Dominican Republic
A feature from the IAGTO Directory 2014
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic Caribbean Golf at its Best 2013 IAGTO Golf Destination of the Year, the Dominican Republic, has it all as the current tourism campaign highlights, and this certainly applies to golf. With more oceanside golf than any other comparable destination and a wide array of inland and coastal courses for the golf traveller to enjoy, the Dominican Republic can be considered the ‘It’ destination for golf! The country’s courses carry the world-class designer labels of Pete Dye, PB Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Price. In fact, nine of the country’s golf courses are included in Golfweek Magazine’s 2010 list of the top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Catalonia Bávaro Resort
The second-largest country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is also one of the most ecologically-diverse nations in the world. Stunning vistas, including waves crashing over dramatic coastlines, coconut palm groves, lush, sun-kissed fairways, gentle mountains and exotic nature, set the scene for uniquely-designed and distinct golf courses.
The busiest of six international gateways, Punta Cana Airport is a short drive from popular golf resorts, and new highways have made the nine courses of Punta Cana, Cap Cana and Bávaro no more than a 30-minute drive from each other. Casa de Campo also now comes into play for golfers not staying on-site as it can be reached within 50 minutes from Punta Cana. Most dramatically of all, Juan Dolio and La Romana are within 40 minutes Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana is only two hours away, halving the previous journey time. The Dominican Republic is set on attracting many more avid golfers from all key markets to this spectacular golf destination. The following are some of the main courses visitors can enjoy:
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Dominican Republic
Punta Espada Golf Course
East Region: Punta Cana, Cap Cana & Bávaro The glittering East Coast comprising Punta Cana, Bávaro and the Cap Cana Resort area has 189 holes of golf all easily accessible from a wide range of sumptuous beach-front resorts, enough to make the Caribbean golf enthusiast’s heart melt! La Cana Golf Club
PUNTACANA Resort & Club, Punta Cana La Cana Golf Club was Holes: 27; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,152 established in 2001 as Designer: PB Dye an 18-hole course with a new nine-hole Hacienda added in January 2012. The Tortuga and Arrecife nines capture the Caribbean’s stunning scenery thanks to 14 ocean-view holes including four remarkable holes that play right on the beach. Hacienda is both challenging and beautifully designed and takes the golfer inland through dense, colourful tropical vegetation.
Corales Golf Course
PUNTACANA Resort & Club, Punta Cana This Tom Fazio creation, the Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,200 second oceanfront course Designer: Tom Fazio at PUNTACANA Resort & Club, was inaugurated in 2010. It features cliff-top holes along the north shore of the resort’s luxury Corales enclave. Fazio’s breathtaking, distinctive design has quickly established Corales as one of the Dominican Republic’s mustplay courses, featuring six oceanfront holes set between rocky cliffs, coral reefs and the Caribbean Sea.
Punta Espada Golf Course
Cap Cana The first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in the Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,396 Dominican Republic opened Designer: Jack Nicklaus for play in September 2006 and continues to make top golf course lists including Golfweek magazine’s number one course in the Caribbean and Latin America in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Nicklaus’ gem boasts eight holes playing either alongside or over the Caribbean Sea and a further five with ocean views. Punta Espada also hosted the PGA Tour’s Champions Tour event, the Cap Cana Championship, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. 103
Dominican Republic
Catalonia Bávaro Resort
Catalonia Bávaro Resort Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana T h e 18 - h o l e C a t a l o n i a Catalonia Caribe Golf Club: 18 holes; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,650 Caribe Golf Club is open Cabeza de Toro Golf Club: 9 holes; Par: 35/27; Yardage: 2,860 from November to April and Designer: Alberto Sola and Jack Corrie features a large lake, five lagoons, numerous mature shade trees and ample fairways, with a mix of uphill and downhill holes. The nine-hole Cabeza de Toro Golf Club is adjacent to the resort and open year-round. This challenging executive course is surrounded by swaying palm trees and pristine waterways. The Lakes Barceló Golf Course Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort, Bávaro Barceló Golf de Bávaro, Holes: 18; Par; 72; Yardage: 6,376 which