PHOTO: This is Old School. Keeping it simple...blue water...a panga boat...some beer...some sunshine and a fish on the end of the line.


THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS CHANGING


Originally published in Western Outdoor News the Week of February 24, 2009



Well, it finally happened. After many false starts, they opened a golf course here in La Paz. Well, they opened the driving range part but the rest of the big green park is supposed to be open in a few months.

They also broke ground on two other courses here in town. I have to admit to mixed emotions.

Let me say that I’m not a golfer. I learned long ago that I have no aptitude for it and given the fanaticism I see among my golfing buddies, that’s probably a good thing. I have enough vices and toys to fill my garage…fishing and fishing gear being among them. I’m just not into spending my day chasing a little white ball all over.

But, I do have a world of admiration for anyone who can do it. It’s a helluva skill. I can lay claim to once shooting a 68 and I’d have done even better if my ball hadn’t hit the windmill before bouncing through the castle and missing the clown’s mouth. But that’s as good as it gets.

But, a lot of folks like golf and so do a lot of my fishing friends and clients. Power to them, I’m glad we can now offer that service and another vacation activity…just like Loreto. Just like East Cape and just like Cabo!

Yes, just like Cabo. That’s where it kinda gets caught in my throat. Just like Cabo. Hmmmm…

I like Cabo San Lucas a lot. For a lot of reasons. But having a golf course just seems to smack of all the things that people came to Baja to escape and things that I hear on a daily basis about why folks are looking for other Baja destinations. Golf is an icon that changes the landscape geographically, socially, and culturally like no other. Think about that.

In and of itself, it’s not the problem. But play free-form-association with the word “golf” and you get related words like clubhouse, estates, tennis clubs, exclusive country clubs, traffic, restaurants, boutique mall, parking lot, blah blah blah. You get the point. Take it further and you come up with marinas, yachts, booze cruise, para-gliding, beach rentals, noise…sound familiar?

Man, wha’ happened? Que paso?
Tell ya what. We brought it with us and I’m as guilty as the next person. And I understand the phenomenon that strikes us all who find a piece of paradise and

(a) Don’t want it to ever change and/or
(b) Don’t want anyone else to move in after us

I’m being very selfish. And God bless progress and I can only hope it’s done right. I’m sure I’ll go give it another try!

Still, I had to cringe over a conversation I heard when I ducked into a local taco stand for a quick lunch. Four new “transplants” were having a conversation that pretty much centered on:

Not being able to find a decent gardner who would work for less than 10 dollars a day.
How slow the service was at the new Burger King and how locals did not understand the concept of “fast service.”

Where the ladies yacht club would hold it’s “high tea luncheon.”

How much gas their Humvee was using these days.

Exhale...Cringe...Shake my head...

In contrast it was so refreshing to get a call today from some guys who wanted to go fishing next month.

“We don’t need fancy. We’re jus’ some good old boys who want a room that has some hot water. We need some beer and a boat that goes forward and won’t sink and do some fishing. Simple as that!”

I’m gonna miss that old school. It’s a dwindling breed. But I’d better learn to play golf or at least get my ball past the windmill.


That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.