There are beautiful courses, there are attractive courses, there are spectacular courses… and there are dazzling courses, such as Teeth of the Dog. It is practically impossible to escape the spell of playing this sensational course located in Casa de Campo, the famous Dominican resort in the municipality of La Romana, on the southeast coast of the country.
Its seven holes bathed by the Caribbean Sea -especially its three par 3’s- constitute an experience difficult to match, and the remaining eleven of the course do not detract at all from the whole. It is not in vain that this course has deservedly become the most coveted destination in the Caribbean for golfers from all over the world.
Less than three years are left for Teeth of the Dog to celebrate its golden anniversary. In 1971, the masterpiece of one of the most famous golf designers, the North American Pete Dye, author of the other two 18-hole courses in Casa del Campo, was inaugurated.
Dye was hired to design a course on very dry land near a sugar cane plantation in La Romana, but once there and exploring the coastline, he thought he could create something truly extraordinary. With the help of 300 Dominican workers, the field was prepared by bringing earth in carts from inland areas and even had to break rocky areas with hammers, picks and chisels. It was a work of craftsmanship, a field literally made by hand.
The golf course was originally named Cajuiles, in reference to the trees of that name that grew in the mountains, but was changed to Teeth of the Dog when Dye heard the natives refer to the coral rock by that name because of the sharp appearance of a canine’s teeth.
“Almost by accident, I saw before me the most beautiful seaside location for a golf course, little did I realize that my wonderful discovery would be the beginning of a lifelong devotion to this Caribbean country and its warm and friendly people.” So spoke Pete Dye of his work, who said the design was relatively simple because “God made seven holes,” referring to the ones that border the sea, and he only had to create the remaining eleven.
Hole 5, a 160-meter par 3, is the first of the coastal holes, with its small green set into the sea and exposed to the winds blowing towards the coast, which forces the ball to fly over the crystal-clear Caribbean waters. It is the emblematic hole of Dientes de Perro, due to its degree of difficulty and unbeatable views. The next par 3 is the 7th, which also requires flying over the waves and in the same direction as the 5th, but this time to a green surrounded by impressive sand traps.
The 8th green, a par 4 of 373 meters, involves great complications, with several flag positions only accessible to the most experienced players.
The course then turns inland at the 9th, and five more must be played to return to the coastline and face three holes bathed by the Caribbean beginning at the magnificent 15th. Like the 17th, this style hole stretches along the edge of the cliff with the sea lurking on the right to catch any ball that strays from the left side. Sandwiched between these great par 4’s is the final par 3, a thrilling hole that stretches from a rocky inlet to a daunting green resting on a ledge.
The immediate success of Teeth of the Dog helped Pete Dye cement his reputation as one of the world’s top designers.
The par 72 course has hosted countless national and international tournaments, including the PGA Tour Dominican Republic Open and twice the Latin American Amateur Championship (LAAC).
Dye has designed three other courses at Casa de Campo: The Links and Dye Fore, both 18 holes, and Dye Fore Lakes, 9 holes.
The Links, of Scottish and English inspiration, presents a more traditional style than Teeth of the Dog. Surrounded by mango and flamboyant trees, water comes into play on five holes. Dye Fore has holes on spectacular cliffs that drop 100 meters to the Chavón River. It offers spectacular views of the sea, the mountains, the river, the Casa de Campo Marina and the artists’ village of Altos de Chavón.
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THE DESIGNER: PETE DYE, ONE OF THE GREATS
American Pete Dye, considered the best golf course designer of the last 60 years, is a true legend. Casa de Campo has no less than three 18-hole layouts designed by him, different but equally challenging.
With an organic and practical style that he consolidated after visiting the birthplace of golf, Scotland, the elements that bear Dye’s signature (such as slopes with sleepers and small bunkers) have been influenced by the history of the sport.
In addition to creating the best course in the Caribbean, Teeth of the Dog, Dye has also designed world famous courses such as the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, the PGA West course, the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, the Whistling Straits, as well as collaborating with Jack Nicklaus on the Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head in South Carolina.
On the verge of his 93rd birthday (December 29, 1925), Pete Dye is barely conscious of his existence. He can play golf, but he is unable to hold a conversation, unable to express in words his now devastated inner world: he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
Among the many awards and recognitions received throughout his long career, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008.
The premise of Dye’s designs is that the golf experience has to be memorable, that the player will be able to remember all 18 holes at the end of the round, and to that end, vulgar or repetitive holes must be avoided.
Pete’s sons, Perry and Paul Burke, have followed in their father’s professional footsteps and also design golf courses.
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CASA DE CAMPO RESORT: A PARADISE IN LA ROMANA
Casa de Campo Resort is a tropical gem located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic along the stunning Chavón River and boasting lush vegetation. It is a hotel, resort and residential community spread over nearly 3,000 hectares of land, a destination unlike any other in the Caribbean.
Accommodation options are multiple, and the hotel or villas offer the utmost in luxury and services. They include private pool, spacious terraces, private butler, maid, gardener and for an additional cost the service of a personal chef, if desired. A perfect place for family vacations, golfers, couples, friends, group reunions and weddings.
In addition to its four golf courses, Casa de Campo has a wide variety of sports options, each with expert equipment and the most modern facilities to be found in the Caribbean. It also has a gym, an exclusive spa, a marina, a yacht club and a private beach, where you can enjoy a wide range of water sports.
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3 THINGS ABOUT TEETH OF THE DOG
SHINES IN THE RANKINGS
Teeth of the Dog figures prominently in the main international rankings, always in the Top 100 worldwide: number 1 in the Caribbean by The Top 100 Golf Courses, 48th in the world by Golf Magazine, 52nd by Golf Digest, 55th by Planet Golf, 65th by Architects’ Choice…
THE PRICE OF QUALITY
Playing a course like Teeth of the Dog is not affordable for everyone, but it is well worth the effort to enjoy it. The green fee costs 395 dollars (94 for those under 18 years of age).
DON’T SKIMP ON THE BALLS
It is not a question of scaring anyone, but it is best that if you are going to play at Teeth of the Dog you carry a good amount of balls in case luck does not smile on the par 3s that border the sea and it swallows a few of them.
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