opened in 1991, Designer: Juan Manuel Gordillo/PB Dye was redesigned by PB Dye in 2009 and is widely recognised as a beautiful and well-maintained first class golf course, within walking distance of the hotel itself. The inland course is set alongside the Bávaro lagoon with some holes bordered by lush vegetation and others completely open. Cocotal Golf and Country Club Meliá Hotels and Resorts, Bávaro Opened in 2000, Cocotal Holes: 27; Par: 36 for each nine; Yardages: 3,380/3,905/3,203 Golf and Country Club’s three Designer: Jose “Pepe” Gancedo nine-hole courses – Hibiscus, Bouganvillea and Benjamina – each possess memorable routings designed by Jose “Pepe” Gancedo. The six-time Spanish champion utilises the natural terrain of an old coconut plantation for all 27 holes, including serene lakes and swaying palm trees, with strategically-placed trees, bunkers, mounds and gently-rolling terrain, as well as generous fairways. 104
Dominican Republic
Iberostate Bávaro Golf Club Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, Bávaro Golfers of all levels will Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,897 d e l i g h t a t P B D y e’s Designer: PB Dye Iberostate Bávaro Golf Club. The inland course is within the 1,800-room, family-friendly Iberostar complex which includes the 276-room Grand Hotel for adults only that is very popular with golfers. The course itself is well known for its excellent greens and is set in naturally-lush surroundings and dramatically-undulating elevated terrain. Punta Blanca Golf Club Inaugurated in May 2007 and the first design in the Caribbean by three-time Major championship winner Nick Price, the fairly-open, inland course is built around natural wetlands within Bávaro’s Punta Blanca residential development and features wide fairways with large bunkers and lakes. Hard Rock Golf Club at Cana Bay The first golf course to carry the iconic Hard Rock brand, this Nicklaus-designed golf course, which opened in March 2010, is challenging, memorable and enjoyable and is located just inland from the beach-front Hard Rock Hotel.
Bávaro Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,174 Designer: Nick Price
Hard Rock Hotel, Punta Cana Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,253 Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Punta Blanca Golf Club
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Dominican Republic
The Links
South-East Region: La Romana The South-East Coast lays claim to a combination of picturesque beaches, chic accommodation and a variety of exciting attractions in addition to its famous golf courses. Golfers can play at some of the world’s best courses designed by the Dye family dynasty. Four courses are located at Casa de Campo Resort. Once a sugar-producing region, the La Romana area charms with azure Caribbean seas, exotic islands, the Chavón River valley and palm-tree covered national parks. Teeth of the Dog
Casa de Campo Resort, La Romana Dye’s first Casa de Campo Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,888 creation in 1971 was the course Designer: Pete Dye that initially put the Dominican Republic on the world’s golf stage. Over 40 years later, Teeth of the Dog consistently ranks among the world’s best courses. There are seven oceanfront holes. Dye sharpened its teeth by lengthening some holes, and upgrading greens and bunkers for a November 2005 re-opening.
The Links
Casa de Campo Resort, La Romana The second Dye course at Casa Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,650 de Campo opened in 1975 and Designer: Pete Dye has drawn comparisons to traditional British and Scottish links courses thanks to firm fairways and open putting surfaces that invite golfers to play shots along the ground. The moderately-hilly course features several lagoons and lakes, dense bahia and guinea jungle-grass rough and numerous bunkers.
Teeth of the Dog
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Dominican Republic
Dye Fore
Casa de Campo Resort, La Romana Pete D ye’s th i rd Holes: 27; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,770 masterpiece at the Designer: Pete Dye luxurious Casa de Campo Resort, built in 2005, will take your breath away with the dramatic Chavón River valley – where scenes from Apocalypse Now were filmed – as a backdrop. The course boasts seven cliff-side holes dropping 300 feet to the Chavón River below, the replica Mediterranean village of Altos de Chavón, the eastern mountain range (Cordillera Oriental) and amazing views.
La Romana Country Club
Casa de Campo Resort, La Romana Open since 1990, Holes: 27; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,661 La Romana Country Designer: Pete Dye Club was originally exclusively available only to the Casa de Campo resort’s Villa owners; however it is now also open to visitors. The course was expanded in 2009 with nine additional holes including the 8th, with a view of the sea from its new gazebo.
