Golf course design firm Pizá Golf has joined forces with the GEO Foundation to develop the company’s Desértica project at Cuatro Ciénegas in Mexico.
Situated close to the UNESCO biosphere reserve, the golf course concept, coined Butterfly Golf, will demonstrate innovative thinking to create a golf course that not only respects its very special natural surroundings, but also will inspire and instigate a wind of positive change in the region – and, in time, across the world.
Agustin Pizá, founder Pizá Golf, commented: “A sustainable and responsible project begins by creating a dialogue, in harmony with nature. We are excited to have our client commit to the project on all levels. It’s a sensitive place which deserves multiple layers of expertise. Having GEO on our side of the world gives us peace of mind from design implementation all the way to the execution and perpetual maintenance. We take our work very seriously when it comes to respecting nature with innovative architecture.”
Sam Thomas, Developments Director at GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, said: “We are very excited about this idea and seeing it put into play at the very special location of Cuatro Ciénegas. Once we’d walked through the concept of Butterfly Golf a few times with the Pizá Golf team, it became more and more evident to us the multiple benefits there were to be had. This was more with less in a way that we had not seen in a golf development before.”
Butterfly Golf was inspired by the Butterfly Effect concept which refers to the innovative layout but also to the Chaos Theory where one small change in a system can result in a large difference. This special development is in the rustic desert and mountains of Mexico, within a master planned community and resort, co-designed with Sardo Madaleno Architects.
The layout resembles the wings of a butterfly from above with four diverse quadrangles. Within these sections are six-hole golf loops creatively positioned within the rural landscape and surround an inventive multi-purpose short golf course. This 24-hole layout provides a great degree of flexibility in the course set up, playing options, maintenance practices and diversity in a selected 18-holes layout on any given day.
According to Brandel Chamblee, partner of Pizá Chamblee Design, a signature line of projects within Pizá Golf, “Augie’s concept is ingenious. The four-six-hole loops were designed to meet the ever-changing demands on time and to create a golf experience for different skill levels. A new or beginning golfer as well as an avid golfer will enjoy the layout. Six holes is the new nine and 12 holes is the new 18. I am thrilled he invited me to participate on this special project.”
www.pizagolf.com