Vista Vallarta Golf Club - Weiskopf Course
Vista Vallarta Golf Club boasts 2 championship courses; one was designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Tom Weiskopf. Opened in 2001 to wide critical acclaim, these two signature courses offer stunning views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay. Vista's history is short, but distinguished, having hosted the 2002 EMC World Cup, with players like Phil Mickelson, David Toms, Mike Weir, and Vijay Singh topping the bill. In April of 2001, soon after the opening of the Nicklaus course the property also hosted the Ford U.S. Collegiate Golf Championships, an event previously won by Tiger Woods, and was televised on ESPN2. The Vista property also boasts full practice facilities, a pro shop, a luxurious clubhouse, and a fine restaurant.
Weiskopf Course
Tom Weiskopf's somewhat lesser known but also challenging signature design is set on the lower elevations of the vista property. This rugged area is covered in dense jungle and numerous ravines with swift running streams and lots of elevation changes. Weiskopf did an exceptional job of working with the existing terrain and flora, creating a golf experience that appears to have been carved from the surrounding jungle. High handicap players will prefer the Weiskopf course because of its open layout with accessible, readable greens. Of note is the 15th hole, a 173 yard par-3 fought uphill over one off the many ravines on the course. Only the correct shot will put you on the multi-level green safely; the 10 foot change in elevation will send anything else rolling to one of the several bunkers on this hole. Careful play will yield a well earned par.
