Ernie Els Designs Oleada Golf Links in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, continues to solidify its position as a premier golf destination with the announcement of Oleada Golf Links, the first Mexican design by four-time major champion Ernie Els. The course is slated to open in mid-November, with preview play beginning in July, and will be the centerpiece of the 860-acre Oleada Pacific Living & Golf resort community.
A Natural Landscape for Golf
Els describes the site, located roughly 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas, as a “best natural property” featuring sandy ridges, dunes, and rumpled ground. This terrain lends itself to a rugged, links-style golf course, though not a traditional links in the strictest sense. The design, created in partnership with Greg Letsche, will begin on higher desert terrain with cacti before descending towards the ocean, with many holes playing close to the water’s edge.
Design and Playability
The course is designed to account for the area’s prevalent winds, featuring wide landing areas, multiple angles of attack, and a focus on creative ground play. Els aims to create a dramatic yet natural experience, minimizing earth-moving to preserve the existing landscape.
Oleada Pacific Living & Golf Resort
Beyond the golf course, Oleada Pacific Living & Golf will include three luxury resorts, wellness and fitness centers, hiking and biking trails, orchards, and nursery space. Real estate and infrastructure will be set back from the playing corridors to maintain the integrity of the golf experience. Tee times will primarily be available to resort guests and homeowners, with limited access for outside stay-and-play arrangements.
Cabo San Lucas: A Growing Golf Hub
Oleada Golf Links joins a growing list of high-profile golf courses in the Cabo San Lucas area, including designs by Greg Norman and Fred Couples. Other notable courses in the region include Querencia (with a second course by Tom Fazio in development) and Diamanté, home to Tiger Woods’ exclusive Legacy Golf Club. The area’s expanding airport and increasing direct flights are contributing to its popularity as a golf destination.