Puerto Vallarta Golf: Architect Agustín Pizá on Resilience & Recovery After Violence
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Golf course architect Agustín Pizá found himself sheltering in his apartment this past Sunday as cartel violence erupted in the city following the killing of a wanted drug lord. The incident, which included torched buses and businesses and clashes between security forces and suspected gang members, forced a city-wide lockdown and the cancellation of Pizá’s flight.
Pizá, who has maintained an office in Puerto Vallarta since 2006 and now employs eight people there, initially thought the smoke he saw from his apartment was from an accident. He quickly learned otherwise, scanning news reports and social media feeds after receiving worried messages from family and friends. The violence, triggered by a military operation that killed the country’s most-wanted drug lord, brought a temporary halt to his work trip, which involved site visits to two ongoing projects.
Despite the disruption, Pizá remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for Puerto Vallarta, emphasizing its importance as a tourism hub. “Here’s really a one-off incident for Puerto Vallarta,” he said. “Anyone who has been here knows it’s one of the coolest, safest, friendliest places you can go. But it’s unfortunate because in the end Mexico lives off tourism.” The region, home to roughly 500,000 people, has been a major international destination since the 1960s, with golf playing a significant role in its economic engine.
Pizá’s connection to the area is both professional and personal. Born and raised in Tijuana, he now divides his time between San Diego and Mexico, overseeing projects across Mexico, Latin America, and Europe through his firm, Pizá Golf. He began his career coordinating projects at Palmilla, El Dorado, and Querencia, and has collaborated with golf legends like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Fazio. His firm manages projects from its offices in San Diego and Puerto Vallarta.
Known in industry circles for his creative and unconventional designs, Pizá is currently involved in several notable projects. These include the “Butterfly Effect,” a 24-hole layout in the Coahuila Desert, and his work with TGL, the tech-driven golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. His designs for TGL have garnered attention for their imaginative and fantastical elements, such as holes modeled after cenotes and ancient temples.
Ironically, the TGL provided a welcome distraction during the lockdown. Pizá spent Monday watching the simulator league air on television, observing players navigate the challenges he helped create. “If it wasn’t for TGL,” he said, “I’m not sure what I’d be doing.”
By Tuesday, authorities had lifted restrictions, the airport reopened, and Pizá was able to rebook his flight. He acknowledged the impact the violence would have on local businesses, particularly those reliant on tourism – restaurateurs, hotel workers, and caddies – but expressed confidence in the city’s ability to recover quickly.
Pizá is careful to contextualize the situation, noting that tourists are rarely the intended targets of such violence, which typically represents a power struggle between authorities and criminal groups. He emphasizes that while such incidents are jarring, they are often exceptions rather than the rule. He often responds to inquiries about safety in Mexico by asking if the questioner intends to engage in illegal activities, stating that otherwise, they are likely to be safe.
Upon returning to Puerto Vallarta in three weeks, Pizá found his office reopened and fully staffed, demonstrating a commitment to continuing operations despite the recent events. A visit to Marina Vallarta Golf Club revealed a similar sense of normalcy, with the course busy and offering complimentary margaritas to patrons.
Pizá’s flight home was uneventful, and he expressed relief at returning to his family in San Diego. However, his thoughts remained focused on Puerto Vallarta, and he looks forward to his next visit, reaffirming his dedication to the region and its future.