An 18-hole championship course anchors new resort-style community, with the collaborative design focused on establishing a benchmark for inland golf in Mexico.
SAN DIEGO, CA., – Pizá Golf and Nicklaus Design have announced a landmark co-design collaboration for Valle de los Encinos, a luxury, wine-producing mountain community in Chihuahua, north-central Mexico. Centered on an 18-hole championship golf course alongside a broad suite of lifestyle amenities, the development is currently under construction, with the golf course serving as a primary anchor. Conceived as a semi-private club with public access through an on-site hotel, it blends the refinement of a country club course with the playability and appeal of a destination resort course. Delivery is anticipated in 2027.
“Valle de los Encinos was always envisioned as something enduring — a place where land, architecture, and community converge at the highest level.” said Eugenio Baeza, Owner of Valle de los Encinos Bringing together Nicklaus Design and Pizá Golf reflects our commitment to creating not just a championship course, this collab ensures that Valle de los Encinos will feel both globally relevant and deeply rooted in its place in Mexico.”
The 18-hole layout is being co-designed by Agustín Pizá and Chad Goetz of Nicklaus Design and blends classic strategic principles with a modern design approach, with both teams collaborating closely on routing, strategy, and architectural expression. The result is a championship course crafted for tournament-caliber play, repeated enjoyment by all, and long-term relevance.
“This is a project where collaboration truly elevates the result,” said Agustín Pizá, Founder of Pizá Golf. “Working alongside Nicklaus Design and Chad Goetz allows us to bring together deep, award-winning international experience and progressive design thinking. From routing and strategy to land planning and execution, every decision is intentional – designed to challenge elite players, reward thoughtful shot making, and remain deeply enjoyable for everyday golfers.”
The collaboration was sparked through professional alignment and creative momentum developed during recent work connected to TGL, the technology-driven league blending simulator golf with live competition, where Pizá and Goetz discovered an immediate design synergy. That shared design language – centered on bold lines, purposeful options, and experiential storytelling – now carries through Valle de los Encinos and informs everything from tee-shot decisions to green complexes and transitional spaces.
“I am excited to work alongside Agustín on this spectacular piece of property,” said Chad Goetz, Senior Designer at Nicklaus Design. “Our friendship has been formed over many years, and I’m excited that this collaboration gives us the opportunity to bring our two design voices together to create a singular and truly distinctive vision. While Nicklaus Design has worked on many iconic projects across Mexico, this marks our first in central Mexico, making the opportunity especially exciting.”
Paul Stringer, President of Nicklaus Design added: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Agustín Pizá on a course that will serve as the focal point of this exceptional master-planned community. This marks our 26th championship course in Mexico, spanning from Cabo San Lucas to the Yucatán Peninsula, and reflects our ongoing commitment to creating golf experiences that are shaped by the land and inspired by the cultural heritage of each region.”
In addition to leading the architectural vision, Pizá Golf is providing comprehensive project management services for Valle de los Encinos. This integrated role ensures continuity between design intent and execution, with oversight spanning construction coordination, consultant alignment, and on-site decision-making. Construction of the course is already underway, with major infrastructure and course shaping in progress.
Notes to Editors:
Assets: Bios for Agustin Pizá and Chad Goetz as well as images for editorial use can be downloaded here:
About Pizá Golf:
At Pizá Golf®, the team elevates the craft of golf course design, demanding more of themselves on behalf of their clients. Each new site is brought to life with velvet greens, coarse sands, towering pines, and strategic twists.
Since 2006, the firm has sculpted award-winning golf courses across mountains, desert, valleys, and jungle landscapes, designing elegant challenges that invigorate players while living in harmony with the land.
Pizá Golf approaches its work as artists whose medium is the natural world, creating innovative golf course designs across a range of climates and elevations by fusing artistic curiosity and ecological sensitivity with strategic gameplay.
Under the leadership of Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf® has been involved in more than eighty unique projects across three continents – from elite private clubs to five-star resorts and destination golf communities. The firm maintains design studios in San Diego, California, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For more information visit: https://www.pizagolf.com
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About Nicklaus Companies:
Nicklaus Design, and their team of talented designers are recognized as the world leader in golf course design, with more than 440 courses open for play worldwide, across 47 countries and 40 U.S. states.
While many of Nicklaus Design’s award-winning courses have played host to the world’s top championships across all major tours, the company creates courses that are both enjoyable and challenging for all players, regardless of playing level. Each project is approached with the Nicklaus Design philosophy – one that produces timeless, premium golf courses across the world.
Nicklaus Design, part of Nicklaus Companies, has designed 25 courses in Mexico and is proud of is contribution to the legacy of the game.
For 50 years, the mission of Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience and deliver quality branded products and services on a global basis that reflect the high standards of the company. For more information visit: https://www.nicklausdesign.comand https://www.nicklauscompanies.com
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About Valle de los Encinos:
Valle de los Encinos is an exclusive real estate development designed by Artigas Arquitectos, synonymous with tradition, excellence, and vision in Mexican architecture.
Located within the Agua Caliente ranch in Chihuahua, north-central Mexico, this 8,000-hectare paradise captivates with its spectacular views, first-class event infrastructure, excellent cuisine, winemaking, and spaces dedicated to ecotourism.
The championship course serves as the architectural and experiential anchor of the development. Residential lots are being carefully configured to enhance views of the golf course and surrounding landscape while preserving the integrity of the routing and maintaining a sense of openness and flow across the property. The course is designed to feel expansive and uninterrupted, reinforcing its championship character while supporting a vibrant, livable community. For more information visit: https://valledelosencinos.com.mx
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Media Contacts:
Pizá Golf
Vanessa Marie Price
Read the Greens GOLF Media +1 (714) 544-6515
readthegreens@aol.com or VanessaMarie@readthegreensgolfmedia.net
Nicklaus Design
+1 (561) 227-0300
design@nicklaus.com
