Club de Golf Chapultepec Hosts 2017 WGC-Mexico Championship

Get the backstory on Club de Golf Chapultepec, a world-class setting for the WGC-Mexico Championship.

Club de Golf Chapultepec hosts the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship, March 2-5, 2017. Let’s take a look at the golf course, which is a new venue for WGC events.

This is one of the season’s most elite events, playing host to the top 50 golfers in the world. You can say that the tournament features the crème de la crème when it comes to golfers.

To clear things up, there are four World Golf Championship events each season. In order to qualify for a WGC event, one must be ranked within the top-50 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

This year is the first year that this particular WGC event is identified as the Mexico Championship. Over the past decade this tournament has been held under 3 different titles: WGC-Cadillac Championship (2011-2016), WGC-CA Championship (2007-2010), and WGC-American Express Championship (1999-2006).

After 9 seasons at the Trump National Doral Miami, this WGC event shifts south of the border to the Club de Golf Chapultepec. It was a move surrounded blurry explanations and not without controversy. With that move comes a new name, the WGC-Mexico Championship.

Adam Scott took home the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship trophy and looks to defend his title this upcoming week in Mexico City.

Mar 9, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Patrick Reed celebrates with the trophy after winning the WGC – Cadillac Championship golf tournament at TPC Blue Monster at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

The Golf Course

Club de Golf Chapultepec unlatched its doors to the golf world in 1928 and served as the home of the Mexico Open from 1944-1960. Chapultepec last hosted the Mexico Open, which is sanctioned by the PGA Tour Latino America, in 2014.

Club de Golf Chapultepec’s first ever hosted event was in December of 1944, with a $10,000 purse. Al Espinosa, head golf professional at Mexico City Country Club, took home the prize money and trophy.

The awe-inspiring 7,267, Par 72 track incorporates stunning views of Mexico City’s skyline. The course, designed by Percy Clifford, is seated under 10-miles from downtown Mexico City. You can take a virtual tour of Chapultepec, even if you can’t tee it up this week.

From the double greens on the par 4 first hole uphill climb on the par 4 finishing hole, the field will enjoy some lavish fairways and probably curse some of the strategically situated bunkers designed to protect approaches to the greens.

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Who will be entrapped by the massive trees that wait just beyond the short grass? Keep an eye on how players navigate the water hazard on the par 5 6th hole. Getting safely to the 2-layer green in regulation is going to take considerable skill.

If they’re not precise with their shot shaping, players could run up some big numbers on the par 4 9th. It’s a dog-leg and both the trees and the bunkers will beckon the errant ball.

While much of the back nine should yield some low scores, the par 4 16th could bring trouble again as players approach the green after a long uphill climb. Hole placement and shot accuracy will be a critical factor for this green with dramatically different levels. Watch for 3 putts.

The WGC Backstory

Club de Golf Chapultepec will be the tenth course and fifth venue to hold the Mexico Championship, inking a seven-year agreement through 2023 with Grupo Salinas that will allow them to continue to be the host for this event.

Rodrigo Lebois, the Chairman of Club de Golf Chapultepec, was delighted when he received the word that his course would be hosting yet another professional golf tournament, especially a WGC event.

"We’re excited to be able to bring such a global tournament to Club de Golf Chapultepec. There will be plenty of tough holes that will keep the leaderboard interesting, and we’re excited to be able to offer memorable viewing experiences for the fans and our members while they’re here during tournament week. Being involved with this event is more than an honor, and we’re looking forward to supporting Group Salinas’ mission of growing the game of golf in Mexico."

When Club de Golf Chapultepec host’s this weeks tournament, it should feel like it is “an honor”, the best of the best assemble to display their talent south of the boarder, attracting thousands of fans looking to connect with the nationally growing game.

Mexico’s Sporting Tradition

Bernardo Villacecias, General Director of Azteca Golf and ambassador of Grupo Salinas, discussed the bright future that Mexico has in the sport of golf.

"Mexico is today a country with strong institutions, which has become a leading touristic, cultural and business center, not only in the region, but in the world. There is no doubt that Mexico is an ideal place for an event such as a World Golf Championship, which will now be a part of the rest of global events already taking place in our country, such as the Formula 1, Grand Prix, NFL Monday Night Games, NBA Games. . . and many others."

This week’s upcoming event at the WGC-Mexico Championship should be a thriller, only logical with the top-50 golfers making up the playing field.

Many people are excited about Mexico getting involved in the world of golf, as this country has a high potential to contribute to the beautiful game of golf.

Next: 2017 Masters - An Early Look at the Top Five

What are your thoughts on Club de Golf Chapultepec being host to the WGC-Mexico Championship? Who will win this years event? Let me know in the comments below.

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