[Chris Munoz]

Just a heads up to anyone who watches the golf channel.  But they have a new episode of Destination Golf-Dominican Republlic.  It will feature some of the best coures the island has to offer, Corales La Cana, Punta Espada and La Estancia.  Below is the schedule. 

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=23633&select=568&select2=14477 


Sunday
10/3/2010
12:30 - 01:00 PM    Destination Golf
Dominican Republic
Monday
10/4/2010
05:00 - 05:30 PM    Destination Golf
Dominican Republic
Tuesday
10/5/2010
01:00 - 01:30 PM    Destination Golf
Dominican Republic
Tuesday
10/5/2010
10:00 - 10:30 PM    Destination Golf
Dominican Republic

Also this week, the Big Break Dominian republic is set to appear on Wednesday night at 9pm.  the host course is Casa De Campo.

Make sure you tune in. 

Tell me what you guys think of the coures.  Just a heads up, PB Dye is featured a lot on the show.  Which was a great idea. 

[Tom_Doak]

Chris,

Are you still down there?

I got a tour of Punta Espada last week while looking at a new site we've signed up for.  Overall, I was very impressed with it ... Hole by hole it is way ahead of Cabo del Sol up until the last three.  I was amazed to see those greens so close to the water's edge and to sea level!

I will probably be back a couple more times between now and February as we work on the routing for our course. 

[Chris Munoz]

Tom, Great to hear from you, yes I am still down here.  You should have contacted me, so I could have shown you around Corales and the rest of Punta Cana Resort & Club.  Well my fourth year is coming to end and starting my second.  My email address is ccmunoz@puntacana.com.

Email me and let me know when you come down again, so we can meet up.

all the best,

[Eric Strulowitz]

Just a heads up to anyone who watches the golf channel.  But they have a new episode of Destination Golf-Dominican Republlic.  It will feature some of the best coures the island has to offer, Corales La Cana, Punta Espada and La Estancia.  Below is the schedule. 

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=23633&select=568&select2=14477 


Sunday
10/3/2010
12:30 - 01:00 PM    Destination Golf
Dominican Republic
Monday
10/4/2010

There are many great courses in the DR.

I have had the great fortune to play quite a few of them.

The prices they charge, however, are out of hand.  I don't see any of these new venues doing well. 

Guess, time will tell.  What a great golf destination it has become.  Thanks for sharing.

[Joel Zuckerman]

Chris,

What's the latest on Roko Ki?  Is it operating, and doing OK?

I visited/played there a few years ago as they were just getting started...met the supt while on the course, whose name escapes me at the moment..

[Sev K-H Keil]

Although I'm not the greatest JN fan, I have to admit that I truly enjoyed Punta Espada ---- the routing makes fantastic use of the beachfront property. Real estate around the course isn't overly visible --- also, great club house...

[Chris Munoz]

To answer all of your questions.  Here at Punta Cana, Corales is a private golf club and La Cana is a semi-private, and currently we are working on our third golf course at the resort, Hacienda, another PB Dye golf course.  Currently we are not hurting because we have the support of the airport.  Grupo PuntaCana owns and operates the international airport.  So there is our money maker. 

Roco Ki is hurting.  In my honest opinion, I do not see that golf course lasting much longer, if no one comes and in and buys it out.  Damon was the superintendent there, but has moved to Puerto Rico at Bahia Beach. 

Golf course development has slowed down a bit, but in the last 2 years Cana Bay golf course has opened up, which is a Nickalus Design course and PB Dye is currently redoing Barcleo golf course.  Great track.  I strongly recommend it.  and Pete Dye is working on DYE 5 at Casa de Campo. 

[Steve Lapper]

Having just visited down there last winter and played most everything you mentioned, I'll be very sad if Roco-Ki doesn't make it. The course is plenty fun and the finish is spectacular.

[Eric Smith]

Tom,

Congratulations on the new project. Is it there in the Punta Cana area? Part of an already existing development?  I know it's a bit off the beaten track and without a really close modern airport, but I saw a property on the north coast, near RTJ's Playa Grande that is practically begging for a world class golf course.  I hope one day you or somebody else with a great eye for design gets an opportunity to work there. It would be dreamy to play golf on that plot.

Eric

[Steve Kline]

So if one were to take a group to DR what would be the recommended play list?

[Joel Zuckerman]

So if one were to take a group to DR what would be the recommended play list?

I've visited the DR 3 times, and written about the country's golf offerings in a number of different venues.

I would suggest Teeth of the Dog and Punta Espada as the best two GC's I've played.  (The latter at Cap Cana)

The 2nd tier goes to Dye Fore at Casa de Campo, and Roko Ki.

The lower tied would include La Cana at Punta Cana, La Romana CC, The Links Course at Casa de Campo, and La Estancia, though on my last visit it only had 9 holes completed, and was still in rough shape.  I haven't visited the new Corales course at Punta Cana, though I've heard it's really something to see.

