The Director of El Camaleón at Mayakoba since 2016, David López has over 20 years’ experience in the golf industry, focusing on the operations and management of professional golf courses.
During his career, he has specialized in the sport itself and in all aspects of its operations. He first came to Mayakoba as Director of the Jim Mclean Academy, a top tier training facility for golf enthusiasts and high-performance golfers.
He has a Professional Golf Management Degree from the SDGA in Orlando, Florida. He is a certified Master Professional Jim McLean Instructor and has played professional golf in several renowned international tours.
The López Journey
A defining episode in my life happened when I took on the role of Director of Instruction at the Jim McLean Golf School right here at Mayakoba.
Working hands-on every day with golfers of all levels — helping them improve their game while surrounded by this stunning resort and course — showed me that my true calling wasn’t just playing or teaching golf, but creating exceptional experiences and leading world-class operations.
That hands-on chapter became the perfect launch pad for stepping into the Director of Golf position in 2017, where I’ve had the privilege of overseeing El Camaleón ever since.
***
What was the tipping point in your coming to Mayakoba to serve as Director of golf?
The tipping point came shortly after I joined Mayakoba as Director of Instruction for the Jim McLean Golf School. I had already fallen in love with the incredible environment and the world-class potential of El Camaleón.
When the opportunity to step into the full Director of Golf role opened up in 2017, I knew it was the right move. It gave me the chance to combine my passion for teaching with complete operational leadership and help elevate one of Latin America’s most iconic golf destinations.
What differentiates Mayakoba from other luxury resort golf destinations in Mexico?
Our maturity and the diversity of our landscapes. We offer a seamless journey through three distinct ecosystems—jungle, mangrove, and oceanfront. With 20 years of history hosting the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and now the LPGA, we provide the top level of operational expertise and “institutional memory” as a destination.
Mayakoba is a clear destination of interest from many parts of the world. How large a percentage is visitors from the United States and how does the facility market to that audience to keep interest front and center?
The United States is our primary market, accounting for 75% of our visitors. We maintain this leadership through three key tactics:
• High-Profile Events/Projects: Hosting elite events/tournaments like the LPGA Riviera Maya Open to keep El Camaleón top-of-mind for American golfers.
• Logistical Excellence and Luxury: Offering a seamless, ultra-luxury ecosystem where logistical precision and meticulous attention to detail define the guest experience across our four brands and lagoons.
• Strategic Proximity: Leveraging our geographical closeness to major US hubs through targeted PR and luxury travel partnerships
Speak to the role golf plays in positioning Mayakoba as a leading luxury destination over the last 20 years? How do you ensure El Camaleón stays relevant?
Golf has been our anchor from day one.
As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, El Camaleón remains relevant by evolving alongside the sport’s global landscape. We host the benchmarks of the industry; from 16 years of the PGA Tour to the innovation of LIV Golf and the prestige of the LPGA.
Our ability to host the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC), first in 2020 and now preparing for its return in 2027, proves that the game’s highest governing bodies (The Masters, The R&A, and the USGA) trust our operational excellence and world-class standards.
The resort is hosting the LPGA Tour with the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba in the next few weeks. What prompted interest in hosting an LPGA event?
Women’s golf is experiencing a monumental surge in talent and global engagement. Bringing the Mexico Riviera Maya Open to Mayakoba is a testament to our commitment to supporting golf across all its fronts.
We want the world’s best female athletes to experience the extreme attention to detail that defines our destination.
Given Mayakoba’s past record in hosting the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and now the LPGA Tour – what’s next on the golf radar scene for the resort?
Our radar is set on the future of the sport.
We are incredibly proud to announce that Mayakoba will once again host the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) in 2027. This tournament is the “Major” of amateur golf in our region, providing the winner a life-changing pathway to The Masters, The Open, and the US Open.
Hosting this event for the second time consolidates Mayakoba as the epicenter of competitive excellence, where we nurture the next generation of icons while continuing to deliver a top-tier professional stage.
Beyond major events, our focus is on refining the amateur experience so that every guest feels the same level of precision and service as a pro during a championship week.
Knowing personalized customer service is a key component at Mayakoba, define that dimension within the golf experience, and how it is carried out on a daily basis?
It’s about service. Our staff operates with the mindset that no request is too small.
From knowing a guest’s preferred refreshment to providing a level of privacy that allows high-profile individuals to disappear into the game, we treat every daily round with the operational rigor of a professional tournament.
What role does customer feedback play from the golf experience and how does the facility go about securing such comments?
It is our primary compass.
We secure it through a combination of high-touch personal interactions by our staff and digital post-round surveys.
Every piece of feedback is analyzed in our operational briefings to ensure immediate refinement of the guest experience.
What specific trends are you noticing so far in 2026 relating to the golf travel market?
We are seeing a move toward “Holistic Golf.” Travelers are no longer just looking for 18 holes; they want a 360-degree experience that integrates wellness, high-end gastronomy, and advanced technology—all within an environment that guarantees security and exclusivity.
The biggest challenges, short and long-term facing Mayakoba, are what?
Short term: Maintaining our infrastructure at its peak amidst a rapidly growing market.
Long term: Preserving our unique environmental soul while continuing to innovate our luxury offerings to meet the expectations of the next generation of golfers.
What strategic steps are you taking to deal with each?
We are heavily investing in constant course enhancements and, more importantly, in the continuous training of our human talent.
We believe that while technology evolves, the “craftsmanship” of luxury service is what creates true loyalty.
Best advice you ever received — what was it and who was it from?
The best advice I ever received came from Jim McLean himself during my time directing his golf school at Mayakoba. He told me: “Golf is about creating unforgettable experiences for every player — the swing is just the beginning.”
That simple but powerful insight has guided everything I do, from instruction to course management. It taught me to always put the guest and the game first, and it’s something I share with my team every day.
***
For more info onLuxury Hotels & Residences in Riviera Maya | Mayakoba Mexico click HERE
Images courtesy of Mayakoba.
