Excelencias from the Caribbean & the Americas

The Golf Paradise

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IS RECOGNIZED AS THE GOLF UNDISPUTED LEADER IN THE CARIBBEAN AS MOST OF ITS 30+ GOLF COURSES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED WITH A UNIQUE SIGNATURE

- BY MARIANELA MARTIN PHOTO EXCELENCIA­S ARCHIVE

Casa de Campo —a travel destinatio­n par excellence to practice golf in America and the Caribbean— has iconic golf courses like the magnificen­t Teeth of the Dog, Los Links and Dye Fore

The Dominican Republic wanted to have the most amazing golf courses in the Caribbean. Consequent­ly, the authoritie­s turned to the most renowned golf course designers of the world who outstood by such an overwhelmi­ng imaginatio­n that led them to conceive a set of unbelievab­le and fancy holes and, simultaneo­usly, highlight the uniqueness of each park or greens at hand. Therefore, every assignment resulted in a phenomenal project. Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, and Greg Norman are some of the celebritie­s who answered the call.

90-plus-year-old Pete Dye and his main collaborat­or, his beloved wife Alice (91, passed away last February), became designers dear to fans of this precision sport. The Dominican Republic is grateful and thanks to the couple, Casa de Campo —tourist destinatio­n par excellence to practice golf in America and the Caribbean— has iconic golf courses like the magnificen­t Teeth of the Dog —the masterpiec­e—, Los Links, and Dye Fore, located in the Altos de Chavon cliffs.

Another renowned designer who left a legacy in the beautiful island is Robert Trent Jones Sr., responsibl­e for not only the Bella Vista Golf Club, but also two other jewels: Playa Dorada Golf Course and Playa Grande Golf Course. The first of them boasts five holes with splendid ocean views (one of them to the Atlantic Ocean). The second golf course has ten holes that are played bordering the ocean amid a mountain area full of charm.

The breeze sometimes does its thing. But it does not stop some golf courses in the Dominican Republic from being included in the top-50 courses, according to the Golf Week magazine. One example is Punta Espada Golf Course, designed by artist Jack Nicklaus —aka Golden Bear— in 2006, which was regarded as the best of all between 2009 and 2016.

Punta Espada Golf Club was Golden Bear's debut in the Dominican Republic. Regarded as a true masterpiec­e, he is truly proud of his incredibly hole-17, with par-4 course, which according to experts, needs a drive over the bay. Here Nicklaus made the game strategy might be conceived among beaches, lagoons, and tropical foliage.

Corales Golf Course —designed by Tom Fazio— is also highly praised. PGA World Tour 2018 was held here. Besides, the elite group is also made up of Jarabacoa Golf Club, Santo Domingo Country Club, Hard Rock Golf Club, and Guavaberry Golf and Country Club. From La Romana to Punta Cana, Juan Dolio and Puerto Plata, Dominican golf courses are really impressive favored by a wonderful weather that allows these wonders may be enjoyed all season long.

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