Greg Norman Golf Course and Luxury BVG Development Announced
By Carla White
STAFF WRITER
Monday, March 10, was a near perfect day at Bajamar, Ensenada: temperatures in the low 70s, azure skies speckled with brown pelicans and white seagulls, and golden poppies and daisies dancing in the gentle sea breezes of the Bajamar peninsula. Suddenly, a pulsing rumble, and a serious-looking brown helicopter touched down on the bluffs above the ocean. Scores of reporters and television cameras converged. There was about to be a ‘Shark’ attack.
You don’t have to be a golfer to know that this particular species of shark is a handsome, lanky, silver-haired man called Greg Norman, aka The Shark, one of the world’s most famous professional golfers. With much fanfare, Norman had appeared on the scene to formalize his company’s agreement with Bay View Grand (BVG) Properties to design an 18-hole championship golf course at BVG’s under-construction La Costa/La Punta luxury resort development, located at kilometer 77, on the scenic highway between Tijuana and Ensenada.
This would be big news any time, but it was abundantly clear that Monday’s event had unusual significance. The auspicious guest list included current Baja Governor Osuna Millan, who welcomed Norman and the media; past governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel, as well as an array of other government officials including the secretary of tourism for Baja, Oscar Escobedo. There seemed to be a central theme to their remarks, both on and off the record, hearkening to the fact that northern Baja is in urgent need of some good news and positive economic influences right now to help counteract a sharp economic downturn spurred by bad publicity and the troubled U.S. economy. Their hope, and certainly the hope of BVG’s management, is that this spectacular new residential and tourism project will provide both.
The media event began in a spacious, semi-permanent sales tent -- on the bluff just north of Bajamar resort and golf course -- that includes plasma televisions for viewing BVG’s presentations, and also showcases a comprehensive model of the planned development. The model and sales materials depict a completed community encompassing approximately 242 acres, 49 of which will be set aside as a natural reserve. Besides the golf course, the development is slated to include villas, town homes, bungalows and high rises, as well as a commercial center and a health clinic.
Against the backdrop of rocky coastline and crashing waves, a rather elaborate dedication ceremony transpired, with Norman and general director of BVG, Elias Sacal, lowering
a cement cornerstone into a deep hole on the bluff. To further help ensure the success of BVGs venture, traditional talismans of bags of rice and flour were tossed in the hold, along with some coins, a knife and a vial of olive oil. Then, with the addition of a couple of shovels-full of cement, the dedication concluded. The program continued with camera-people, reporters and dignitaries listening to remarks by Sacal, who commented that Mexico is already regarded as a unique destination for sports and ecotourism and pointing out that La Costa will certainly help in that esteem. His sentiments were echoed by those of Governor Osuna Millan.
“It`s an honor to have a developer like BVG developing in Baja California,” said Millan, noting that he believes it is an important step towards having Baja be recognized by professional golfers throughout the world. BVG, which was established in 1996 and is headquartered in Mexico City, already boasts spectacular luxury developments in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa and Acapulco, and the venture into northern Baja is backed by company’s success in these arenas.
After hiking the acreage that Norman’s design company will eventually transform into an 18-hole, 72-par golf oasis, Norman spoke to the media, explaining his decision to be involved with the project.
“I have always been intrigued by the natural beauty of the Baja region, and I consider it an honor to have my design associated with and showcased on this magnificent piece of waterfront property,” he noted, adding, “The views and topography are absolutely stunning. When the golf course is done, you’ll want to play here every day of your life.”
Word has it that the Norman design team will begin work on the project within the next few weeks. It is speculated that the golf course and much of the BVG La Punta/La Costa development will be completed in the next 18 to 24 months. |