Teeth of the Dog

Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo in La Romana, Dominican Republic, stands as Pete Dye's crowning achievement and the Caribbean's most celebrated golf course. Immediately dubbed 'The Jewel of the Caribbean' upon its opening in 1971, this masterpiece has maintained its position among the world's top 100 golf courses for over five decades, currently ranked as the #39 course globally and #1 in the Caribbean.

The course's genesis began in the late 1960s when Alvaro Carta, fleeing communist Cuba, envisioned transforming a rugged Dominican coastline into a world-class golf destination while serving as chief executive for the South Porto Rico Sugar Company. With backing from Gulf + Western, Carta enlisted Pete Dye to create something extraordinary from the unforgiving coral and limestone terrain.

Construction commenced in 1969 and required an extraordinary 18-month effort involving 300 Dominican workers armed only with sledgehammers, pickaxes, chisels, and oxen-led carriages. This labor-intensive process, conducted entirely by hand, saw crews methodically pulverize the coral-strewn property one stone at a time. The course's name derives from the jagged coral 'teeth' formations that line the Caribbean shore, which Dye incorporated into his design philosophy.

The layout showcases Dye's revolutionary design approach, featuring his signature elements of railroad ties, strategic bunkering, and psychological challenges. Twelve holes offer stunning ocean views, while seven holes—known as 'The Heaven Seven'—are dramatically perched on the rocky Caribbean shoreline. These oceanside holes represent some of the most breathtaking golf holes in the world, where the azure Caribbean provides both beauty and intimidation.

Dye's personal connection to Teeth of the Dog ran deep. He considered it his finest design and loved the course so much that he built his home alongside the 7th fairway. When the legendary architect passed away in 2020, his ashes were interred near the 8th green, forever linking him to his masterpiece. This gesture speaks to the profound relationship between architect and creation that defined Dye's career.

After more than half a century of hosting golfers from around the world, Teeth of the Dog underwent a comprehensive restoration beginning in January 2025. Led by Jerry Pate Design—with Pate being the 1976 U.S. Open champion who won as a 22-year-old rookie—the year-long project required over half a million man-hours to complete. The renovation stripped and replanted the entire course with Pure Dynasty Paspalum, a grass variety specifically designed for optimal performance in warm climates.

The restoration was meticulous in scope: all 70 tee boxes were completely rebuilt using 679 cubic meters of sand, every green was reconstructed with subtle changes to size, shape, and undulation to improve accessibility for average golfers, and all 127 bunkers were redesigned to enhance playability. The 14 fairways received sand-capping before seeding, utilizing 4,487 cubic meters of sand, while new cart paths required an equal amount of concrete. Five new stone retaining walls were constructed to protect the course from ocean erosion while preserving the dramatic coastal character.

The course reopened on December 7, 2025—almost 55 years to the day after its original opening—with enhanced conditioning and refined playability while maintaining Dye's original design integrity. The restoration extended the course to 7,312 yards from the back tees, ensuring it remains relevant for modern golf while preserving its historic character.

Teeth of the Dog's influence extends far beyond its physical boundaries. As the first of five courses at Casa de Campo, it established the standard for Caribbean resort golf and demonstrated how challenging, world-class golf could be created in tropical paradise settings. The course embodies Dye's philosophy of offering strategic options rather than forced carries—while intimidating in appearance, multiple routes to each green provide risk-reward choices for players of all skill levels.

The tropical climate offers year-round playability with consistent trade winds and temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. These conditions, combined with the Pure Dynasty Paspalum playing surfaces, provide optimal playing conditions throughout the year, making it a premier destination for golf travelers seeking both challenge and beauty.

Gilles Gagnon, who began as Golf Director at Casa de Campo in 1980 and now serves as Golf Director Emeritus, has become part of the course's fabric. At 77, he continues playing daily rounds, maintains his ability to drive 235 yards, plays just over par, and boasts eight lifetime holes-in-one—a testament to both his skill and the course's enduring appeal.

Today, Teeth of the Dog continues Pete Dye's legacy of challenging golfers mentally and physically while rewarding them with unparalleled beauty. The restored course features sharper greens, truer contours, and more breathtaking ocean holes than ever before. Every detail of the renovation honored Dye's original vision while ensuring the course remains a pinnacle of golf architecture for future generations. For golfers seeking to test themselves against one of the world's greatest courses while experiencing the raw beauty of the Caribbean coastline, Teeth of the Dog offers an experience that few courses can match—a true masterpiece where legend rests and legacy lives on.