Page 78 - LVGL Summer 2017

As of this writing in early summer of 2017, was a nice change. This is a ‘build it and they babies off the coast. The golf and fishing
only 11 of the 18 holes have been completed. will come’ type of place. The bay is what at- combination is nearly unmatched. Fish love
but that’s plenty to devour for any golfer. A tracted Owen to create everything here from the structure of the islands and there are
special routing allows for a full 18 holes to a barren piece of land. The reason I think the secret spots just 20 minutes from the resort.
be played and among the “Ocean’s 11” is a whole project turned out as well as it has is There are yellow fin tuna, red snapper and
more-than-memorable par 3 hole, which fea- because Owen is dedicated to the place and they are incredible to eat and featured at the
tures an island green perched on a cliff back whenever there was a decision to be made, he resort. There is so much that makes this place
dropped by the deep blue sea. deferred to the golf course routing to make it special: the color of the mountains; the stars
Not only was I impressed on a recent visit, a special course. This has been a phenomenal at night. It’s amazing. We utilize no up light-
but also some leading golf and travel writers opportunity for me.” ing because our stars are the attraction. I like
have been effusive in their praise of Danzante As Jones alluded to, when Perry first laid to call it, ‘a resort of a million stars.’ The looks
Bay and Villa Del Palmar. The following are eyes on the land and the bay about a decade on our guest’s faces has made it all worth it.”
just a few headlines sampled from recent ago, he knew he had to create a masterpiece. Perry is a partner in the Villa Group and
articles. “When we first came to Loreto there was while the resort was first to open prior to the
“Ocean’s Eleven: Danzante Bay Golf Course nothing happening, but I loved it,” Perry course, golf was always a key element in the
is Rees Jones’ Unfinished Symphony,” Michael says. “My wife and I came and stayed in the process. Partnering with Jones was an easy
Williams, GolfWRX. old inn. We were drinking wine and playing choice for Perry and the two shared a vision.
“Danzante Bay —The Next Baja Must-Play,” backgammon and we thought ‘what’s wrong “I wanted a true golf architect, not a
Tony Dear, Colorado Golfer. with this place?’ The diversity of experience personality that does golf course architec-
“Grade A Architecture—Danzante Bay you can have here is endless. There are thou- ture,” Perry says. “Rees committed to spend
Golf Club,” Matt Ward, Golf Travel Weekly. sand-year old olive trees. The whales breed a lot of time here and work with us. He has
According to Jones, each of the re- been great. I can’t even tell you what
maining seven holes will be shaped it’s been like to work with him, but
by summer and ready for play later it has been very special and even
in 2017. Overall, the project was better than we ever expected. He was
something that stunned even the always open to our ideas. It’s never
veteran architect, who has created been take it or leave it with him.
or renovated some of the best golf Basically, we’ve had a love affair with
courses in the world. How the proj- Rees Jones because of how accom-
ect has come online slowly remind- modating he has been.”
ed Jones of times gone by. Jones, Perry, and leaders on
“In the old days, golf courses were both teams worked together in the
built slowly and that is what we did creation of the hole at Danzante Bay.
here,” Jones says. “We weren’t under In the first draft of hole designs, the
pressure to open on a deadline and Architect Rees Jones 17th wasn’t included. But on a walk
we had time to make decisions. That designed Danzante of the property, the group hiked up a
Bay Golf Club

It isn’t just the 17th hole at Danzante Bay
that is special, there are holes throughout
the course that are jaw droppers.

76 LVG&L SUMMER 2017 WWW.LASVEGASGOLFANDLEISURE.COM