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Golf Courses
  
Scenes
from Playa Dorado Golf Course
   
Scenes
from Playa Grande Golf Course
While there are other 9-hole and 18- hole golf
courses within a 40-mile radius of our area, the
following are the only ones we feel are worthy of
consideration when time is limited and cost is a
factor.
Costambar,
the
community next door to Playa Cofresi, has a
nine-hole golf course called “Los Mangos”. It is
approximately 2,500 yards long, par 32. In the past it
has not been well maintained. It is a narrow
golf course built on gently rolling terrain. Caddies are
available.
Nice course to take the kids if they’re learning
the game but we’re inclined to say experienced players
should pass on this one. In December 2004
the course was in poor condition, so check before
planning to play there.
Playa
Dorada, about 6 miles from Playa Cofresi, has a
Robert Trent Jones golf course, pro shop, club house
with bar and limited menu, and driving range that is lit
for evening practice.
The golf course measures 6,300 yards for men and
5,400 yards for women. It is kept in
fair condition and while it is wide open, there are
enough water holes and doglegs to keep it
interesting.
Tourists are welcome and tee-off times are not
necessary.
Greens fees are
about $65 US. An electric cart costs $15 US, but each
cart must take a caddie. If you are going
to walk you must play in the afternoon and you are
required to have your own caddie. Caddies do not
carry double unless no other caddies are available. The caddie fee
is about $10 US excluding any tip. Most caddies speak
enough English to communicate. Golf clubs are available
to rent. Tee off times start around 7 AM and end around 3-4 PM depending upon
the season..
Playa
Grande, about 40 miles away, has what those in the
know consider the Caribbean’s
best golf course, surpassing the well-known “Teeth of
the Dog” course at La Romana. It is said that Robert
Trent Jones cried when he was awarded the job of
designing Playa Grande. You may, too.
With 11 dramatic ocean-side holes and incredible views
of the azure sea from the rest, if the scenery doesn’t
get you, your ball replacement costs will.
Opened in 1997, it was one of Trent Jones last
designs.
Though he never saw the exquisite result, his
signature is everywhere, from the sprawling tee boxes to
the large, sloping greens. From the tips
the course plays 6,852 yards and requires intimidating
carries over craggy gulches on six holes. Perched on
100-foot cliffs on the island’s north coast, this course
is the Caribbean’s best-kept
secret and will be an unforgettable experience. Fees are higher
here than at Playa Dorado. But it is worth it.
Reservations can be made by calling 582-0860, ext. 27 or
582-3302, but often you don’t get off at the reserved
time.
"Golf in the
Dominican
Republic is a must. We have had the
great pleasure to play two courses here, both of which
were outstanding.
Below describes our experiences with the two
courses:
Playa Grande
– If you
are a golfer, you must play this course! It is an hour
and 45 min drive from the villa, but well worth
the trip.
The course is situated all along the ocean
cliffs. (Vistas from Pebble
Beach come to mind when
you see it.)
Take your camera, because the views are truly
amazing.
Seventeen of eighteen holes had gorgeous ocean
vistas, like you’ve never seen. Sometimes you
forget that you are playing golf, and just marvel at the
natural beauty of it all. The course
itself is a very fair and challenging one, yet not
overly difficult.
The service may not be the best you have ever
had, but we played in the off season when they had
minimal staff.
Also, the pro shop was small and poorly
stocked.
You must take a cart if you play before
1:00pm. If you tee off
after this, you can walk. Either way you
will take a caddy with you. (1 per player if you walk, 1
per cart if you ride) The caddies are
very knowledgeable about the course and the breaks in
the greens. (most are great golfers in their own right.)
Plus,
you’ll get the equivalent of free golf lessons! The cost
per caddie is $20, and then you must tip them. A $40 tip per
caddie in addition to the $20 cost is the average rate.
(the caddies work solely for tips, and this is their
only job)
Green fees plus cart are $105 per person. With the caddy’s
fee and tip, the total per golfer is $165.00 US. (if you
ride in a cart and split a caddie, then this cost will
be a little lower)
Transportation to the course is not included in
this price. This may
seem expensive, but it is worth the cost. We enjoyed it so
much that we went back and played a second time the
following day.
Playa
Dorada – This is a
very nice course which is only about 20 minutes from the
villa. The
course is in nice condition, the staff is very friendly,
and the pro shop was well equipped. The caddies,
which are mandatory, were top notch at the course and
provide great information and advice. The course was
moderately challenging, but still fun to play. While this
course does not have the amazing vistas of Playa Grande,
it is still a beautiful golf course and well worth the
cost. The
greens fees were around $65 without a cart. You must also
pay a $15 caddie fee (whether you walk or ride). In addition to
this, you must tip your caddie. A $40 tip per
caddie in addition to the $15 cost is the average rate.
(the caddies work solely for tips, and this is their
only job)
Again, you’ll get the equivalent of free golf
lessons from well-qualified teachers! The course is
very walkable, though it can be hot in the summer
months.
Total cost per golfer for green fees and caddy,
if you walk, is around $120.00. An electric cart
costs an additional $15.00. These rates do
not include the taxi ride to the course.
"
Snorkeling
off the beaches
When the Atlantic swell is calm, snorkeling off
the far end of Cofresi, aound the rocks, can be
interesting. There are usually lots of fish to see.
Although everyone talks about snorkeling at Sosua
Bay, we have found that the area is heavily silted and
not very good. A closer and better trip would be to take
the family and head to our neighboring community only
one mile away, Costambar, for shelling and snorkeling
off the beach. Costambar
is a wide beach with lots of coral reefs; one about
midway is considered the best spot for snorkeling. Chaise lounges
can be rented and there are several beach shacks where
you can enjoy a delicious light lunch. The favorite
place to eat on the beach is Thon’s. It’s a blue
shack near the mid point of the beach.
SNORKELING
AT PUNTA RUSIA
Paradise
Island at the National Park of Montecristi is known for
having the most beautiful coral reefs in the whole
Caribbean.
You will drive along the scenic coast to Punta
Rusia where you will take an 18 foot motorized boat
through a mangrove forest to a small island where you
are able to do some of the best snorkeling in the whole
Caribbean. On the way home you will see sugar cane, rice
paddies, tobacco and other crops of
interest.
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