Only at Casa de Campo can you play 63 fairways by the legendary Pete Dye
Put two Dominicans together and you’ve got a party. Add some meringue music and rum and you’ve got a fiesta. No wonder the Dominican Republic (nicknamed the DR) is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations for Canadians. With an average annual temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, it’s always summertime in the DR. And, if chasing a dimpled white ball is a prerequisite to your vacation, Casa de Campo delivers stellar golf, plus the kind of five-star service and amenities you’d expect from a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Beware of The Dog
Teeth of the Dog
Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo, designed by Golf Hall of Famer Pete Dye, opened in 1971 and still reigns supreme not only as the top Dog in the Caribbean, but also as one of the elite top fifty among the approximate 32,000 courses on the planet.
The likes of Woody Allen, George Bush and Sting have been known to take a swing here. Dye, who transformed a jagged coral reef into a masterpiece, is quick to point out that while he created eleven holes, “the Man upstairs created seven.” Those heavenly seven border so close to the sea that you almost get your feet wet while teeing off.
Numbers six and sixteen are officially named the signature holes but there are plenty more contenders.
The sixth is a long par-four right to left hole that usually has some wind assistance, especially on the second shot. The tee shot presents the usual risk/reward. Hug the left side over the ocean and you’re rewarded with a shorter second shot. Play safe to the right where there is ample room and you might be too far away to reach the green in two. Worse, you’ll have to hit your long second off a side-hill lie. The temptation is to use the coral retaining wall, over the forward tees, as your target line, but it is a huge carry; a neat piece of Dye deception. A line over the bunker to the right of the wall is much better, and the slope of the fairway will kick the ball left too.
Teeth of the Dog
The final Oceanside par-three 16th is probably the most penal. It generally plays into the wind and is relatively long. The trees around the green also cause the wind to swirl, making club selection even more difficult. The front left pin position is the easiest, and plays to the small bail out area. A pin on the right side of the green over the coral rock wall looks reasonably impossible when you’re standing on the tee with a long iron or fairway wood in your hands. For that pin position, a shot to the middle of the green, like the 12th at Augusta, is recommended.
Number five, the shortest par-three on the course, plays alongside the ocean. Your tee shot must carry the water all the way to the green, which is surrounded by a small strip of sand and rocks to keep the waves at bay. Bring out your camera.
Back in 1971 the area around Casa de Campo was undeveloped and golf was in its pioneer stage. Pete Dye and his crew of 300 built the Teeth of the Dog course entirely by hand using hand tools and plenty of elbow grease to carve the tract out of rugged coral rock. While pick axing their way through the unforgiving terrain the Spanish-speaking workers started to refer to the parcel of land as dientes del perro meaning “Teeth of the Dog.” Pete Dye liked the name and it stuck. Coincidentally, the jagged seaside holes on the front nine also resemble the open jaw of a giant canine.
Dye’s dogged (pardon the pun) determination was to put the Dominican Republic on the map as a premiere golf destination. Mission accomplished! Even though Dye has received numerous kudos for his courses throughout the world, Gilles Gagnon, the Quebec-born director of golf at Casa de Campo and longtime friend of Mr. Dye and Alice, his partner in life and design, confirms that Teeth is still Dye’s “baby.” Over the years, Dye returns to fine-tune his masterpiece, including a recent renovation that added about 500 yards to extend the Teeth’s bite to 7714 yards from the tips. Mr. Dye was on site and suggesting more design tweaks during my last visit in December 2011.
If you’ve come to the DR to golf your socks off, you’ve come to the right resort. Casa de Campo offers a grand total of 63 holes by the same designer. The Links, an undulating interior course reminiscent of the traditional British and Scottish layouts, features small greens and lots of lagoons. Its greens were recently remodeled and planted with Paspalum grass. If your game is a bit rusty, this is where to work out the kinks. Or if a swing doctor is required, take some lessons at the Jim McLean Golf School.
Dye Fore! the resort’s newest 27-hole giant, set 500 feet above the Chevon River, might just rival the Teeth. Dye Fore! is big. Think wide fairways, huge greens and whopper bunkers. Seven holes plummet 300 feet down to the Chavon River. Warning: not for those with fear of heights.
Dye Fore Lago course
Casa de Campo has been voted the “World’s Leading Golf Resort” at the World Travel Awards for five consecutive years. The property offers so many attractions and activities it should have its own zip code. Indeed, guests are given their own golf carts to travel from place to place. Après golf activities include polo, sailing at the marina and yacht club, horseback riding, tennis, and sports shooting. Swim at a secluded beach or in one of many pools. De-stress at the Cygalle Healing Spa. Go artsy at the unique Altos de Chevon art colony, modeled after a 16th century Mediterranean village with coral block and terra cotta buildings complete with towers and turrets. Follow the winding mosaic cobbled paths to the 5,000-seat Roman-style amphitheatre. Then visit the archaeological museum, art gallery, boutiques and the Church of St. Stanislaus, a popular venue for weddings.
The dining options at the resort are plentiful and outstanding. Casa de Campo recently invested $12 million in its central kitchen, installing state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that all meat, eggs, poultry and produce are handled and stored according to the strictest hygienic standards.
For super sushi, head to Chinos in the Marina. Or, try the snapper cooked in a sea salt crust and then flambéed at the Marina’s La Casita restaurant. My favourite Casa de Campo dining spot is The Beach Club by Le Cirque. Try for a table on the patio and dine via candlelit under a sea grape tree while the waves provide background music.
I know that many folks flock to the DR for its all-inclusives, but for those of us who prefer an exclusive and personalized five-star experience with golf to match, Casa de Campo awaits.
When you Go
West Jet, Air Canada, Air Transat and Sun Wing fly directly to La Romana, about five minutes from Casa de Campo. Note that service to the airport from Canada is seasonal, and runs from November to April.
