LOS
CABOS, MEXICO—Solmar Hotels & Resorts,
a collection of seven all-suite properties in Los Cabos, has embraced the
destination’s emphasis on environmental stewardship by implementing sustainable
regulations and developing eco-friendly projects.
At Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, a new resort fronting 1.2-miles of
beachfront on the Pacific Ocean 15 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, 106 acres of
the development’s total of 834 acres, has been preserved in its natural state.
An additional 186 acres is dedicated to the golf course. Together totaling 292
acres, this parcel represents 35 percent of the development and has resulted in
the creation of a low-density resort community. Utilities were buried
underground to further preserve the site’s open space and natural beauty.
The Grand Solmar resort hotel, partially opened last year, preserved as much of
the natural environment as possible, starting with a landscape palette of
native vegetation. On the golf course, endemic species adapted to the region’s
arid climate were used to minimize water usage. Finally, roads throughout the
complex were engineered and contoured to preserve centuries-old trees and tall
cardon cacti.
Course Designed by Greg Norman
Course designer Greg Norman is very upbeat about the layout taking shape at
Rancho San Lucas. Known for employing a “least-disturbance” approach in his
design projects, Norman has created an intricate routing that offers ocean
views from 17 holes. The site’s contours and topography, he explained, are
ideal for the routing of a world-class course. Earthmoving, he said, was kept
to a minimum.
“We have three different ecosystems, which is very exciting,” Norman explained.
The course meanders through a thick cactus forest creased by canyon-like
arroyos before descending to enormous windswept dunes. The 7,260-yard layout
also has a few holes on the beach, notably the par-3 third, which parallels the
sea and will give players fine views of breaching whales during the winter
months. A fall 2019 course opening is anticipated.
During a recent visit, Norman discussed numerous course enhancements at Rancho
San Lucas, including re-vegetation plans to conserve flora and fauna. “We look
at integrating indigenous landscapes and grass varietals that use the least
amount of water,” he said. “Our goal is to build a sustainable course that is
playable from all perspectives.”
Room for Wildlife
The creation of wildlife habitats has been a boon to the region’s native fauna.
The layout’s water holes, both beautiful and functional, have attracted
numerous local species, from birds and hares to deer and bobcats, while
simultaneously creating pleasant oases for the resort community’s guests and
residents. The club also features a man-made lake at the par-3 17th hole that
attracts ducks, cranes, egrets and other waterfowl.
Tees, greens and fairways at Rancho San Lucas are surfaced in Paspalum, a
disease-tolerant, drought-resistant cultivar that requires a fraction of the
amount of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizer required by normal grasses.
Pasplaum tolerates brackish water and can be irrigated with recycled water, an
important consideration in the Baja desert. The grass responds well to lower
mowing heights; the speed of ball roll is comparable to that of hybrid
Bermudagrass.
One of the defining characteristics of the links-style course at Rancho San
Lucas is its revetted pot bunkers. These sharp-edged, steep-walled sandy pits
are the product of EcoBunker, a British company with a patented technology that
provides for the design and construction of golf bunkers that use recycled
materials. The fairway and greenside bunkers at Rancho San Lucas, constructed
from recycled artificial turf, are nearly identical to the natural sod-walled
bunkers found on British seaside links courses. Resistant to wash-outs, the
club’s synthetic low-maintenance bunkers are a first in Los Cabos.
“I wanted to be a differentiator,” said Norman, a two-time British Open
champion. “There are a lot of great golf developments in Los Cabos, but I’m
very pleased that Rancho San Lucas is the first to have revetted pot bunkers.
Technology has helped us.”