Only certain golf destinations inpspire me to make a return trip. These are usually the best of the best places… my “would return to first” courses. Top notch places like Bandon Dunes, Oregon and Kohler, Wisconsin are a part of this crew. After a second visit to Casa De Campo, I am officially announcing that the resort has joined my list of elite destinations.
Joining me on my trip to the Dominican Republic this year was world renowned travel blogger, Lee Abbamonte. Lee brings the fun and the camaraderie to the golf course… as well as an all star baseball grip. We golfed every corner of the three courses at Casa De Campo, The LInks, Teeth of The Dog, and Dye Fore. It was a tough task but I have narrowed it down to my top 5 favorite things at Casa De Campo.
5. The 19th green
Just off of the coastline on the 16th tee on “Teeth” is a little rocky outcropping in the sea bearing a pin flag. The Director of Instruction, Eric Lilibridge is credited for this marvelous creation. The Golf Channel was looking for a little extra footage to go with their coverage of the resort and Eric suggested a pin flag on the rocks would make for some good scenery. A pin flag was placed on the rocks and the legend was born. After I finish up on 15, I like to attempt a little wedge out onto the “green” in the sea. With 4 trips around Teeth I am officially 0/4.
A did a little buzzing around @casadecampo this past week. pic.twitter.com/vsK6J7Uu7t
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) November 7, 2020
4. Donkeys at Dye Fore
Amidst the chaotic year of 2020, Casa De Campo was the perfect place to enjoy some golf and serenity. For me, that serenity came in the form of a donkey in between nines at Dye Fore. I had never ridden a donkey before and it was just what I had expected it to be... Pure freakin’ magic.
I rode a donkey in between 9’s today. @casadecampo pic.twitter.com/pxO2vEkRWG
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) November 5, 2020
When it comes to the golf at Dye Fore, it is something that no golfer should miss when visiting Casa De Campo. One could say that the Dye Fore golf course is to die for. *Drum and cymbals joke sound plays from the heavens.
You have three nine hole courses at Dye Fore and each nine has a distinctly unique flavor. The Chavon, Marina, and the Lagos nines are all equally fun, but with the exceptional views, the Chavon / Marina combination gets my nod for the ideal 18.
3. Super Jet Charged Golf Carts
With the Casa De Campo resort being so massive in size, it is necessary that they provide you with a golf cart to access all of the restaurants, beaches, and activities that the resort has to offer. Since it can be a mile or so to your destination, the resort takes off the governor switch and lets those EZ GO’s open right up. We are talking top speeds of 30mph. Just watch out for those speed bumps, Mario Andretti.
I didn’t take any pictures of the super charged jet carts, so you are just gonna have to deal with more course photos.
2. The Grass Swale on #8
The 12th hole at Augusta is often referred to as the prettiest little graveyard in golf. I would argue that the 8th hole at the Teeth of The Dog has earned that honor. With the passing of course architect Pete Dye in January of 2020, the world lost one of it’s greatest architectural minds.
Pete’s designs are a virtual rolodex of golf grandeur. Courses like Whistling Straits, The Golf Club, Crooked Stick, TPC Sawgrass, Harbour Town, Oak Tree National, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and the Teeth of The Dog have inspired generations of architects and famously frustrated thousands of golfers.
It is not quite the pot bunker that Pete had described in his book “Bury Me in A Pot Bunker” but Mr Dye’s final resting place lies beneath the grass swale behind the green on #8. It’s a fitting spot for a legendary master of design..
That little grass swale turns the 8th hole from a good golf hole into a great one. The stakes are raised with the golfer forced to consider a recovery shot from the swale. Still a poor shot to the right won’t be overly penalized and a par can still be saved with a delicately placed chip shot or even a putt. The pressure will certainly be on, as Pete will be watching.
I was proudly 2/2 on recovery efforts from the swale. This is a wildly fun feature to scramble from.
1. The 5th hole on Teeth of the Dog
The first time that I saw the 5th hole, I fell in love immediately. It was like that Pepsi commercial with Cindy Crawford, but with less soda pop and more golf. Playing directly over the beach to a dime sized green, the 5th hole tries to distract you with it’s beauty but also requires your stern focus. The golf hole has an undeniable “special” feel to it and a little bit of excitement fills the golfer as they step onto the tee-box. It easily makes my list of most beautiful par 3’s.
The video on the left is from a quick emergency nine that we played before heading back to California. I had been desperate for a deuce on the 5th hole and for a moment Lee tried to brush away my glory. My destiny would not be denied.
If you are interested in creating your own Casa De Campo Top 5 and making a 2 on #5., I would book your visit to the resort immediately.