Punta Espada Nicklaus Course Opens in Dominican Republic


All 18 holes of the Punta Espada course – part of the luxurious Cap Cana tourist and real estate development in the Dominican Republic – are now open and ready for play.

The official opening will take place on November 8 with an appearance by the course’s designer, Jack Nicklaus.

“With the unveiling of all 18 holes of the course we have fulfilled the promise made to our clients to offer a simply spectacular course, in which stunning cliffs, pristine beaches, lucid waterfalls and abundant vegetation combine to make Punta Espada truly a golf experience in paradise,” said Sam Logan, named director of operations of Punta Espada by Troon Golf, the company responsible for constructing and managing the course.

Punta Espada, whose back nine opened in July, represents the first of three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses that will be built at Cap Cana. It was constructed at an estimated cost of $18 million.

Cap Cana is a luxury destination and real estate development that entailed an initial investment of about $1.5 billion for the completion of its first phase. The project covers 46 square miles of beaches, rocky coastline and panoramic vistas of the Caribbean.

Many consider the course’s “signature hole” as No. 13, a spectacular 249-yard par-3 that requires golfers to execute an accurate tee shot over the Caribbean to reach the green.

Punta Espada is the first golf course in the Dominican Republic featuring 100 percent Seashore Paspalum, a preferred grass in tropical climates because of its resistance to salt water and vibrant green color.

The Dominican Republic holds the distinction of having more golf courses than any other country in the Caribbean.