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A favourite golfing destination of former US presidents Bill Clinton
and George H. Bush, the Dominican Republic has become one of the
hottest spots to tee-off in the Caribbean. Here, LiME introduces you to
nine of the best.
La Cana
Located at Punta Cana Resort and Club, every hole in this PB
Dye-designed championship course captures the scenery of the Caribbean
with 14 ocean view and four ocean front holes. In fact, the 18th hole
has been said to resemble the infamous 18th at Pebble Beach in
California. According to Dye, the 7th is golfer’s purgatory. Visit
www.puntacana.com
Punta Espada at Cap Cana
This was the first golf course to open at luxurious Cap Cana and is the
first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in the Dominican Republic.
World-renowned golf course management company Troon Golf runs the 7,382 yard-long 18-hole course. Visit www.capcana.com
Los Marlins
Designed by international award-winning architect Charles Ankrom and
located in Juan Dolio, the championship 18-hole course at the Metro
Country Club offers numerous sand raps, lakes and mounds for the
unsuspecting golfer. Visit www.groupmetro.com
Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo
Consistently ranked by
golf experts as one of the top 50 courses in the world, Teeth of the
Dog is located in La Romana. It features several holes designed by Pete
Dye (considered by many to be the world’s most renowned golf course
architect), seven oceanfront holes and is considered extra challenging
due to tricky sea breezes. The course opened in 1971 and recently had
its teeth sharpened and lengthened. Visit www.casadecampo.com.do
Guavaberry Golf and Country Club
This Gary Player-designed course is located 20 minutes east of Santo
Domingo’s airport near the resort town of Juan Dolio. Guavaberry opened
in 2002 and has quickly become known worldwide as a challenging course.
Visit www.guavaberrygolf.com
Dye Fore at Casa de Campo
The newest Pete Dye course to open at the Casa de Campo resort in
La Romana features a 300-foot deep river gorge, Mediterranean village,
mountains and the Caribbean Sea as backdrops. Although visually
intimidating, the course is very playable. Visit www.casadecampo.com.do
Faldo Legacy Course
The new Rocoki Golf Club opened last
autumn and promises to thrill golfers of every ability with its
challenging cliffside and ocean view holes. Troon Golf will manage this
spectacular 18-hole facility. Visit www.rocoki.com
Cocotal Golf and Country Club
Designed by six-time Spanish
champion, Jose Pepe Gancedo, this 18-hole course uses the natural
terrain of an old coconut plantation and includes serene lakes and palm
trees in its landscape. Visit www.cocotalgolf.com
Punta Blanca
With a grand opening in May 2007, the 5-star Majestic Colonial Punta
Cana Beach Resort features a casino, spa and a Nick Price-designed
18-hole golf course. Visit www.punta-blanca.com
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