DOMINICAN REPUBLIC NAMED “GOLF DESTINATION OF THE YEAR”

Dominican Republic voted the best by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators

DominICAN REPUBLIC – Nov. 18, 2008 – The Dominican Republic (DR) was named the “Golf Destination of the Year for the Caribbean and Latin America” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). The award was presented to Francisco Javier Garcia, the DR Minister of Tourism, at the 2008 International Golf Travel Market’s (IGTM) annual meeting held Nov. 17-20 in Marbella, Spain.

“The IAGTO award affirms that the DR has arrived on the international scene as an important new “It” destination for golf. The world is taking notice of the DR’s world-class designer golf courses set amid stunning sea sides, beaches and mountains in an accessible and affordable destination,” DR Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said.

Each year, the IGTM annual conference brings together golf tour operators and the meetings industry with leading hotels, resorts and golf courses of the world to conduct business and grow the industry. This leading trade show highlights and honors top golf travel suppliers, destinations and services.

“Since the first designer golf course opening in the DR, which was Teeth of the Dog at the world-popular Casa de Campo resort, golf has been a booming facet for the country’s tourism industry,” said Garcia.  “The DR, blessed with breathtaking countryside and pristine beaches, is home to some of the world’s most dramatic and spectacular golf courses designed by legends such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo.”

In honor of the prestigious award, IAGTO will host an official IAGTO FAM trip that will consist of 50 people, 40 IAGTO members (golf tour operators) and 10 members of the International Golf Travel Writers Association to experience the golf offerings of the DR first hand.

In addition to this award, the DR was recently recognized by Travel & Leisure Golf magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 650,000, as “The Player’s Paradise,” honoring the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki as one of the top 10 best new golf courses in the world.  Also, soon to be released by Golfweek magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 150,000, Punta Espada Golf Course will be ranked number one along with the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki to be ranked number 20 in the Top 50 Courses in the Caribbean and Mexico article.

Visitors to the DR needn't worry about packing golf clubs or even knowing how to golf, for that matter. Each course offers affordable club rentals and internationally recognized golf pros for lessons. Regardless of handicap, the courses of the DR promise a challenging and unique experience.

DR Golf Courses:

East Coast (Punta Cana, Bavaro, La Romana, Bayahibe)

• Dye Fore (Designed by Pete Dye) www.casadecampo.com.do
• Links ( Championship course designed by Pete Dye) www.casadecampo.com.do
• Teeth of the Dog (Championship course designed by Pete Dye) www.casadecampo.com.do
• Punta Cana Resort & Club’s La Cana Golf Course (Championship course designed by P.B. Dye) www.puntacana.com
• Punta Blanca (Designed by Nick Price) www.punta-blanca.com
• Cocotal Golf and Country Club (Designed by Pepe Gancedo) www.cocotalgolf.com
• Golf de Bavaro (Designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo) www.barcelo.com
• Corales Golf Course (Designed by Tom Fazio) www.puntacana.com
• Las Iguanas Golf Course (Designed by Jack Nicklaus) www.capcana.com
• La Hacienda (Designed by P.B. Dye) www.puntacana.com
• Punta Espada Golf Course (Designed by Jack Nicklaus) www.capcana.com
• Faldo Legacy Course (Designed by Nick Faldo) www.rocoki.com
• Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club (Designed by Alberto Sola) www.hoteles-catalonia.com
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