Cayos Siete Hermanos
Cayo Arena (Paraíso)
Montecristi
Los Mangos (9) Luperón Gregorio Luperón (POP)
Bahía de Manzanillo
Costambar Puerto Plata
Sosúa Cabarete Playa Dorada (18)
Playa Grande (18) Cabrera
Río San Juan Santiago
Cibao (STI) Las Aromas (18)
San José de las Matas
Haiti
Pico Duarte
La Vega Jarabacoa
Nagua El Portillo Las Terrenas San Francisco De Macorís El Catey (AZS) Samaná Arroyo Barril Bahía de Samaná
Jarabacoa (9)
Constanza
Atlantic Ocean Cayo Levantado
Bonao Bonao (9)
Miches Monte Plata Hato Mayor La Isabela (JBQ)
Santo Domingo Country Club (27)
Lago Enriquillo Azua Laguna Rincón de Cabral
San Cristóbal
Isabel Villas (9) Las Lagunas (18) Guavaberry (18)
SANTO Juan Boca DOMINGO Las Américas Chica Dolio (SDQ)
Barahona
Salinas
María Montez (BRX) Pedernales
Baní
El Seibo
La Romana Casa de San Pedro Campo de Macorís (LRM) La Romana
Los Marlins (18)
Higüey
Isla Catalina
Cana Bay Palace (18) Punta Blanca (18) Iberostate Bávaro (18) Cocotal (27) Barceló Golf de Bávaro (18) Catalonia Cabeza de Toro (9) Catalonia Caribe (9)
Punta Cana (PUJ) Punta Cana Corales (18) La Cana (18) Boca Cap Cana de Yuma Punta Espada (18)
Bayahibe
Teeth of the Dog (18) The Links (18) Isla Saona Dye Fore (27) La Romana Country Club (27)
Cabo Rojo Oviedo Laguna de Oviedo
Caribbean Sea KEY
Isla Beata
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Golf Course (# holes)
Domestic Airport
City and Town
Cruise Port
BeachesInterest
Marina
International Airport
Highest Peak
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Dominican Republic
South Region: Santo Domingo, Juan Dolio Home to the capital city of Santo Domingo, the South Coast offers golfers rounds of world-class courses within a thriving metropolis that overflows with vivacious culture. The beach town of Juan Dolio is only 30 minutes from Santo Domingo Airport and a bit further from the city itself and is now less than an hour’s drive from Casa de Campo. Las Lagunas Golf Course
Santo Domingo Located 25 minutes from Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,726 Sa nto D omingo, L as Designer: Pete Dye and Jack Corrie Lagunas Country Club was built in 1989 but remains a well-kept secret which golfers will find a joy to discover. The course is spread over hilly terrain with many lakes amid lush vegetation providing a great challenge, including long water carries and some terrific par 3s.
Metro Country Club (Los Marlins Golf Course) Juan Dolio Located about 25 minutes Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,396 east of Santo Domingo’s Designer: Charles F. Ankrom airpor t, at the Metro Country Club, the wellmaintained Los Marlins Golf Course features numerous artistic bunkers, lakes and mounds. Golfers can take advantage of the private Beach Club just five minutes’ drive away or relax in the clubhouse after their round. Guavaberry Golf & Country Club Juan Dolio This Gary Player design is located 30 minutes east of Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,156 Santo Domingo’s airport Designer: Gary Player near the resort town of Juan Dolio and borders a tropical forest and nature preserve. Opened in 2002, Player included some unique features into the design, such as a 15-foot waterfall cascading into a quarry pond (on the par-3 13th signature hole, where two separate greens are rotated daily), and indigenous coral rock formations on holes 9 and 18.
For more information on the Dominican Republic, visit www.godominicanrepublic.com or email info@godominicanrepublic.com Adapted from copy supplied by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
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Dominican Republic
North Region: Puerto Plata, Rio San Juan The North Coast beckons not only with sunshine, eco-adventures and miles of water-sport-beaches, but also two Robert Trent Jones Sr masterpieces – Playa Dorada Golf Club and Playa Grande Golf Course. The forest-clad hills provide a stunning backdrop for Puerto Plata’s collection of all-inclusive resorts. While not golfing, visitors will find plenty of cultural influences including the rhythms of spicy merengue, prehistoric amber, exotic waterfalls and more. Playa Dorada Golf Club
Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata Opened in 1976, this beautiful Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 6,765 c re ati o n by l e g e n d a r y Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr architect Robert Trent Jones Sr is located in the popular Playa Dorada resort complex in Puerto Plata, providing easy accessibility and numerous accommodation and package options. The relatively-flat course is known for its outstanding conditioning and exceptional greens.
Playa Grande, Rio San Juan Playa Grande Golf Course, Holes: 18; Par: 72; Yardage: 7,090 which opened in 1997, is Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr the last golf course Trent Jones Sr designed. Fittingly, it’s also considered among his best. The course is cut into the cliffs overlooking the ocean and 10 of the somewhat-hilly layout’s holes play along the Atlantic Ocean’s cliffs, hence why it is often referred to as the “Pebble Beach of the Caribbean”. The course is currently under redevelopment together with a luxury 30 villa hotel by the Aman Group and only nine holes will be in play until the redesigned 18 and hotel open, scheduled for late 2015. Playa Grande Golf Course
Playa Grande Golf Course
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