In Nauka, Tom Fazio created something wild and wonderful in Mexico

We’re tearing up the volcanic cliffs high above Mexico’s Central Coast in various stages of construction (most of which aren’t cold enough with Mark Birnbaum asking questions while trying to eat one of the palms. Evening on the first day at Nauka, a new private golf community that uses 920 acres in the Riviera Nayarit region, about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.

The marquee attraction at Nauka is the new Tom Fazio Championship course with a practice center to match (also, a 9-hole lighted, professional golf course).

The vision of Nauka belongs to Jaime Fasja, a successful Mexican real estate developer and owner of a private club, who owns the drive behind the direction and personality of the project. The vibe is that of an international, strong lifestyle community dedicated to building communities of special influence. Birnbaum, a long-time repudate well-known as a provider of New York among other hospitality tours to the rich and famous, and Fasja are LPI partners.

It is a deal in a terrible situation and the amazing thinking of this group that was able to find vacation property anywhere in the world where this region as this region is back in the categories of the lot. Birnbaum calls that first sales trip a “march tour.”

Birnbaum says from Birnbaum says: “And they still want to buy! Off the road, without getting anything. It was nice how much they liked it. It was the reason I didn’t get sick.”

Nauka Golf Club features five sets of fairways and measures 7,600 yards. There are many things that make a course unique, but chief among them is the diversity of experiences. FAZIO has created a route that takes golfers from the area of ​​the charges into the volcanic mountains down through the old growth forest and to the right and under the crashing surf. It’s a roller coaster of an eye-catching plot, it keeps you guessing and, most importantly, you need and play it again.

Fazio’s portfolio is apparently growing, with more than 300 courses to his name, among them shadow, world woods and pinehurst # 6 and 8. Consider this: FAZIO himself said that NAAKAKA is among the top three courses he has ever laid hands on. He hesitated when asked what the other two were.

“Our expectations were still here. “And this course met them.”

One of the reasons that hopes were so high that the designer and developers are because FAzio was given free to create, scores of acres of different places to play with, and almost unlimited money to build his dream course.

Not that it was easy. Construction crews removed nearly 60 million cubic feet of old sand to create a deep-water marina that includes a town club and yacht, and made all of that sand available for his team and its greens. The courses are covered with sand to a depth of five meters for drainage and the proper condition of the turf.

“I think Fazio is the best living composer in the world right now for many reasons,” says Fasja. “But when it comes to giving someone sand to work with, there’s no one better than Tom Fazio. So, it’s like giving kids sand with basic candy.'”

Even with all the dirt and sand, Fazio ran into the middle of the ninth. There was a parcel over the Nauka property line that he believed would completely elevate this part of the course.

“He says, ‘There’s a brown spot in this place here, and if you can buy that land then it’s the cherry on top of the cake,'” Fasja quotes Fazio as saying. “I said ‘Tom, it’s not going to happen. It’s too much space.’ And you say, ‘Yes, this will improve the golf course.’ Within two weeks we found that country. “

Was the acquisition worth the cost?

“That was a game changer,” says Fasja. “Buying those 40 acres, now (various parts of) the third, 4th and 5th holes, completely changed the landscape of the golf course.”

Fazio feels the same way: “That really made it happen,” he said. “That made it really work.”

Another very distinctive part of its landscape; sun-kissed sandy sandflont. Fazio and Co took full advantage. Holes 14, 15 and 16 run for about a mile like a beach 60 feet from the broken surf. Golfers are encouraged, nay, forced to kick their spikes before the 14th Tee is shot to take a ride in the refreshing Pacific. Post-swim cocktails and beach snacks just add to the adventure. I’ve lost my dress on the golf course many times, but never on purpose. A unique and unforgettable encounter.

It’s interesting though when you ask FAZIO what he’s looking at to sign Hole in Nauka, he has no answer.

He says: “Try to pick your favorite hole. You can’t,” he said. “If we had a hole that you like, then we (say) We have holes below. That’s what made it a great golf hole.”

As he says, he’s seen golfers of all skill levels play Nauka GC, and you’ll hear a variety of reasons why they love this course. It’s old and difficult enough from behind to challenge the best golfers in the world. However, if you step up to the right set of tees for your game, you will have a great time. Basically, the course offers whatever you want.

“Profits are coming down here and they’re buying (lots) as not just a place for their families, but a place that’s made for them, and that’s been amazing to see,” Birnbaum said. “These people are on a journey and on their days they come down to perform and work on their game.”

I’m curious if they jump into the ocean.

It’s true, most members shop with friends and family in mind, and for them, there’s no shortage of accessories to enjoy. Birnbaum is the king of hospitality, and his inclusion in all f & B from arlow decied the Burger complex is an organic farm.

There is also a return to the acre hellness ecrene set literally in the middle of the mangroves. It’s not a building, it’s a series of bamboo huts and spaces dotted with sandy jungle paths that offer everything from traditional exercises to treatments that are real and three will make you forget that three is 18.

While Nauka is a private low-rise community, there is an opportunity for guests to own a property and play a golf course. Opening this Fall, Siari, just the ninth bookkeeper There are five dining options for the property (the same as the number of bedrooms in the President Suite), at the I-Site Beach Club, and Nauka Tee Times available to SIARI guests.

“Nauka was never intended to be just a relaxation upgrade,” Fasja said. “This land is five miles of unexplored coast, barren cliffs and forest. It wanted something different. We wanted to create the best volume, where they also felt part of the volume that would last for generations.”

The nauka logo features a sweet rendition of the blue booby, a well-rounded and colorful bird found primarily in the Galapagos Islands. The only other place where the booby puts its blue feet is on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, including the rocky outcrops of the Riviera Nayarit coast. Naturally, the booby understands this is a special, safe and welcoming place. Nauka knows this too, and they take great care to keep it that way.