[Carl Nichols]

joel:
since casa de campo and punta cana are pretty far apart, to which (general) location would you head first?

[Anthony Gray]

  Roko KI may have the best finishing hole in golf.

   Anthony

[Chris Munoz]

Anthony, regarding Roco Ki.  after these 2 hurricanes we had here in the past month, Earl and Igor, the high waves, i do not think they have much of the 17th and 18th holes left.  My honest opinion, I think the last 2 holes at roco Ki were awful.  On 18, there was no real area for a layup shot and off tee you could hit drives on the par 5. 

Whoever wants to experience golf in the DR. I would fly into PuntaCana, play Corales, Punta Espapa (CapCana), La Cana, then head down to La Romana and play La Estancia and Teeth of the Dog, then fly out of Santo Domingo. 

[Aidan Bradley]

#17



#18

[Joel Zuckerman]

joel:
since casa de campo and punta cana are pretty far apart, to which (general) location would you head first?

I'm no expert, and others who live/work down there might have a more informed opinion.

That said, Casa de Campo is the "Grandaddy" of golf in the DR (and the Caribbean in general) and you have the 3 GC's at the resort, access to La Romana CC next door, and La Estancia just 10--15 minutes away.

On the other had, the Punta Cana area (about 90 minutes from Casa de Campo as I recall)  Has the excellent Punta Espada, the OK La Cana, Corales, which is supposedly really good, and Roko Ki, maybe 40 minutes away.

So--You have 5 golf options at Casa de Campo, including two really good ones (Teeth and Dye Fore) and four options at Punta Cana, with 3 great choices in Punta Espada at Cap Cana, Roko Ki and the new Corales course at Punta Cana.  But--who knows how long Roko Ki will stay open?

[JR Potts]

How is the Iberostar Bavaro?

[Chris Munoz]

Iberostar Bavaro, is a recent design by PB Dye.  Good lay out, but no ocean holes.  Big clubhouse....  Green are somewhat flat..  Overall good track. 

[George Pazin]

Kind of a bummer they didn't make it to Casa de Campo.

Lauren is real purrrty. So is the DR.

[Greg Tallman]

If follwoing the reccomended itinerary add a day in Santo Domingo and try to play Cayacoa CC. A little rough around the edges but a fun layout.

[Steve Lapper]

Anthony, regarding Roco Ki.  after these 2 hurricanes we had here in the past month, Earl and Igor, the high waves, i do not think they have much of the 17th and 18th holes left.  My honest opinion, I think the last 2 holes at roco Ki were awful.  On 18, there was no real area for a layup shot and off tee you could hit drives on the par 5. 

Whoever wants to experience golf in the DR. I would fly into PuntaCana, play Corales, Punta Espapa (CapCana), La Cana, then head down to La Romana and play La Estancia and Teeth of the Dog, then fly out of Santo Domingo. 

Chris, Have you been out to Roco-Ki post storm? I'd hate to see this site contribute to the (perception v. reality) demise of what is clearly an enjoyable course for many of us.

I do respectfully disagree with you about the finish at Roco-Ki. As you can see from Aiden's pix, they are spectacular ocean-side holes and having played it twice, found no problem making for lay-up shots....as always, it is a question of picking the correct tee box for your abilities.

On a partially unrelated note, I'd question the price value of Corales. My wife and I played 12 rounds last winter in the area and only played Corales once. While it certainly is a good course, it remains slightly inferior to Puenta Espada, yet priced 40-50% more!

[Chris Munoz]

Steve, first off the price that is set at Corales is for a reason.  Access to Corales  is exclusive to Corales residents and a limited number of other members and guests of Tortuga Bay and PUNTACANA Hotel.  Here at Corales we just have 24 golf carts.  On the other hand, Cap Cana is in need for players and money, and have dropped there rates in half.  They need play and people. 

Regarding Roco Ki, I am just stating the reality.  it is hurting.  I am glad you like the course, but I know for a fact, played it numerous times, the course has no flow.  It is not meant for the typical resort golf here in the DR.  The last 2 holes are great for photos, but play a whole lot differently. 

[Tom_Doak]

Chris,

Surely those two holes at Roco Ki weren't any lower to the water than Punta Espada or Corales, were they?  How did your place hold up?

I do agree with Steve, though, if I were you I wouldn't spread rumors about the neighbors, even if they are true.

[Greg Tallman]

Chris,

Are you still down there?

I got a tour of Punta Espada last week while looking at a new site we've signed up for.  Overall, I was very impressed with it ... Hole by hole it is way ahead of Cabo del Sol up until the last three.  I was amazed to see those greens so close to the water's edge and to sea level!

I will probably be back a couple more times between now and February as we work on the routing for our course. 

Interesting commentary. How much elevation change at Punta Espada?

[Jim Nugent]

Chris, what course is pictured in your avatar? 

Also, does 18 at Roko Ki play anything like 18 at Pebble? 

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