The Riviera Nayarit is where luxury meets nature and is one of the most important destinations for golf lovers, not only for the number of available courses but also for the quality and challenges they present. These reasons have made it the venue for important national and international championships in 2021.
Proof of this was the LXX Youth and Junior National Championship, in its XXIV International Edition, which is part of the Mexgolf Junior Tour 20-21 of the Mexican Golf Federation (FMG) and the National Committee for Children and Youth (CNIJ). The event bears the name of Carlos Ortiz, winner of the Houston Open 2020, starting this year.
More than 270 young golfers participated in the event held between April 15 and 18 at The Greg Norman Signature Course, The Nayar Golf Course at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, and the Flamingos Golf Club, where they earned passes to several of the most important international tournaments of the specialty. These include the Rolex Girls Junior Championship (AJGA), the AJGA Invitational at Sedgefield, the International Junior Masters, the US Kids Regional (US Kids Mexico), The Evian Championship Junior Cup, the Hurricane Golf Tour, and The Duke of York.
Jesús Carmona, president of the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) and the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), reiterated the importance of the golf tourism segment for the destination since, in addition to its media impact, it generates substantial revenues.
The president of the AHMBB noted that this is the fourth time the FMG has held a tournament in the Riviera Nayarit. It had previously been here in 2005, 2006, and 2007 when El Tigre Golf hosted the National Children’s Junior Championship. The goal is to keep it in the destination for at least three more years.
“Golf is a noble sport and, fortunately, we have a great player in Mexico representing us, and that is Carlos Ortiz. I still remember when the Mexican Golf Federation first came in 2005, when Lorena Ochoa was at her peak sponsored by Aeromexico; now the same thing is happening with Carlos, sponsored by UNIFIN and supported by the FMG,” he added.
For his part, Carlos Ortiz felt honored to have this new edition named after him, and he confessed via a video that it is a dream come true.
“I was one of those children who participated in the nationals, in the Interzone, which is similar to what Lorena Ochoa did. She was the one who inspired me to have the career I have today, and I hope I can do the same for the new generations…”
The new junior golf national champions were announced after three days of close competition. In the 18 and under category, Alexa Saldaña (-5), from Club de Golf Bellavista, and Alejandro Fierro (-10), from Campeche Country Club, took first place in the LXX National Children’s Junior Golf Championship/ XXIV International Edition – Presented by Carlos Ortiz.
Jorge Robleda, president of the Mexican Golf Federation, stated that this tournament showed tremendous progress in the level of Mexico’s junior golfers.
“We have some very important rookies in Mexican golf, and we have assured the continuity of those who are going to succeed the Ortizes who are on their way out (…) The truth is, we are delighted because we see the selection of our emerging golfers around the world is now assured,” he concluded.
The Riviera Nayarit currently has eight competitive courses in full operation and one more under development. With this, golfers will soon have nine courses at their disposal to choose one that best fits their taste and abilities as a player, or perhaps even better, a different challenge to enjoy every day.
The Riviera Nayarit is a safe destination. Our hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments follow all the health protocols established by the Federal Government’s Ministry of Health and operate at the allowed capacities. Access to the beaches is limited. Be a responsible tourist: wear your mask and keep your distance.
The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) work tirelessly to jointly promote the region with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit through its Tourism Promotion Trust (Fiprotur).