n TRAVEL Dominican Republic o you’re standing on the first tee wearing your waterproofs, umbrella in hand as you try to keep your glove and grip dry from the torrential mid-afternoon S downpour. It’s a feeling we are all well- accustomed to during our monthly winter medals, but following two summers of short-changed sunshine and dreary August overcasts, the post-round chat has quickly turned to year-round golfing escapes at a cost that can stand the crunch of a global recession. As always, the Algarve and Spain are the most talked- about destinations. But with the euro so strong against the pound – and with everyone fishing around for the best deals – these are proving pricey options for a last- minute getaway. On top of the golf, there’s your food and travel, and any such trip would not be the same without a couple of nights based on a cheeky tipple or two. For those looking for something new, the Dominican Republic is a venue that has been turning heads recently. Admittedly it’s a bit far for a long weekend, but if you are looking for a week to escape the Great British gloom in favour of sandy white beaches, the IAGTO winner for Latin America and the Caribbean is a fine place to choose. Punta Cana is a popular choice of venue for some fantastic deals and courses, and many top golf-course architects are making a beeline for this easternmost coastline strip. Indeed, designs by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye are a common feature, with new courses on the menu from Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Tom Fazio. Rumours circulating that Tom Weiskopf and Greg Norman could soon be approached reveal the nature of the golf industry’s boom in this part of the world. All-round play Setting Without wanting to state the obvious, the one thing you are guaranteed to find in the Dominican Republic – as well as a warm and friendly welcome – is the sun. Of course it rains, but you’ll mainly be hit with showers in the the evening. Average winter temperatures from October to May are around 30 degrees. I was there from mid- September to October and, if you don’t mind dodging a few hurricanes, this is a great time to come and play. It’s trend quiet and you will find the courses relatively sparse. High James Mason heads off to the Dominican Republic, the season runs from January to May, and if your negotiating skills are good enough, you could bag yourself a few IAGTO award winner for Latin America and the Caribbean bargain rounds on some great tracks. First you will need to find the best booking. It’s Cap Cana resort’s magnificent Punta Espada course recommended you stay at one of the big resorts, which 132 GOLF MONTHLY JANUARY 2009 - www.golf-monthly.co.uk GOLF MONTHLY JANUARY 2009 - www.golf-monthly.co.uk 133 n TRAVEL Dominican Republic back tee. Then you have the home straight of 16, 17 and 18 along the shoreline. If you could choose three holes to play for the rest of your life, you wouldn’t go far wrong with this finishing trio. There is no doubt about it that Punta Espada is a masterpiece, but Nicklaus has now been commissioned to create another, which is well on its way to completion. From what I was shown by Mark Clouse, director of golf at Cap Cana, the Golden Bear could just pull this off. Eventually there will be five courses on this complex, and they are hoping by 2010 for Punta Espada to become a member’s only course. If this is to be the case, pack your clubs and head over while you have the chance to play it. To the future... At Punta Cana resort, La Cana golf course is now seven years old, with four holes sitting next to the beach and the finishing two running right along the oceanfront. Naturally, much like its neighbouring courses, stunning views are very much part of the package. One of the picks comes on the par-3 12th. If you never get to play the 17th at Sawgrass, then you’ll get a chance to play something very similar here with a 146-yard tee shot to a two-tiered island green. By January 2010, there will be two more courses added to the Punta Cana portfolio. The first will be Tom Fazio’s Corales Golf Course, due to open by January 2009, with P.B Dyes’ Hacienda due for completion a The fantastic Roco Ki resort, home to Faldo’s Legacy course year later. Once Corales and Hacienda are both in operation, Jeff Neal, golf director at for money is fantastic and you’ll find and 18th is complemented by some Punta Cana, says the plan is to take La Cana some super prizes on offer. The magnificent sea views. golf course out of action for a complete revamp course itself is in excellent condition. All the holes have a great feel to them. with automatic irrigation put in and reseeded Jack Nicklaus’ Punta Espada course offers a great Like most tracks, you’ll have a choice It’s a very tough course from the black with paspalum grass to bring it up to the of which tees to play from. The tees, but it’s also a fair challenge and standard of the two new courses. challenge, as well as some magnificent views blacks measure 7,174 yards, with you can see Faldo’s preference for a Such development and planning is making some great carries over water. Blues fade in a lot of the designs. The fairways the Dominican Republic a real mover in the are at 6,706, while the whites are are not too tight and will give the golf world. With dreamy weather and wonderful you should always book through an ABTA (The Travel 6,186 yards with the reds at 5,583. average golfer a chance. But golf is hospitality, it offers the complete package at Association) or ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) While it can be argued that most courses have their meant to be fun, and there is plenty of an affordable price. In short, it could be just accredited agent, taking into account the recent upheaval memorable holes, the Punta Blanca has quite a few. First risk/reward here. La Cana course’s 18th what you need at such challenging economic in the travel industry. There are major savings to be found up is the par-5 4th, which measures 591 yards from the times. Go on, put a smile on your face... by staying in a resort. Most are all inclusive with food and blacks to 508 from the reds. The drive is over water to a Golden touch drinks taken care of. Depending on your budget, you can wide fairway that sits in a slight valley. The green runs At the Cap Cana resort – situated just minutes from Punta get deals for a week from as little as £550 upwards. across with a well-placed bunker that protects the Cana’s international airport – the Punta Espada course If you want to spend more, you can rent anything elevated right-hand side. The 13th is played over reeds to has earned a series of glowing reviews, most notably from CONTACTS BOOK from an apartment to a villa on the beach at one of a green that is again protected on the elevated right by a its designer, Jack Nicklaus. The 18-time Major winner dominican republic the many resort areas such as Cap Cana, Punta Cana and bunker, with another sand hazard on the left to catch says the course “offers one of the finer golf experiences GeTTING THERE punTa blanca course the soon-to-be-opened Roco Ki, where Nicklaus, Tom anything off line. The 18th is a fine closing hole. From in the Caribbean, and perhaps the world”. Few could No visa is required for British nationals W: punta-blanca.com Fazio and Faldo’s magnificent courses will be located. any of the tees, you will be laying up short of the bunker argue with those words once they have experienced it. for a stay of up to 30 days. British Alternatively, you can stay at one of the many tourist- that runs down the right and eats into the fairway. There Everyone eulogises how great the course is. But does it Airways, Delta Airlines and American faldo leGacY opening 2009 type resorts on a pay-and-play basis. By no means do you is also a bunker on the left that can catch a wayward live up to the hype? In a word, yes. This track was Airline all fly direct. Various airlines fly W: rocoki.com miss out; five-star service comes as standard in the drive, but you have plenty of fairway to play with. If everything that it was made out to be, and more. indirect, including Air France, Iberia Dominican Republic. you’re playing from the white tees, you can carry the Stepping onto the elevated 1st tee – which looks down and KLM. Approximate flight time is musT do right-hand bunker, giving you a wedge in to a on a perfectly manicured fairway with a slight dog-leg to ten hours. As ever, book early to find There are more than 1,000 miles of Lively start two-tier green in front of the club house. the left with the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean as a yourself the best deal.