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A Long and Rich History... |
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A Good Walk in
Baja Golf...
Mark
Twain, the pen name of Samuel
Langhorne Clemens, is credited with the
phrase, “Golf, a good walk spoiled” and
would later become the title of a book
referring to the frustrations one might
experience with the game. Thinking about
that I wondered if he would feel the same
after playing on one of my favorite courses
in the world.
Baja California, Mexico is blessed with
several great options to choose from when
pulling out the clubs and brushing the dried
grass of your soft spikes. My
favorite 18 holes of golf are found at Club
Campestre in Tijuana, with its long and
interesting history. The story is a
fascinating one and I have found that many,
even some members of the club itself are not
aware of how rich a history Campestre owns
claim to. Many think that the course was
built back in 1948, which was when Campestre,
the Country Club was originally founded.
The truth is that the golf course dates back
to 1927 and was originally part of the Agua
Caliente Club complex that became popular
for Gringos traveling south across the
border during prohibition. What may be even
more surprising (I have won a few bets on
this one) is that the original course design
of William Bell from 1927 was redesigned by
the legendary golf course designer Dr.
Alister Mackenzie in 1932.
Yes, you read that right. The same Alister
Mackenzie who one year later would meet with
Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts in Augusta,
Georgia and where 18 of the most sacred
holes in golf would be created. Nearly
eighty years later and not a single Masters
tournament is played each spring without
mentioning Dr. Mackenzie’s name and his
relationship to the Augusta course and
history. I smile each year as I hear
Alister’s name be remembered and take pride
in that we have our own Baja connection with
that special place in golf history.
Another interesting part of the Campestre
story is the long list of famous names and
personalities from professional golf,
sports, Hollywood, business and politics who
have walked the 18 holes that I am allowed
to share. The Agua Caliente Open was
routinely broadcast via radio into the US in
its early days and attracted all of the big
names of golf at the time. Gene Sarazen, one
of only five golfers ever to win the career
grand slam in golf majors, won the open
event in Tijuana back in 1930.
What really draws me to this historic course
is what Campestre offers golfers today.
Ernesto Perez Acosta, the director of golf
at Campestre runs a world class organization
and the course is always undergoing
improvement projects you may witness on any
visit. Manicured fairways, perfect greens
that roll true and a very challenging layout
make this a course any golfer would love to
play. What keeps me coming back, round after
round is all the people working at Campestre;
the real “faces” of the club.
It all starts with Ernesto, who we love to
just call “Pro” and I am very privileged to
call mi amigo. Walking into the pro shop,
Ana - a great golfer herself, welcomes us
with a kiss on the cheek and somehow manages
to keep all of our handicaps straight.
Heading out to the first tee, Manzo awaits
to make sure that we get started on time. He
runs a tight ship and is always available
for a quick tip as to course conditions or a
joke as to why your golf shoes don’t match
your outfit.
One of the real highlights of playing
Campestre are the caddies. I love to walk
the course and having them carry your bag as
well as offering tips in course management
and the right break on the greens makes even
this seasoned hacker feel like a pro on the
PGA tour for a day.
On
the course there are several nice folks
awaiting you to provide a zesty Bloody Mary,
cold beer or a hot burrito to match your
game, mood and appetite. Working at the food
stop off the 12th green, Gaby is always
there to cook up anything you want with the
biggest smile and prettiest eyes you would
ever hope to see. Somehow she even makes you
forget that five you marked down on the last
par three.
All around the course you will come across a
small battalion of hard working folks who we
have to thank for keeping Campestre in such
immaculate conditions. They are all very
friendly, quick to smile and tip their hats
as we pass by. Coming down the 18th fairway
one sees Luis working with struggling
hackers out on the driving range to
straighten that bad slice or shank with a
smile and the patience of Job.
Campestre takes great pride in its state of
the art teaching facilities, including multi
angle video swing analysis and more. Rafa,
the assistant pro is usually working with
the kids and I have had the pleasure to play
with some of these young, new breed golfing
wonders that Campestre is creating. I must
say that nothing is more humbling for this
old Gringo than playing alongside a fourteen
year old scratch golfer who is not only
talented, but very well mannered and with
good sportsmanship skills to match. They are
all a great credit to the youth golfing
program that Campestre offers.
A round of golf at Campestre is an
experience much more important than my final
score or even the course itself and its
long, illustrious history. Walking allows me
to pace myself, get some exercise, share
conversation with friends and think about
all who have shared that same walk years or
even nearly a century before. Today I am
blessed to be able to share this walk with
friends like Willy, Mauro and Jaime. Pacing
my walk from shot to shot, hole to hole and
the camaraderie shared is
something I have learned to cherish - not to
rush or take lightly. I have discovered that
sometimes it is better to quietly celebrate
the good shots, wince only slightly at the
not-so-good shots and laugh at all the rest.
Just being able to share this special walk,
I have already won.
Relaxing at the 19th hole for a margarita or
two that Maria is always quick to serve,
makes the perfect ending to a wonderful day.
On the way out Ernesto, our gracious host
thanks us for coming and is always inviting
us to participate in one or more of the
upcoming tournaments. Having played in
several events at Campestre, I can assure
you that it is very hard to say no.
In all of my years of playing golf north of
the border, including 5 years as a member of
a private club, I never felt as welcome or
so much at home as I am made to feel each
time I step out of my car in the Campestre
parking lot. The entire staff of Campestre
offers a lesson in hospitality that any
course could take a lesson from and one in
which Mexico should feel extremely proud. I
feel fortunate and honored to be able to
walk these fairways and always look forward
to coming back. Changing shoes after a round
of golf I stop to reflect back on the day
spent with good friends on the course and
how wonderful life really is.
A good walk spoiled?
Hardly…
Written by:
Ronald Hoff, the BajaGringo
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