Golf: Mexico's Las Palomas Beach and Golf Resort

For an altogether different golfing experience, one deep in the heart of the Sonoran desert, you’ll need to head across the border, to an amazing place called Puerto Peñasco. Situated at the northern end of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, the community known to many Americans as “Rocky Point” is a unique mix of desert and water. Looking down on the vast sandy landscape as you fly in on AeroMexico’s quick nonstop flight from LAX, it is hard to imagine that there could possibly be water anywhere close; then suddenly, the bay that marks the beginning of the sea appears, glistening blue against all that beige.

The dusty little town of Puerto Peñasco doesn’t have much to see, so head off toward the water, where numerous hotels dot the coastline, including the Las Palomas Beach and Golf Resort. A condo-hotel development, Las Palomas offers luxury accommodations that include a round of golf at their links-style course for very reasonable prices (golf, a one-bedroom ocean-view suite with all the expected amenities, and breakfast, for $307 a night, for example).

The view of the Sea of Cortez from Las Palomas.
Playing the Las Palomas course is quite the experience. Built in the tradition of the oldest Scottish courses where the sand and sea also come together, the 18-hole, par 72 championship course was designed by Forrest Richardson and Jack Snyder with the idea of re-creating that same melding of dunes, greens, fairways, and wind that characterize a true links course. Don’t look for many trees or other foliage along this course; there are a few water elements, but this is a true desert experience.

The golf course at Las Palomas.
As you meander around the course, there are spots where gorgeous views of the bay will stop you for a moment’s reflection; then it is back to concentrating on your shots, which often need to be cleverly placed to take into consideration the undulating terrain created by the dunes that underpin the fairways and greens. For picture-perfect weather, visit Las Palomas in the winter, spring, and fall; summer can be quite hot, so plan to golf in the early morning hours, then hit the water for some afternoon cooling off.

La Maria Restaurant.

Dinner is a treat at the resort’s La Maria bistro, where Mexican cuisine is taken to elegant levels by Executive Chef Patrick Louis, with an emphasis on seafood, especially those varieties caught fresh in the nearby sea. At Citron, the fine dining restaurant also overseen by Louis, you’ll find a French influence (be sure to try the Escargots de Bourgogne, yummy bites drenched in garlic butter) and an extensive wine list with choices ranging from native Mexican varietals to bottles from around the globe.

For more information go to www.laspalomas.com.