There are a handful of golf courses in the world of enormous quality and beauty that have the added attraction of being located in paradisiacal places. One of them is Punta Espada Golf Club, in the Dominican Republic, specifically in the Cap Cana macro-urbanization, just fifteen minutes from the international airport.
Opened in 2006, this par 72 of 6,762 meters bathed by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean was designed by Jack Nicklaus, who incorporated the natural attributes of the area in its topography: the bluffs, the beach, the water channels and the lush vegetation.
“The terrain of Cap Cana represented a challenge in the design of Punta Espada, and inspired us to create the ideal setting for an exceptional golf course. for those who are passionate about this sport. It enjoys a privileged natural environment with all 18 holes overlooking the Caribbean Sea, making it an irresistible course for golfers,” said Nicklaus during the inauguration of the course.
Efren Garcia-Estrada, director of Punta Estada Golf Club, tells how the legendary player conceived the commission. “When Nicklaus was contracted for three Signature layouts at Cap Cana, he was given the location of the first of them to make Punta Espada a reality, and like a good artist he chose the best canvas for his work of art, approximately two kilometers of spectacular coastline that provide the perfect contrast in varying shades of blue to the luminous green of the Paspalum and the white and light tones of the bunkers and landscaped areas.”
With eight holes right next to the sea, it’s not easy to elucidate which ones are the most attractive, Garcia-Estrada says it’s a difficult choice because for him they’re all outstanding. “When Nicklaus, who was hired to do three Signature layouts at Cap Cana, was given the location of the first of them to make Punta Espada a reality, like a good artist he chose the best canvas for his work of art, approximately two kilometers of spectacular coastline that provide the perfect contrast in various shades of blue to the luminous green of the Paspalum and the white and light tones of the bunkers and landscaped areas.”
Hole selection
In any case, the course director opts for three. He starts with hole 2, a par 5 that he defines as “an incredible hole, both aesthetically and strategically, a very well thought-out hole that challenges you on every shot and rewards those who take risks and execute their shots.”
He then cites the 13th, a 225-meter par 3 over sea water, which is the signature hole, and also includes in the trio of the most attractive holes for him the 17th, a par 4 that he describes as spectacular. “The drive is played over water and those who are more daring will have a much shorter and easier shot than those who don’t take so many risks. It is not a long par 4 and offers a good birdie chance if you play with courage,” he says.
When it comes to highlighting the three most difficult holes at Punta Espada, its director speaks of the 13th, “beautiful as well as difficult”, the 11th, “a long par 4 with a shot to the green that requires a lot of nerve”, and the 18th, “of great difficulty, a demanding hole, long, as it is usually played against the wind and is played to a small green, well defended by the sea and two bunkers”.
And the last choice we asked him for: the most spectacular holes. “The 2nd and 3rd are spectacular; as is the 12th, a par 5 that ends in a green with 270 degrees of coastline and breathtaking views of the Caleton Beach Club, a small but exquisite beach with fine white sand.”
World-class players
Punta Espada, undoubtedly one of Nicklaus’ masterpieces, has a brilliant resume as a venue for top competitions, especially The Cap Cana Championship, a tournament of the Champions PGA TOUR Circuit, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Fred Couples was the winner of that last edition, finishing the tournament in style with a round of 62 strokes, 10 under par, a result that established the course record still in force. “Thanks to the tournament,” recalls the director of Punta Estada Golf Club, “we were able to see players like Greg Norman, Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Gary Player, Bernhard Langer and Mark O’Meara compete in the Dominican Republic.
The great Caribbean golf destination
Despite the great fame of Punta Espada and some other courses in the country, García-Estrada believes that the Dominican Republic should promote itself much more as a golf destination.
“We are a premier golf destination,” he says emphatically. “We have it all: good weather, good hotel plant and villa offerings, easy air access and, most importantly, most importantly: stunning golf courses designed by some of the best names in the industry.”
“There are four courses that stand out above the rest,” he continues, “and are among the best in the world: Punta Espada, by Jack Nicklaus, Teeth of the Dog, by Pete Dye, Corales, by Tom Fazio, and Playa Grande, by Robert Trent Jones Senior and renovated by his son Rees Jones. Of these, the first three are less than an hour’s drive away. Aside from these courses, there are a handful of other outstanding courses that offer a wonderful golf experience and would stand out in other destinations.”
“That said,” he adds, “the destination is still largely unknown and the challenge is to continue promoting it. The PGA TOUR’s Corales Championship is undoubtedly helping to spread the destination’s image and we are grateful for the effort being made to have this tournament on the island.”
Value and price
Playing in one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean has a price, expensive but not exorbitant, given the value of what is offered. Until November 18, when the low golf season ends there, the green fee is $225 (197 euros) if you tee off between 11:40 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and $295 (258 euros) if you tee off between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The latter at Punta Espada is, together with that of Dienets de Perro, with the same price, the most expensive green fee in the Dominican Republic. If you can afford it, don’t hesitate: play them!
THE BEST IN THE CARIBBEAN
Golfweek Magazine has named Punta Espada as one of the best golf courses in the world. number one course in the Caribbean and Mexico for eight consecutive years. This challenging Dominican par 72 is ranked 76th in the world in the Golf Digest rankings.
MANDATORY CADDIE
It’s not that they don’t trust the visitor’s golf skills, but in this Caribbean course the caddie is mandatory. Although playing at Punta Espada costs almost 300 dollars, that price includes the caddie, unlimited practice balls, cart, tees, water…
URBANIZATION OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Cap Cana, with its more than 12,000 hectares and 52 kilometers of roads, is one of the most important tourist macro-urbanizations in the Caribbean and around the world. It has all kinds of facilities and even has a university campus.
THE OLDEST IN AMERICA
The capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, is the oldest colonial city in the New World. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus (brother of Christopher Columbus) on August 5, 1498, it was the first European settlement in America.
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