The PGA/Mayakoba Road Trip (Lawrie's turn to write)

Seven in the morning - headed to boat

Sometimes paradise is not what you might think. Oh, yeah, there are palm trees, white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise water; all the usual things you would expect.  But paradise is not always about the visual stuff.

Last weekend a group of guys from Isla Mujeres made the annual trek from the island to the PGA Mayakoba final round.  This was our fourth year of getting a bunch of friends together for a day of watching great golf, enjoying each other’s company, and okay, maybe a few cocktails. 

Our day started early with catching the 7:30 a.m., UltraMar boat to Puerto Juarez and boarding the 52-passenger luxury bus which would take us to Playa del Carmen.  

On the way we enjoyed a stop at Krispy Kreme at the south end of Cancun.  (After all it was a guys’ trip. Coffee and donuts are mandatory.)

Patricio - last to board the boat!

The Chameleon Golf Club is located inside the Mayakoba Resort complex, slightly north of Playa del Carmen on the Maya Rivera.  

The complex is so expertly in tune with its surroundings you can’t even spot a hotel and there are three on this magnificent property.  Developed back in the 1990’s by OHL (Obrascón Huarte Lain S.A.) this complex is a true jewel, environmentally sustainable, but still, a resort you can have fun in.  

On board the 52-passenger bus

Oh, and fun we had; following the pro-golfers from tee to tee, or in my case watching from the 10^th green with a drink in my hand, being served by pretty girls and having the world’s best golfers play right to me.  Okay, now you can tell I’m into maybe my fourth or so drink and enjoying myself a bit too much. 

This is the only PGA event outside the USA or Canada, and as such attracts great golfers from around the world; players like Harris English, Mike Weir, and Justin Leonard.  Now in its seventh year this great tournament has top line sponsors just waiting to give away hats, beer, wine, bottled water, snacks and more. 

I wonder what Brian is taking a photo of?

Alas eventually the tourney is over and we walk, or stagger, back to the resort shuttle buses that will take us to our bus and the one hour trip back to the Isla Mujeres ferry.  

The party continued however as a couple of the guys convinced our bus driver to purchase a cooler full of beer just in case we got thirsty on the drive back. 

Headed home - more free hats!

Now you might think this trip is all about the guys, however, this year we sold raffle tickets on board the bus, and will continue to sell them until all of the 200 tickets are sold.  

All proceeds collected go to support the Ron Brown Scholarship Fund.  The fund assists qualified Isla students with expenses related to college or university education.

The Raffle Prize: is an amazing three-day salmon fishing trip to northern British Columbia in mid-June of 2014.  The fishing tourney is situated at a five-star floating fish camp.  It is the perfect location to land a 40-pound king salmon, or a monster halibut.  The prize includes airfare from anywhere in Mexico, US, or Canada to the camp, all the gear, guide, gourmet meals and fine wines.  Sound good to you?  Great!  Contact me for your tickets.  The ticket price is 500 pesos for 1 or 1000 pesos for 3.  You could be joining thirty-three other guys in the Reeling for Ronnie Fishing Tourney in northern British Columbia in June 2014. 

June 2013 - me, at the Reeling for Ronnie Tourney in BC

So, same time next year for our fifth annual Isla Mujeres PGA road trip!  It’s a date.  Fortunately for me, that’s a little bit away, as I am moving slowly today.

Hasta Luego

Lawrie

Camera's are confiscated at the entrance gate - so no photos of the players or the game.