Crown Jewel of Costa Rica

Crown Jewel of Costa Rica

Mental golf gurus have a saying during rough or tense situations - "Go to your happy place."

This golf season, why not head to a happy place in what many refer to as the happiest country on Earth.

That would be the Reserva Conchal Beach Resort Golf and Spa, a luxury resort situated on Costa Rica's sparkling northwestern Pacific coast. Situated between white sand beaches and a "dry" tropical forest, Reserva Conchal is a prominent golf development in the country's Guanacaste region.

Set within the resort's vast 2,300 acres is a five-star all-inclusive Westin Golf Resort & Spa, featuring 60,000-square-foot Reserva Conchal Beach Club. Its highlights include an extensive swimming pavilion, modern workout facilities, fine dining and an exquisite spa. Future plans call for luxury residences and a W Costa Rica - Reserva hotel to be built. But the crown jewel of Reserva Conchal is its championship golf course.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the layout is wonderfully carved between the azure Pacific Ocean waters and lush greens of the neighboring tropical forest. The par-71 course can stretch beyond 7,000 yards, and boasts breathtaking ocean vistas and unforgettable holes meandering through lakes, rugged ravines and rolling hills.

Historically, no other golf course in Costa Rica rivals Reserva Conchal. In 2008, it hosted the region's first international professional event, the Costa Rica TLA Masters. Notable professional golfers Jesper Parnevik, David Leadbetter and Hale Irwin have notched rounds here, and that list will grow substantially in May.

Next month, Reserva Conchal will host the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica Essential Costa Rica Classic. The inaugural tournament - sponsored by the Costa Rica Tourism Institute - is the first-ever PGA TOUR event in Costa Rica, and will boast 144 professional golfers from more than 25 countries.

Consistently ranked among the top-30 best in the Caribbean and Mexico, Reserva Conchal was the first course in Costa Rica bestowed certification by Audubon International. But it's not just the golf course that gets acclaim - its world-class practice facility and learning center offers four green complexes, bunkers, chipping and approach areas, and an expansive practice tee. Single- and multi-day golf clinics are offered, including the PGA TOUR Academy featuring certified instructors from famed TPC Sawgrass.

At Reserva Conchal, the letter "W" is synonomous with luxury accommodations. The all-inclusive Westin Golf Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal sits on a pristine stretch of white sand and provides the ultimate in elegance - with personal concierge services at the Royal Beach Club and sumptuous amenities standard of the Westin brand. Additional five-star touches found at the resort include 10 on-site restaurants and bars, a well-appointed spa that offers an array of services and treatments.

Right after the pros leave might be the best time to make Reserva Conchal your happy place. Starting at $379 per person, per night (four-night minimum), the Golf Escape package includes luxurious accommodations at the Westin Golf Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal, and a round of golf on either Reserva Conchal, Hacienda Pinilla or the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo. Golf cart, driving range access and bottled water is included. Transportation to golf courses and golf clubs are not included, and other restrictions may apply.

The offer expires November 30, and guests must mention PGAPROM promotion code when booking online at www.westinplayaconchal.com or when calling (506) 2654-3031 or emailing golf@reservaconchal.com. For more information about Reserva Conchal, visit www.reservaconchal.com.