Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is synonymous with quality and good taste. This resort was the first golf destination in the Dominican Republic. Thanks to Pete Dye and the construction of Teeth of The Dog and The Links, the commercialization of the courses began to attract golf tourists. Over time, there was more demand for restaurants and lodging, so the construction of villas began.
In the rest of the country, commercial golf courses began to be built and thus became a golf destination. Casa de Campo is the first resort that started its activity in the Dominican Republic and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Mónica Díaz Vecino, Casa de Campo’s European Sales Director, talks about the acclaimed Caribbean resort in this interview.
-Casa de Campo has three different tours open to visitors and one private tour not open to the public. Could you briefly describe each of them?
-There are 3 courses and 63 holes to have fun, since they are 3 completely different courses. Teeth of The Dog, undoubtedly sublime with holes overlooking the Caribbean Sea, is world famous for its spectacular design along the coast. Dye Fore is great, with its spectacular views of the Chavon River, mountains and the sea, and offers unique challenges with its high slopes and long distances. Finally, The Links course is quiet but dangerous, with tricky greens, and brings added diversity with its style reminiscent of traditional British courses.
-The vacation experience at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is as complete as you can dream of. Besides golf, what else can you find here?
-Casa de Campo is a golfer’s paradise, but what makes it unique is its complementary offerings to golf. Of course, if you are a golfer, it is the icing on the cake. But if you are sporty, you can also enjoy paddle, tennis and pickleball courts. There is horseback riding throughout the resort, hiking and jogging areas on the golf courses. Water activities such as paddle surfing and canoeing, clay pigeon shooting, small game hunting and scuba diving are also available, and deep sea fishing is available. If you’re not so sporty, there’s a state-of-the-art spa to enjoy after a day of relaxation on the beach or at the Beach Club.
What makes the Teeth of the Dog course unique – its design, its location by the Caribbean, its mythical holes?
-I think everyone has a different experience and feeling. Of course, it’s a stunningly beautiful course with a unique design, and the holes by the Caribbean Sea are very special. For me, the highlight is the history behind being a commercial course. A course that has been built on the rocks, in a landscape that was completely desert. Surely like many courses, but the development it has brought and that it is a leader in the world makes it very special. Years ago, from the Lago Restaurant you could see the 10th hole, which is now full of trees. For me, the best time to play is in the afternoon when the sun falls over the sea; it really is very special golf. There are fewer people, which really adds value to the game. You have a beer in the clubhouse after the 18 holes and end the day very happy.
-After 50 years Pete Dye’s exceptional design may need some tweaking or fine tuning. It will be closed to do this in 2025. What is going to be done to keep this course shining as one of the best in the world?
-The goal of this comprehensive renovation is not only to refine its aesthetic appeal, but also to enhance the playing experience at all levels to be an excellent course. It will be like rejuvenating the course. Teeth of the Dog’s enhancements focus on strategic improvements in keeping with Dye’s original vision, while including state-of-the-art agronomic advancements. The introduction of Paspalum Pure Dynasty on tees, fairways and greens will provide unparalleled salt water tolerance and resistance, ensuring excellent playing areas all year round, whatever the weather.
-What improvements, in general, have been made in Casa de Campo during the last few years?
-In 2019 all the CASITA rooms were renovated, which were the old LODGE rooms decorated by Oscar de la Renta, which had become obsolete and outdated. They have been upgrading and redecorating the ELITE rooms. A new SPA has been opened and paddle and pickleball courts have been built. The new PREMIER rooms and practice court at Dye Fore have also been introduced and The Lakes course has been renovated and upgraded. In 2021, the new Convention Center and Minitas Beach Club opened in 2018. The beach pools and children’s area are also highlights.
What can Casa de Campo offer golf enthusiasts for an exceptional experience? All-inclusive hotel and golf packages, villa packages, ideal for groups ….?
-Casa de Campo can offer a variety of packages for golf enthusiasts looking for a unique experience and a special trip. We offer packages that include hotel accommodations and golf, customizing your stay according to your preferences and interests, guaranteeing a truly unique experience.
The Dye Fore course, with 27 holes, located in Altos del Chavón, designed by the legendary architect Pete Dye, is also positioning itself as one of the great courses in the Caribbean…
-It is Pete Dye’s second jewel in the Dominican Republic. It is a majestic course, complicated and good for big hitters because it is a very long layout. People rediscover it and many of our clients repeat it more than the Teeth of the Dog course; once they get to know it, they come back again.
IN FIRST PERSON
With a background in hotel management and a long dedication to the marketing of hotels and golf courses of recognized national and international prestige, Monica has led in its operational and commercial area the promotion and development of large projects, managing to create exclusive contacts and productivity and pro-activity for the proper development and evolution of the business. Founder of Global Hemisphere, a company dedicated to the commercialization of golf courses and resorts, her trajectory includes her participation in large operations of opening, start-up and development of new hotel establishments and golf courses, and the pure and simple commercialization of golf tourism companies in new destinations.
With a degree in Tourism and International Marketing from the University of Deusto, she has helped numerous companies in the sector to increase their sales and visibility in markets that they did not reach before. Her areas of expertise are the marketing of tourism companies in the golf tourism segment and the marketing tools to which she applies ideas to generate sales. Director of Sales in Europe for Casa de Campo since 2014, Monica was the person who started marketing the renowned Dominican resort in Europe. Formerly it was known, but only in the last few years she has strengthened its direct marketing through agencies, golf courses
, events and tournaments to publicize the resort through its representative agency Global Hemisphere.
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