Manzanillo, a port located in the northeast of the Dominican Republic, and Montellano, a sugar refinery located in the south, were witnesses, among other areas, to the first golfing challenges in the country. U.S. company executives placed in various Dominican economic enclaves brought a passion for the sport to the country in the first decades of the 20th century.

The sport soon won over the youth that came into contact with the small greens constructed to stave off the boredom of executives that had few options for amusement in a country that barely appeared on the economic map of the Caribbean.

Santo Domingo

In Santo Domingo, a private club, the Santo Domingo Country Club, almost single-handedly began the practice of the sport that throughout decades had been limited to an economic elite that saw the discipline as a motive for meeting and relaxation, while serving as a vehicle for integration with Caribbean neighbors that competed in periodical tournaments.

La Romana

The construction of Casa de Campo, resort located in the province of La Romana, at the beginning of the 70s, began an enhanced stage of the sport through the development of the tourist industry in the immense resort. Two greens designed by Pete Dye in the hotel resort put the country on an exclusive global list. The “Diente de Perro” became, and still is, one of the top 20 golf greens in the world.

Puerto Plata

On the northern coast of the country, two other greens, constructed with public monies, offer quality and quantity at a reduced price. In Puerto Plata, next to the Playa Dorada resort, operations for a green with the same name have begun, constructed by the lauded Robert Trent Jones. And a few kilometers away, in Río San Juan, 18 holes were constructed; and the Playa Grande green has 10 holes at the seashore.

Designers – Pete Dye, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, among others

However, it was not until the 90s that golf tourism exploded. From Juan Dolio and La Romana, passing Bayahibe, Bávaro and Punta Cana, to Samaná, the construction of golf greens continues without pause.

Other designers of great prestige arrive to the country to create greens of impressive design. Among them, Gary Player, with his company Gary Player Design, designed and constructed Guayaberry Golf & Country Club, in Juan Dolio. Next, Jack Nicklaus invested in the country through his ambitious project Cap Cana, on the eastern coast of the country, where he constructed Golden Bear Lodge and built three impressive golf courses.

The famous golfer and course designer, Nick Faldo, also constructed the golf course of the Roco Ki resort in Punta Macao, on the eastern coast of the country, with the goal of finishing it in winter 2006. It already promises an exceptional course for the Caribbean region.

Currently, only in the area that borders La Romana, Bayahibe and Punta Cana, Bávaro and Macao, there are 13 golf courses in operation. The majority of the new courses have been constructed as a part of large projects, including the construction of villas.

Punta Cana

In Punta Cana, the resort of the same name features the famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and the well-known Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta, and, as icing on the cake of this already developed resort, an accredited golf course.

Local Federation – Federación Dominicana de Golf

A local federation, the Federación Dominicana de Golf, allows local aficionados to keep up their golf with reputable tournaments that follow international regulations. Affiliation to this institution guarantees benefits for golf lovers and has contributed to making the sport less and less elitist.

For more information: Dominican Golf Federation – FEDOGOLF

 

GOLF COURSES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

METROPOLITAN AREA

Santo Domingo Golf Club
Year Opened: 1920
Field Type: Private
Holes: 18 Holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda and Japonise
Designer: Robert Trent Jones
Professional golfer: John Borrell
Address: Isabel Aguiar, Zona Industrial de Herrera
Tel: (809) 809-530-6606
Fax: (809) 274-4750
Web Site: www.santodomingocc.com

Campo Nacional de Golf Las Lagunas
Year Opened: Año 1989
Field Type: Semi Private
Holes: 18 holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda and Japonise
Designer: Jack Corrie
Director: Ubaldo Olivares
Address: Autopista Duarte Km. 20,
Tel: (809) 372-7441
Fax: (809) 372-7446
Web Site: www.laslagunas.com.do

Isabel Villas Golf and Country Club

Naco Golf & Country Club, Boca Chica, Distrito Federal

 

