Dominican Republic, capital of golf in the Caribbean
The Dominican Republic continues to prove that it is the best Caribbean tourist destination for golf. Visitors from all over the world enjoy being able to combine playing golf in excellent fields of challenging designs with stunning natural landscapes, first class hotels and quality services.
“The Dominican Republic is the favorite destination for golfers traveling to the Caribbean. Our country offers much more than first-class courses, offers a variety of ideal experiences for both the golfer and his companions, enjoy an unforgettable vacation, with first class services, “says Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic (MITUR). “That, coupled with the excellent connectivity that exists within the country, both air and land, and the relative proximity of our tourist destinations, make the Dominican Republic the golf destination par excellence of the region.”
Currently, the Dominican Republic hosts 26 golf courses with first class designs distributed throughout the country, seven of which offer 86 holes with stunning views of the sea. Renowned international designers, such as Jack Nicklaus, Gray Player, Pete Dye and Tom Fazio, have left their mark and passion with fields that challenge players of different levels, including Teeth of the Dog from La Romana, designed by Fazio and considered one of the 50 best courses in the world, The Lakes Barcelo, in the area of Bávaro, highlighted by the impressive mangrove forest that surrounds it, and Punta Espada, in Cap Cana, with an impeccable Nicklaus design and eight holes located facing the Caribbean Sea.
In a long-term strategy, MITUR has placed special emphasis on the promotion of golf, which has resulted in a segment growth of over 45% in the last five years. Recently, the country received, for the fourth consecutive year, the award as the Best Caribbean Golf Destination at the 2018 World Golf Awards.
Likewise, the recognition of the destination is reflected in the numerous international scale competitions that attract golfers from all over the world. In March of this year, the country was host, for the first time, of the PGA Tour, the main North American professional golf circuit for men. It was played on the modern Corales golf course, located at Puntacana Resort & Club. Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2010, Corales combines undulating terrain and incredible views with side holes in the ocean cliffs and greens on the edge of a saltwater lake.
With the aim of continuing to maintain this leadership, the fifth edition of the DR Golf Travel Exchange 2018 will be held from September 1 to 6, an event that brings together media and international tour operators specialized in sport with golf course managers, hoteliers. and local operators, and that year after year is consolidated as the best platform to show the world the attractions of the Dominican Republic as a golf destination. In its most recent edition, the event featured the presentation of outstanding figures from the golf world, including James J. Keegan, renowned golf writer and US strategist, and Kelly Fulford, Business Director of GolfNow. In this context, the “Great Golf Tournament 2017” was also held, played in two rounds with the individual modality in three categories: A, B and Feminine.
The DR Golf Travel Exchange 2018 will be held at the luxurious Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa hotel, located in the Cap Cana tourist complex, in Punta Cana. Like previous editions, attendees will have exclusive access to the best golf courses, seminars specialized and workshops with professionals. They will also be able to experience all that the Dominican Republic has to offer outside the fields, with excursions to the east coast of the country.