Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. August 14th, 2009 - As part of the celebration of Baja’s wine harvest festival Bajamar, the premier golf course in northern Baja, hosted the first ever Vendimia Open Golf Tournament in support of the Baja Scholarship Foundation (BSF). The local Baja Real Estate Association, AMPI, which is Mexico's franchise of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) organized and sposored the event in cooperation with Bajamar. The tourney combined spectacular oceanfront golf with the spirit and magic of Baja’s Wine Country. The result was nothing less than spectacular when on the beautiful morning of the event a “maxed out” field of 156 golfers tee’d up for the shotgun start with over half of them venturing down from the US.
The event was a two man scramble with a $6500 purse at stake. There were prizes and events on each hole and an opportunity to win a HUMMER for a hole in one. All inclusive oceanfront golf packages, premium golf equipment and roundtrip airfares were among the donated items for the tournament. As if that isn’t enough the premier vineyards of México’s Guadalupe Valley presented their internationally acclaimed, award winning wines. There were Wine Tastings on five holes paired with culinary creations from Ensenada’s celebrated chefs. Château Camou, Emeve, Valor and several other wines were presented on the day. At the turn a classic Baja carne asada, carnitas, pollo asada lunch was served at the turn and sumptuous Steak & Lobster was served at the awards dinner in the scenic Bajamar clubhouse restaurant. At the awards ceremony dinner there was music & dancing, prizes & raffles and rousing auctions.
Bajamar has long been known as one of the most spectacular oceanfront golf courses on North America’s west coast. Five holes play right along Baja’s scenic pacific coastline and most of the rest of the 27 championship holes play in a lava desert layout that looks out to spectacular ocean views. A challenging yet rewarding course layout the 18 original holes, now the Lagos and Vista nines, were designed by Percy Clifford in 1976 and redesigned in the early 1990s. The Oceano nine, was designed by Robert Von Hagge and opened in June 1996. Since the addition of a new desalinization plant for the courses water sources the condition of the course has improves to a caliber that any golfer would consider impeccable.
The event had the support of AMPI, México’s franchise of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Provino’s Vendimia events council. Gracious volunteers from BSF and AMPI donated their time and worked the course to insure a smooth tournament. Sponsors for the event included Bajamar Premier Properties (Platinum Sponsor), Mahon International, Telnor, Cannon Power Group, BajaBound Insurance, First Title Services, Baja-Rentals.com, Children’s Fund of SB, Chicago Title of Orange County, Realty Executives, Hostal San Angel and Santa Barbara at Bajamar.
The event was in support of the Baja Scholarship Foundation; a nonprofit 501 C3, that provides education to high potential children in Baja California from needy families. They have graduated students who have become doctors and engineers and who are giving back to their local communities to help change the lives of others in the region. It is a great cause run by great people. Approximately $10,000 was raised for the charity and Judie Kesson, the president of BSF said “these guys really did it!” expressing great satisfaction with the result. For more information on the Baja Scholarship Foundation go to http://www.bajascholarshipfoundation.org.
Larry French is a member of the Baja Real Estate Group and can be found at http://www.oceanfrontbaja.com.