Golf

People travel from all over the world to golf on the Pete Dye–designed Teeth of the Dog course (Casa de Campo, tel. 809/523-8115, fax 809/523-8800, www.casadecampo.com.do, t.times [at] ccampo [dot] com [dot] do, golf [at] ccampo [dot] com [dot] do, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, greens fees US$170 for hotel guests, US$225 non-hotel guests for 18 holes, caddies US$25). This 18-hole, par-72 course opened in 1971 and quickly shot up to the number one course in the Caribbean. It is currently ranked number 34 in the world by Golf magazine. Seven of the holes are along the ocean, and the terrain is challenging to even the best professionals around the globe. Reservations are highly recommended as space can sometimes be booked as far out as 12 months.

Another golf course in the Casa de Campo complex is The Links (tel. 809/523-8115, fax 809/523-8800, golf [at] ccampo [dot] com [dot] do, greens fees US$135 for hotel guests, US$150 non-hotel guests for 18 holes). It is more inland and opened in 1975. With its undulating hills, the layout resembles traditional British and Scottish courses, featuring small greens and several lagoons. Most golfers attest that it is equally as challenging as the Teeth of the Dog course. It too is an 18-hole, par-72 course. You can reserve a time 24 hours in advance.

Yet another option for golf at Casa de Campo, Dye Fore (tel. 809/523-8115, fax 809/523-8800, golf [at] ccampo [dot] com [dot] do, greens fees US$170 for hotel guests, US$225 non-hotel guests for 18 holes) is the newest of the resort’s courses. It hugs the village of Altos de Chavón. Designed by Pete Dye as well, this spectacularly beautiful 18-hole golf course has breathtaking views of the village, the Río Chavón, and the Caribbean Sea. If you stray from the fairway, however, you will be punished in this terrain. This is a challenging course.

Fishing

Casa de Campo (tel. 809/523-3333, fax 809/523-8547, www.casadecampo.com.do) offers deep-sea and freshwater-river fishing trips from its private marina. The main catch in the sea is marlin, and you have the option of half-day (US$708) or full-day (US$836) charters. These prices are per boat and include fishing rods, bait, boat captain and mate, sodas, and bottled water.

In the river, championship snooker are waiting to be hooked. The river is a good excursion for photographers, too. The very scenic Río Chavón was the backdrop for the films Apocalypse Now and Rambo. A three-hour tour (including boat, guide, bait, tackle, and refreshments) will cost US$100 per person with a three-person limit per boat.

Snorkeling and Diving

Isla Catalina is the closest spot to snorkel off the coast of La Romana. Casa de Campo’s Circe Dive Shop (tel. 809/246-3115, US$45 per person) is best equipped for snorkeling excursions. The cost includes the charter of the boat but not the rental of fins and a mask, which is US$11 per day. If you are on the all-inclusive plan at the resort, the gear fee is waived.

Isla Catalina can also be reached from the Bayahibe resorts and excursion companies.

Tennis

Casa de Campo’s tennis center, La Terraza (tel. 809/523-3333, 7 a.m.–9 p.m., US$28 per hour during the day and US$35 at night) has been called the “Wimbledon of the Caribbean” by Travel + Leisure magazine. The center begins its day at dawn sweeping the courts and marking the lines on the 13 Har–Tru clay courts. At night, 10 of the courts are equipped with lights. This is a luxury tennis club complete with ball boys, a pro shop, and a spectator’s deck. Lessons are available with a tennis pro at extra cost (US$69/hour). Rent racquets for US$10 per hour.

© Ana Chavier Caamaño from Moon Dominican Republic, 4th edition