Mexico is set to join the “big league” by teeing it
up PGA style. The Riviera Maya has been selected to host the
country’s first ever official PGA Tour event February 19-25, 2007.
With a field of 132 players and a purse of $3.5 million, the
Mayakoba Classic will present Mexico’s first PGA Tour winner a
hefty $630,000 paycheck.
The tournament will be held on the 7,067-yard El
Camaleon Course at the Mayakoba Resort, the first Greg
Norman-designed golf course in Mexico. Managed by Fairmont Hotels
and Resorts, the par-72 layout spreads across a mix of scenery that
includes jungle, dense mangrove and oceanfront holes bisected by
limestone canals.
“We are very honored and pleased that the PGA Tour
has chosen Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, to host the first-ever
official PGA Tour tournament in Mexico,” said Lic. Felix Gonzalez
Canto, Governor of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
“The event will give us a perfect opportunity to
highlight not only the beauty of the region, but also our golf
courses, since the sport of golf is a growing and important
component of our overall tourism product. Also, we have an
excellent hotel infrastructure in place to readily accommodate such
a large and prestigious event.”
PGA Tour Commissioner Timothy W. Finchem shared
Canto’s enthusiasm. “The PGA Tour is very excited about making golf
history in Mexico,” he added.
“One of our goals is to expand the reach of golf,
and the Riviera Maya region of Mexico has demonstrated a growing
passion for the sport. We are pleased to be able to showcase our
players to the destination, and in turn showcase the destination to
the world.”
Located just 35 miles south of the Cancun Airport,
the Mayakoba Resort features five hotels along with luxury villas,
beaches, spas and restaurants.
The 81-mile stretch known as the Riviera Maya is
situated in the Mexican Caribbean on the coastline of the Yucatan
Peninsula. The region features uncrowded beaches, a vast network of
underground rivers, over 100 cenotes, eco-adventure sports,
proximity to many of Mexico’s most significant Mayan archeological
sites, golf courses, shopping, gourmet dining and a range of
accommodations.
www.pgatour.com
