The Santa Maria Golf and Country Club is the first course that will be designed in Panama by Nicklaus Design, the global golf firm founded by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The 18 hole course is being developed on a 700 acre site conveniently located just on the outskirts of the ever growing town of Panama City, Panama.

The Santa Maria Golf and Country Club presents a unique opportunity for the developers and design team to work with a clean canvas in large part due to the existing terrain, we have the ability to create natural land forms for the golf course to be routed upon. The direction in which the team agreed to pursue in order to maximize the existing vegetation and surrounding areas is to create a "parkland" golf course which will compliment the housing component. This has been carried out by incorporating a number of items such as various water features that will contain strategically placed wetland areas, extensive landscaping using plant material that is indigenous to Panama and selecting a turf within the playable areas that will be state of the art which will allow the developers to conserve water not only on the golf course but surrounding areas as well without sacrificing playability. The golf course will be constructed using the most modern construction techniques including USGA greens construction, capping of all playing surfaces which will ensure not only proper drainage but provide an solid growing medium for the turf and improve the playability of the course. An elaborate drainage system has been designed to remove water quickly from the golf course which is necessary given the amount of rain that occurs during the rainy season.

The championship golf course will measure 7,196 yards from the back tees and offer four tee locations in order to accommodate not only the accomplished golfer but the beginning player as well. The strategy is designed to always provide the player with a safe route to the green yet with well placed bunkering the player has the ability to score below par with proper ball placement and shot execution. A premium will be placed on the short game especially around the well contoured greens that allow for a variety of pin placements. Santa Maria Golf and Country Club will be a golf course in which all other future developments will be measured against in regards to the strategic design, playability, maintenance and construction techniques. Nicklaus Design is recognized as the industry leader worldwide for their golf course design and finished product.