For years, Buenaventura has established itself as one of the most exclusive and challenging golf destinations in the region. With a course that has hosted tournaments on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica circuit and has been named for several editions as the best course in Panama by World Golf Awards, it has made an important name for itself among national and international players. Not only because of its beautiful design and extraordinary level of maintenance, but also because of the changing playing conditions during the different seasons of the year.

Buenaventura Golf Club announced the launch of a second course, designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones II firm – the 300th in the world – which complements the original course with a design that not only challenges the players’ skills, but also integrates harmoniously with the natural landscape. This new course promises to become a jewel for golf enthusiasts, positioning Buenaventura as one of the top golf destinations in Latin America.

Miguel Marín, one of the leaders behind the project, highlighted that the choice of Robert Trent Jones ll as designer was to create two totally different golf experiences key to differentiate this course from the original designed by Nicklaus Design.

“We wanted a design that would make players feel as if they were playing in a completely different place. Despite being in the same resort, this new course offers a totally different experience, being a shorter and more technical course, but above all fun that makes the player think a lot when looking for his strategy,” says Marín. 

Strategy v/s Power

At 6,810 yards compared to the 7,383 yards of the current course, this new course is shorter, but much more technical, demanding a more strategic and less power-dependent approach from players.

The vision was clear from the outset: to offer a playing experience that blends technical challenges with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Throughout the 18 holes, players will encounter landscapes that vary from open meadows to dense jungle areas to stretches near the river and the sea. Each hole is designed to surprise, offering unique challenges and a visual beauty that invites enjoyment of the course beyond the game. “The player here has to think a little more. It’s not a course where you can rely solely on strength. The key will be in technique and making the right decisions on each shot,” Marín explains, emphasizing the need to plan each shot with precision.

One of the elements that stands out the most in this new course is the diversity of its landscapes. For example, the 5th hole, a par 5 in a meadow that slopes down to the sea, offers a challenging experience due to its length, streams, and a green protected by beautiful Corotus trees. It should even be played completely different depending on the time of year and which way the north or sea wind blows. 

This hole, in addition to being technically demanding, gives players the experience of enjoying a walk through meadows, which adds an aesthetic dimension to the technical challenge. This integration of the course with its surroundings is one of the great achievements of Robert Trent Jones’ design, which took full advantage of Buenaventura’s natural features to create an immersive and visually appealing golf experience.

Hole 7, a par 3 with an “island green,” is another of the course’s highlights. This hole forces players to hit it over water, offering both a technical challenge and an unforgettable visual spectacle. “The island green on hole 7 is going to be one of the players’ favorites. It is a spectacular hole, both for its technical challenge and for the beauty of the surrounding landscape,” says Marín. And no wonder. Players will have to face a delicate and precise shot, knowing that any mistake could mean losing the ball in the water.

Another outstanding hole is number 9, a par 5 that culminates on the beach. This hole offers a completely different experience, with elevated tees that allow players to enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean while planning their strategy. Finishing the first half of the course on the beach adds a unique touch to the game, making it memorable not only for its difficulty, but also for the beauty of the setting. 

The mix of technical difficulty and spectacular scenery is what will really distinguish this course from others in the region.

Marin also mentioned the 11th hole as one of his favorites. This par 4 will play parallel to a river and its final part goes deep into the jungle, adding a sense of total immersion in nature. “With such dense vegetation you feel like you’re in a completely different environment. That kind of variety is what makes this course special,” he says. This diversity of scenery within the same course allows players to feel as if they are on several different courses, offering an experience that changes throughout the game.

One of the most innovative aspects of the design is the reduction in the number of sand traps. While the original course features 110 traps, the new design will have only around 40, giving it a cleaner and less punishing look. That doesn’t mean it’s any less challenging, however, as the inclusion of streams and lakes adds another level of complexity to the game. “We wanted the course to have a natural look, to look like part of the landscape. Here we have opted for less sand, less water and to play with the different vegetation on the estate,” explains Marín, stressing the importance of integrating the course with the environment.

The 17th hole, a par 5, is another example of how nature plays a key role in the design. With large trees in the center of the fairway, this hole will allow the player to make different strategic decisions. They can choose to go right or left of the trees, adding an additional level of planning to each shot. This type of design makes the course not only beautiful, but also intellectually stimulating, forcing players to adapt to the changing conditions of each hole.

The pride of belonging to Buenaventura Golf Club

One of the most attractive aspects of this new course is its exclusivity. Members of the Buenaventura Golf Club will have access to both courses, which adds significant value to membership. “Being a member of the club at Buenaventura now means having access to two world-class courses, designed by two of the best architects in the history of the sport. That is something that very few places in the world can offer,” Marín points out. 

Although membership policies are still being fine-tuned, it is clear that access to this new court will be a privilege highly valued by players.

For Miguel Marín, expectations are high: “There are people who travel just to play on courses designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Now, Panama is on that list, which is a great achievement for the country and for us as a resort”. 

With few courses of this level in Latin America, Buenaventura is positioning itself as one of the most exclusive golf destinations in the region. The combination of technical design, breathtaking scenery and exclusivity make it a place that will attract players from all over the world. “It’s a unique opportunity to play two spectacular courses in the same resort, each with its own character and challenge. That’s something very few destinations can offer,” concludes Miguel Marín.

With an opening scheduled for 2026 or 2027, the future of golf in Buenaventura looks brighter than ever, consolidating Panama as a must-see destination for golf lovers.