All one has to do is check the guest list to find out how big
golf has become in the Dominican
Republic.
Before Casa
de Campo's brand-new Dye Fore layout opened on a limited basis
this spring three former U.S. Presidents had already hit golf balls
on its wide Paspalum fairways -- the elder George Bush, Bill Clinton
and Jimmy Carter.
 Dominican
Republic
The Dominican
Republic has no shortage of quality golf options, with new courses
by Gary
Player, P.B.
Dye and Pete
Dye, and a Jack Nicklaus trio under construction. Pete Dye's
new Dye
Fore is a stunning addition to his three other courses at Casa
de Campo, which include Teeth
of the Dog, rated 35th in the world by Golf Magazine.
Pete's son P.B.
Dye has a dramatic new layout at Punta
Cana and another under construction. Gary Player's cleverly
crafted Guava
berry is also drawing golfers to the Dominican Republic, the
Caribbean's
hottest new destination.
Golf Courses at a Glance
- Casa de Campo
Ph: 800-877-3643
The buzz is all about Pete Dye's fourth and newest course at this
outstanding, multi-faceted resort. Opened April 21, 2003, Dye
Fore joins the Teeth of Dog (ranked 35th in the world), the Links
Course, and the private La Romano Country Club. Dye Fore has nine
dramatic clifftop holes; Teeth of the Dog has seven spectacular
oceanside holes.
- Guavaberry
Country Club
Ph: 800 847 0291
Located at the Coral Resort, this Gary Player-designed track is one
of the region's newest and most challenging.
- Punta
Cana Resort and Golf Club
Ph: 888 442 2262
A P.B. Dye creation that is home to more than its fair share of
pot bunkers and spectacular ocean views.
FAQ
1. What and where is the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is located between the Caribbean Sea and
the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti. It has over 1,200 kilometers
of coastline, while the rest of the country borders Haiti. It is
slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire. Santo Domingo
is the capital.
2. Do I need any special documents once I get there?
Citizens from the majority of the countries worldwide may travel
to the Dominican with a valid passport. They will also need to purchase
a tourist card. It costs US$10 and can be purchased along with your
plane ticket, at Dominican consulates as well as upon your arrival.
3. Will I suffer from any jet lag?
Well, that of course depends where in the world you are traveling from,
but the Dominican Republic is west of the Greenwich Meridian and three
hours ahead of America's east coast.
4. What type of weather should I expect?
The average annual temperature in the Dominican fluctuates between
65 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two rainy seasons, one in
the fall and the other in late spring. The northern and eastern
regions receive the most of the precipitation.
5. What is the official language and currency?
The official language is Spanish while the official currency is
the Dominican Republic Peso.
6. Besides golf, what are some worthwhile activities?
The Dominican Republic, with all of its natural splendor, is also
well known for its cultural arts. The Teatro Nacional is a modern
theatre in Santo Domingo, and a great place to take in a performance
if the timing works out. There are also many art galleries, craft
shows and live music to keep you busy when no scaling the links
or enjoying the plentiful sunshine.
Transportation Information
The easiest cities to find flights to Santo Domingo from the United
States are New
York, Newark, Philadelphia and Miami. Popular carriers making
daily departures and arrivals include American, Trans World, USAir,
American Eagle and Continental. A popular way to get to other parts
of the country is through San Juan, Puerto
Rico.
Once on the ground, you'll find many of the car rental agencies that
you are familiar with: Alamo, Hertz and Budget.
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