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 [1], 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 [2]. 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.