Good fortune: RTJII building second Panama resort course

Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects will design a second course at the Buenaventura Resort in Panama, already recognized as Central America’s premier golf destination. The layout for the new course — Course #2 — was unveiled this week and is expected to open in late 2025.

The new course will be set within a 800-acre resort along Panama’s Pacific coast and will blend the site’s natural beauty, including specimen Corotu and Panama trees, with thoughtful design. The ever-changing landscape — jungle, meadows, beachfront — will be an integral part of the golf experience. The use of meandering “ribbon tees” will allow players to choose a course length that best suits their ability.

“As they play, golfers will journey through a variety of distinct environments,” RTJII president Bruce Charlton said. “The jungle holes will be surrounded by dense foliage and towering Guanacaste trees, punctuated by a series of running streams, and offering an adventurous experience of navigating winding fairways. The meadow holes, with their wide-open spaces, provide expansive scale and invite bold, strategic play. Players will encounter the challenge of a breathtaking beach and ocean view hole, a one-of-a-kind challenge comprised of ocean breezes and sandy shores.”

Built as a traditional continuous 18-hole loop, the course will feature a welcoming halfway house as well as a member-only gathering spot between holes 9 and 10.

While designed to be a distinctly different golf experience from Course #1, the shorter Course #2 will place an emphasis on fun and playability. However, Course #2 at Buenaventura will place a premium on strategic play commensurate to each golfer’s level of skill and confidence. Natural streams, twisting barrancas, and water features provide multiple options and angles on every hole. Better golfers will face numerous risk/reward options; higher-handicappers will find bail-out areas and opportunities to play safe. Tightly mown chipping areas near the green complexes will give all golfers the chance to demonstrate finesse and creativity with a variety of short-game shots. As a result, each round will be a fresh and exciting challenge.

Reinforcing RTJII’s commitment to respecting the environment, many areas of rough will be irrigated only by natural rainfall, enhancing the unique atmosphere of the Riviera Pacifica. Existing elevation changes will be incorporated to produce stunning sightlines, ocean views, and the thrill of playing from elevated portions of the ribbon tees and to a few uphill greens.

Jack Nicklaus designed the original 18-hole championship course.