In the Mexican state of Coahuila, the municipality of Cuatro Ciénegas is recognized as one of the most beautiful biodiverse ecosystems in the world and considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the state’s desert region, Cuatro Ciengas, Spanish for “Four Marshes,” was chosen by the first settlers because of the area’s natural springs that create extensive wetland areas and lakes.
This destination is so pristine the entire municipality is an official Mexican Biological Reserve and the country’s tourism department dubs it “Pueblo Magico,” or ‘Magic Town,” for all the natural and historical "magical" qualities that exist.
Now, the newly formed Pizá Chamblee Golf Design team hopes one of its newer non-traditional golf facilities in Cuatro Ciengas can magically help grow the game. The innovative facility, which is under construction in a master-planned resort community in Cuatro Ciengas, goes by “The Butterfly Effect.”
And it’s just one of the “bold” design concepts that attracted former PGA Tour player and Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee to partner with Agustín Pizá last year.
“Augie is a man with a strong vision striving in his design philosophy to create golf courses and golf experiences that will thrill the enthusiast and activist alike, while offering to those without a traditional golf background an introduction to the game,” says Chamblee, who, alongside Pizá, kicked off this year’s NGCOA Golf Business Conference with a fireside chat titled, “The Pizá Effect: The Passion Begins When You Live the Experience.”
As for the new “Butterfly Effect” experience, the catchy course concept refers to the facility’s layout that resembles the wings of a butterfly from above with four diverse quadrangles. Within these distinct sections are six-hole golf loops creatively routed among the rustic hillside landscape and placed around an inventive multi-purpose short course that is being built to one day host a professional women’s golf tournament, according to Pizá.
Pizá, a proud member of both the European Institute and the American Society of Golf Course Architects, notes “The Butterfly Effect” facility also is a reference to the “Chaos Theory” where one small change in a system can result in a large difference.
“This thought process and concept could change golf course designs, create a movement and ultimately grow the game,” adds Pizá, who is Director of First Tee Mexico. “A golf course like this asks the average golfer to have fun and think, and the low handicap golfer to think and have fun. We are elated that the ‘Butterfly Effect’ concept is in development.”
Chamblee, a longtime advocate for more 3-hole courses, women-friendly layouts and alternative golf experiences like “indoor stadium golf,” is elated to be part of Pizá’s bold new golf vision of the future.
“Augie’s concept is ingenious,” Chamblee says. “The four-six-hole loops were designed to meet the ever-changing demands on time and to create a golf experience for different skill levels. A new or beginning golfer as well as an avid golfer will enjoy the layout. Six holes is the new nine and 12 holes is the new 18.”
What remains to be seen, however, is whether the duo’s “Butterfly Effect'' in Cuatro Ciengas will catch on in “Magic Town.” Meanwhile, the golf industry can only hope the wings of this butterfly-like course concept can truly have a ‘chaotic’ and ripple-like effect and somehow magically grow the game for years to come.