This report was kindly provided by Bo, Mr. Pib. We sent him yesterday to go play around of golf with Jack Nicklaus. His report and photos below
Punta Espada golf course, Grand Opening.
First thing that strikes you is the colours. Everything is kept in green, white and blue.
Green from the grass of the Paspalum variety which further has the advantage that seawater can be used for irrigation.
White from the sand, pebbles and rocks used in the bunkers and common areas dividing the club house areas from the course.
And blue served in the many different shades the ocean offers.
Press conference.
Apart from the questions where the answer was given before it was asked and the usual Tiger related questions which have no relation to this course, the press would of course like to know how this course ranks among the more than 250 courses Jack Nicklaus have designed all over the world. He wouldn’t promote one over the other as he regards all of them as his children he said; however he was very thrilled with the piece of land given to him for Punta Espada which could only lead to a spectacular course and he was very proud of it.
On the question of how the next course (Iguanas) would look he couldn’t give a specific answer as he likes to tweak his initial ideas for the design as the development goes along.
He didn’t find it all together difficult to work with the Dominican government or bureaucracy as there seems to be an understanding for the development of the tourism industry.
Whether the course would host a professional tournament he could only vouch for the facilities. They are as good as they get for that purpose. What the PGA decides to do in their efforts to promote the sport into this part of the world only the future will show.
Clinic.
It turned out to be no more than his regular warm up routine. He said he only plays 1 round of golf a month now. Still has a mean game though.
The round.
Several hundred people followed Jack Nicklaus on the inaugural round. He was equipped with a microphone and speaker carts followed. He played from the back tee and on each tee he explained the design of the hole and the several ways to play it and where not to go with your tee shot.
Apart from the holes where you had to carry the ocean on your tee shot it looked like a generous course for the average golfer. Wide fairways and on several holes more than one option for landing your tee shot should suit golfers of all skills. And should you miss a fairway the ball should be easily found as not many trees, bushes or flower beds are found along the fairways.
If you do have a day where the golfing Gods are not exactly smiling at you, just take in the sights and you’ll be equally satisfied. The course is manicured to a degree I haven’t seen before. Not one straw point in the wrong direction or one grain of sand is askew in the bunkers. And the back drop of the ocean with its post card perfect colours will make you lose concentration more than once anyway.
The highlight of the round was the 223 yards par 3, 13th, which will certainly get its share of photos taken. Jack hit a 4-wood into the strong side wind and the ball rolled to the back fringe on the green. He made birdie on the following 12 meter putt.
Press conference.
Birdie putt on 6th.
View from 9th tee, you see 10th fairway plus 18th tee back right.
18th green.
Club Hosue.
Ariel View
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Golfers! Punta Espada Cap Cana
re: Punta Espada
