 The Mayakobá Classic brings earned prestige to the Riviera Maya's Most Exclusive Development
PGA TOUR to conduct official-money event in Mexico
The 2007 PGA TOUR schedule announced contains one new event and it is one of historic significance as the
TOUR will conduct an official-money event for the first time in Mexico.
The Mayakobá Classic will be held on the Riviera Maya in the State of
Quintana Roo in the resort of Playa del Carmen the week of Feb. 19-25,
2007.
The tournament will be held opposite the World Golf
Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and will offer a purse
of $3.5 million (U.S.). The field will consist of 132 players, and the
winner will take home $630,000.
The tournament will be contested on the 7,067-yard El Camaleón course
designed by Greg Norman and managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. The
par-72 layout is spread across a fascinating mix of scenery that
includes jungle, dense mangrove and oceanfront holes bisected by
limestone canals.
"This is a thrilling day for the Mayakobá Resort," said Juan Miguel
Villar Mir, president of Grupo OHL. "What a fantastic way to announce
the grand opening of the resort and the Greg Norman golf course. We are
very excited to play a role in this historic PGA TOUR event coming to
Mexico."
The PGA TOUR is very excited about making golf history in Mexico,"
said PGA TOUR Commissioner Timothy W. Finchem. "One of our goals is to
expand the reach of golf and Mexico has demonstrated a growing passion
for the sport. We are pleased to be able to showcase our players to
Mexico, and in turn showcase Mexico to the world."
Located just 35 miles south of the Cancún Airport, the Mayakobá Resort
features five hotels along with luxury villas, all on property offering
a very diverse ecosystem. The amenities include pristine beaches, spas,
restaurants and the first Norman golf course in Mexico.
"Mayakobá is truly a special place, and I am thrilled that it will be
showcased to the world with the first-ever PGA TOUR event in Mexico,"
said Norman. "With three distinct landscapes and a commitment to
preserving the delicate ecosystem of the Yucatan, there is uniqueness
to each hole. I know it will be an enjoyable week for all the fans and
a test of golf for the competitors."
"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."
The Golf Channel, the TOUR's new exclusive cable broadcast partner,
will show all four days of action from the Mayakobá Classic.
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