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DOMINICAN
REP
Casa
de camp : the bite of the "Teeth of Dog"
Ranked among the finest golf
resort in the world, the proud of Casa de Campo was born when
the course with ferocious "teeth of the dog"
opened in 1971. Two years before, Peter Dye, the well-known
golf course architect was charged with transforming a wild
coastline into an 18-hole course. It took two years to clear
the site, lay down a new soil - a Peter Dye's original combination
of sand, dirt and cachaza (organic residue from the sugar
process) - and seed it with Bermuda grass for the greens and
the fairways.
Nowadays many of those who
take fun playing the seven waterholes along the seashore of
"Teeth of the dog" don't have an idea of what it
was before Peter's arrival. Talking with Peter remains humble:
"I created eleven holes and God created seven".
Playing the "Teeth of
the Dog" is fun. Even if it can be frustrating with errant
shots bouncing off the rocks, strong Caribbean breezes challenging
the strokes, waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, pot or
elevated bunkers and two holes requiring to drive across the
resort's airport.
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But
in counterpart, the combination of a preserved nature, the
jagged coral reef, the blue Caribbean sea and the golf course
is a real enchantment.
The second course, called "The Links",
is an inland one and, according to Golf Magazine, it would
be the finest course in Caribbean if it where not for its
older brother with the big teeth.
"The Links"
has some spectacular viewpoints on the Caribbean coast and
sea especially from the top of hole #4. Dye wanted to call
it "La Barranca" (the little hill) and for some
golfers, "The Links" is equally challenging as the
"Teeth" because it offers an undulating layout reminiscent
of traditional Scottish courses with small greens and several
lagoons. Water is in fact coming into play on five holes on
the back nine.
The third course
is private and reserved to the permanent residents and their
invitees. But a new course is under construction and is planed
to open at the end of the year 2000. It is going to take place
on the hills in between the resort's centre and the village
of Altos de Chavon, dominating the resort and the sea shore
managing new spectacular views for the greatest fun of golf
players.
Golf clinics
and individual lessons can be provided by a team of professional
to improve the play of golfer at any level, beginner, intermediate
or advanced and one hundred and twenty-five caddies are available
at a minimal charge.
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Dreamland
Green green and blue sea
What a hole !
At the #9, plane have priority
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