EAST ZONE

Barcelo Bávaro Golf Course

Catalonia Golf Course

Cocotal Golf & Country Club – Punta Cana/Bavaro
Year Opened: 2000
Holes: 27 Holes
• Hibiscus (9 Holes)
• Boungavillea (9 Holes)
• Benjamina ( 9 Holes)
Grass type: Bermuda
Designer: José “Pepe” Gancedo
Director: Samuel Bello
Address: Bávaro
Tel: (809) 687-4653 / 221-1290 ext. 2000
Fax: (809) 688-6639
Web Site: www.solmelia.com

Diente de Perro Golf Course, Casa de Campo
Holes: 18 Holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda ( Fairways) Paspalum (Green and Tee)
Designer: Pete Dye
Director: Gilles Gagnon
Address: Casa de Campo, La Romana
Tel: (809) 523-3333 Ext. 2480
Web Site: www.casadecampo.com.do

Dye Fore Golf Course, Casa de Campo
Holes: 18 Holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Paspalum (Fairways) Tiefeagle (Green and Tee)
Designer: Pete Dye
Director: Gilles Gagnon
Address: Casa de Campo, La Romana
Tel: (809) 523-3333 Ext. 2480
Web Site: www.casadecampo.com.do

Guavaberry Golf and Country Club, Juan Dolio, San Pedro de Macorís
Year Opened: 2002
Field type: Resort
Holes: 18 holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda 419
Designer: Gary Player
Director: Ricardo Orellana
Address: Autovía del Este, Km. 55, Juan Dolio
Tel: (809) 333-4653 Ext. 2478
Fax: (809) 333-3030
Web Site: www.guavaberrygolf.com

Los Marlins, Metro Country Club
Year Opened: 1992
Field Type: Resort
Holes: 18 holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda and Zoysia
Designer: Charles Amkrom
Director: Hernán Perlite
Address: Boulevard, Juan Dolio, Rep. Dom.
Tel: (809) 685-7949
Fax: (809) 526-1304
Web Site: www.groupmetro.com

La Romana Country Club
La Estancia Golf and Resort
Year Opened: 2006
Field type: Public
Holes: 18 Holes
Par: 72 strokes
Designer: P.B. Dye
Director: Omar Méndez
Address: La Romana
Tel: (809) 723-6360
Fax: (809) 556-5411

La Cana Golf Club, Punta Cana

Punta Blanca Golf Club

Punta Espada Golf Course, Cap Cana
Year Opened: 2006
Holes: 18 Holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Paspalum
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Director: Mark Clouse
Address: Punta Cana
Tel: (809) 688-5587 ext. 3117
Fax: (809) 688-6639 ext.3170
Web Site: www.capcana.com

Roco Ki Golf Course

The Links Golf Course, Casa de Campo

White sands Golf Club

 

NORTH ZONE

Bella Vista, Bonao Golf Club

Costa Azul Golf – Puerto Plata

Jarabacoa Golf Club
Year Opened: 1976
Field type: Public
Holes: 9 Holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda and Japonisa
Designer: Luis De Pool
Director: Tazo Payano
Address: Piedra Blanca, Jarabacoa
Tel: (809) 782-9883
Fax: (809) 573-6663

Las Aromas, Santiago Golf Club

Los Mangos Golf Course, Puerto Plata

Playa Dorada Golf Club
Year Opened: 1978
Field Type: Championship, Public
Holes: 18 holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda and Zoysia
Designer: Robert Trend Jones Sr.
Address: Playa Dorada Complex, Puerto Plata
Tel: (809) 320-3472
Fax: (809) 320-2773
Web Site: www.casadecampo.com.do

Playa Grande Golf Course
Year Opened: 1997
Field Type: Public
Holes: 18 holes
Par: 72 strokes
Grass type: Bermuda
Designer: Robert Trend Jones Sr.
Director: Rolando Fernández
Address: Playa Grande Km9, Autopista Rio San Juan, Cabrera
Tel: (809) 582-0860
Fax: (809) 582-3342
Web Site: www.pgresorts.com