increasingly important role in the continued growth of golf in Mexico because they introduce a strong social and recreational dimension to the game. In many resort destinations, short courses also respond to how visitors want to experience golf while travelling. In locations such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, we have been involved in developing short course concepts at Playa Mujeres, Mandarina and the upcoming Tezcalame development. In these destinations, short courses offer a flexible alternative to an 18-hole round, allowing guests to enjoy a high-quality golf experience in a shorter timeframe, often in a more social setting that can even extend into evening play.
GNGCD’s routing plan for Tezcalame, a new golf community development in Mexico (Image: Greg Norman Golf Course Design)
They also provide an attractive option for new resort and residential developments that may not have the land or scale required for a full championship layout. In these cases, a well-designed short course can deliver a compelling golf experience while requiring a smaller footprint and lower construction and maintenance investment. For developers, this creates an opportunity to enhance the value and appeal of a destination while introducing golf to a broader audience.
Latin America is one of the most vibrant and dynamic markets for golf development. We continue to see strong demand for projects that range from new championship courses to renovations of historic clubs and the introduction of shorter formats that broaden the appeal of the game.
Across the region, we are currently working on several new championship courses that reflect the diversity of landscapes and destinations where golf continues to grow. At the same time, we are also engaged in renovation work at some of the region’s most established clubs with these projects focus on modernising the courses while preserving their character and strengthening the overall playing experience.
In addition, we are developing short format and nine-hole courses that reflect the evolving ways people engage with golf today. Projects like Tezcalame are designed to provide high-quality golf experiences in a more flexible format that complements resort destinations and emerging developments.
There is a great diversity of golf developments across Latin America and there is continued momentum within the region as a global golf destination.
Rogelio Abarca is a golf course architect at Greg Norman Golf Course Design
This article first appeared in the April 2026 issue of Golf Course Architecture. For a printed subscription or free digital edition, please visit our subscriptions page.