Teeth of the Dog, the 18-hole design by Pete Dye at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, is set for what the resort describes as a ‘facelift’ in 2025.
This story was originally reported by Golf Course Architecture magazine.
Jerry Pate, a US Open champion who has been working as a golf course architect since 1978, is the course consultant at the resort and is overseeing the work. He is being supported by his senior designer, Steve Dana.
Teeth of the Dog is located on the Dominican Republic’s southern coast and regularly tops lists of best courses in the Caribbean. Dye’s design was built on rocky terrain alongside the Caribbean Sea, with seven holes playing on the coastline.
Work on the course includes a regrassing of tees, fairways and greens with the saltwater-tolerant Pure Dynasty paspalum, developed by Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. and marketed by Atlas Turf International and Pure Seed, as well as sandcapping to enhance soil depth.
The resort also plans some bunker work to improve drainage, levelling of tees and cart path repairs. Dye’s original design will be preserved, with only minimal changes, such as slight the lengthening of some holes.
“We are committed to maintaining the integrity of Pete’s golf course while addressing necessary maintenance,” said Robert Birtel, Casa de Campo’s director of golf. “This significant undertaking reflects the ownership’s dedication to providing an enhanced golfing experience for our visitors.”
The renovation is part of an ongoing project at the resort, which has 90 holes designed by Dye: the 18 on Teeth of the Dog, 27 on Dye Fore, the 18-hole Links layout, and the 27-hole members-only La Romana design.
Other work at the resort includes the expansion of Dye Fore to incorporate nine holes from the La Romana layout.
Casa de Campo is also developing plans for a new par-three course near the Links layout and a large Himalayas-style putting green near Teeth of the Dog.
