Punta Espada Golf Course at Cap Cana - Hole Number 8
The 8th the shortest par 4 at Punta Espada: 309 yards off the gold tee - 336 from the tips. Handicapped 15, it's one of the easiest holes on the course, but don't be fooled by the number: the wind will play a key role in club selection. The large sandy waste area that parallels the entire hole and extends into the fairway at the landing area will force the more conservative players to play to the left side of the fairway which will set up a tough approach shot over a greenside bunker. The best way to the green is to hit your drive over the sandy waste area into the right side of the fairway with the possibility of driving the putting surface if the wind is kind.
Punte Espada is a brand new Jack Nicklaus signature golf course at the Sanctuary Cap Cana; it opened for play in April 2007 and is the first of three new courses - the second course, Las Iguanas, is well under way and should be open in mid-2009.
The Punta Espada course plays a tough 7,396 yards from the back tees (6,883 from the Gold tees) for a par of 72, a course rating of 77, and a slope of 137. A Caddy is mandatory and the cost included in the green fee - you will need to tip, however.
Green fees at the time of writing are from US$220 to US$320, which includes green fees, cart fees, caddie fees, taxes, range balls, yardage booklet, scorecard, pencil, two bottles of water per player.
Sanctuary Cap Cana is the Dominican Republic’s newest luxury resort. It first opened its doors in January of 2008, and now seems poised to become the Republic’s premier destination. With the first of three Jack Nicklaus signature courses already open for play, and having already hosted the PGA Champions Tour in April 2008, Cap Cana is also destined to become a major golf destination.
Please read my full review of the Sanctuary Cap Cana
