Grand Coral – Golf Course Intent  

Our overriding design philosophy is that we allow the land to dictate how our golf course will look and how they will play. Starting with the routing, we look for great green settings and move outward as we uncover whether a particular setting will be a par three, four or five. These natural settings and the flow of the land is the genesis for everything else we do on the property. In the case of the Grand Coral project we have designed a great variety of golf holes that are intrinsic to this unique property. The layout of these holes has been woven through the other aspects of the planned development so that while there is a cohesive feel to the project, each area also has its own identity. This is an important aspect as the core area of golf allows players to feel isolated within the natural areas of the property and at the same time the adjacent land uses can appreciate the natural amenity. The golf course will make use of the existing higher ground areas of the property to develop holes that will have undulating topography, offering an experience that will be unique to the area.

Because of the flow of this property and the variety that naturally exists, we will focus our efforts on developing a variety of interesting green complexes and dramatic bunkering.

Our highest priority is given to the artistic creation of the putting greens and green complexes in the field, so that they reward shot-making and strategy through the green and fit naturally into the landscape, and so that the short game carries the same interest as the rest of the course. The greens will flow with the natural contour, offering a variety of pin locations and challenging grade separations. We will create bold hazards to confront and interest the best golfers, but always provide options for the player not up to the challenge. We insist that the fairways and clearings are sufficiently wide, so that handicap golfers can get around the course with a minimum of frustration and delay. 

The look of the course will vary somewhat with the variety of the terrain but we will tie the overall concept together by employing a consistent bunker style incorporating native trees and grasses throughout the golf course, It is our intention to design golf course that will blend seamlessly with the existing property; one that will be a challenge and offer reward to all levels of player; a golf course that will be viewed as an instant classic.

An Environmental Approach To Development

Grand Coral is an uncommonly beautiful property located within the city limits of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Comprised mostly of native forest the property sits adjacent to the Caribbean Sea. The development plans includes residential units, resort property, a beach club, ocean frontage, a commercial area and an 18 hole golf course, a practice facility with a clubhouse. The unique location of Grand Coral, within the city limits of Playa del Carmen and adjacent to the Caribbean Sea, presented the golf course designer with a unique challenge- to create a golf course that will meet the needs of the growing population of the area, protect as much native vegetation and wild life habitat as possible and to minimize the need for excess water consumption. As the designer of the golf course, Nick Price’s vision was to create a golf course that would fit naturally and sensibly into the beauty of the existing environment.

The Nick Price design team conducted an early routing and planning study in conjunction with a carefully selected team that included the developer, wildlife consultant, biologist, civil engineer, and environmental consultant. The planning team identified the areas and issues hat would require careful land management.

The issues were:

1. Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Enhancement
2. Water Conservation
3. Water Quality Management
4. Sediment and Erosion Control Plan
5. Integrated Pest Management Program

The eradication of exotics together with the incorporation of indigenous grasses, trees and plants will result in creating a golf course that will serve as a wildlife corridor, enabling birds and animals to continue to move unhindered though the property.

Conservation of water is a critical issue and despite being surrounded by water, the minimal use of this important resource is a key concept within the development of this project. Efforts to conserve water have been focused on four specific areas of the development program. Firstly the selection of turf grass varieties is carefully matched to the specific soil, climate conditions, and water quality found on the property. We have selected variety of Seashore Paspalum grass that will be used on the trees, fairways and greens for the golf course. The grass requires less water and can tolerate water of the lowest quality when consumed with other turf grasses suitable for use on golf courses. Secondly, areas of irrigated turf are focused within the critical play areas of the golf course. As such, the golf course will not utilize any significant amount of water that is, or can be, consumed by humans. Wherever possible, sections of un-irrigates indigenous grasses and plants have between incorporated into the design of the golf course. Thirdly, a complex drainage system has been designed to capture storm water runoff from both within the golf course as well as the surrounding residential areas and return this water to the lake system as a supplement to the irrigation source of water. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the latest technology has been applied to the design of the irrigation system for the golf course.

A center computer shall monitor the weather and soil moisture to determine the exact watering needs of the turf areas. Smaller irrigation heads that reduce loss of water to wind and thereby apply water efficiently will be installed to apply water precisely where and when it is needed.

As part of the water quality management plan, we utilize a high tech computer-controlled irrigation system will apply water at rates that are matched with the soil infiltration rates, to reduce run-off and excessive leaching of chemicals thought the soil. In addition, surface water run-off is managed by a comprehensive plan to collect and treat water. The design of the golf course incorporates the use of the ground to move water into vegetative and mechanical filtration systems. In addition, buffer strips, consisting of indigenous plants and grasses are located along the outer edge of the golf course to prevent erosion and serve as a final stage of natural filtration.

Two key strategies to a sediment and erosion control-plan within the project will be implemented. Firstly, erosion fencing that provides a physical barrier will be installed between the construction area and undisturbed areas of the project, particularly any identified cenotes. Secondly, drainage swales and sediment basins will be installed to direct surface water into low lying areas where silt can settle out of surface water before being released, thereby reducing erosion. In  addition, the establishment of turf grass over the golf course will effectively eliminate any occurrence of erosion.

An intergraded pest management plan will be implemented in the management of turf diseases and pests. “IPM” is a concept that begins with effective selection of turf types that are adaptable to the area and are more pest resistant then others. The uses of the biological and cultural controls are the prescribed means to maintain healthy turf against any pest or fungal attacks. The use of fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides are limited to be applied to actual areas that show a need for them as opposed to a typical plan that calls for a broad-spectrum application of chemicals on a regular basis irrespective of the needs. This approach significantly reduces excessive and unnecessary use of chemicals. In addition, a stringent fertilizer and chemical plan has been formulated to provide optimum control and eliminate the potential for any contamination of the water resource. This plan includes the construction of a specific and separate structure that is designed to perform a containment area where chemicals are mixed or washed from equipment.

Finally, we set up and ensure ongoing environmental monitoring of all work on the project is carried out on a daily basis to ensure compliance with all aspects of the plan and to prevent any problems that may occur.

Summary – Grand Coral serves as an excellent example of how golf course designers and developers are proactively working with environmental groups, government agencies and others to create golf course that are planned, constructed and maintained according to a strict set of rules that meet or exceed local and federal environmental requirements.