Guest Blog: Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational

Don't get me wrong. We CT+L editors would love to be in the islands all the time. But of course, duty calls back here in the office sometimes, so we can't always make it to cover certain Caribbean festivals and events ourselves – like this year's Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational. Luckily, freelance travel writer Craig Zabransky, frequent contributor to Cheapflights.com and featured guest on Fox & Friends and Sirius radio, was on the ground covering the event, and he provided this special guest blog just for CT+L. Take it away, Craig...

Mexico. Many remain cautious, and some tourists still seem hesitant to travel to its beautiful beaches, experience its colorful culture and enjoy its “mañana” mantra. But just this last weekend, Dec 3-6, over twenty world-recognizable athletes, actors, and Olympic champions traveled to Mexico’s Caribbean coast to join amateur golfers for four days in the sun.
Known best for its resorts, clear blue water and nightlife, the Riviera Maya is also home to some of the best golf courses in Mexico, and it was the perfect setting for the first annual Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational, an event that essentially (and unofficially) reopened tourism to one of Mexico’s most important travel destinations.

The event selected Los Playa Mujeres Golf Course to host both the Friday skins game and the main Pro-Am on Saturday.  The challenging links course, designed by Greg Norman, proved difficult at times, but the hospitality and camaraderie established in the foursomes created a festive atmosphere.

I camped out on the par three 11th hole. There I watched as each foursome (comprised of one celebrity and three amateurs) designated one player to hit for the official 197-yard “hole in one.” The prize: A $450,000 condo in Cancun. A difficult shot. Most foursomes selected the celebrity guest to take the chance and actually Bob Beamon, the US Olympic Gold Medal Long jumper from the ’68 Mexico City games gave it the best ride. But, no condo. In fact, only one participant (an amateur) came close. He left it just six feet from the hole.

The Hacienda TresRios opened its doors to host the celebrities and all of the invitational’s related events. A pioneer on the Riviera Maya, the resort and spa has earned numerous environmental and sustainable awards including the Green Global Certification. Constructed on land that was once a national park altered by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the recently opened luxury Hacienda did not forget its roots. Today, guests can snorkel, kayak or even just learn about the resort's three rivers, ten Cenotes and diverse ecosystem.

Each night, the all-inclusive provided an idyllic setting for the event's many cocktail receptions, the Texas Hold’em tournament, and the final awards dinner. All elegant. All enjoyable.

Now, after the successful tournament (which had an impressive list of celebrities in attendance including actor Chris Tucker, NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Jansen, and the tournament champion Darryl Talley among others), I expect the event to grow.  Next year’s 2nd annual tournament might just be that special weekend to circle on your calendar and head to the Caribbean coast of Mexico. – Craig Zabransky

To read more from Craig, you can follow him on Twitter: @StayAdventurous – and don't forget to follow us too (@CaribTravelLife) for travel deals, contest announcements and more!

Guest Blog: Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational