An aerial view of TPC Dorado Beach, Where the Pros Play in Puerto Rico
This March, I had the chance to take the family on vacation during spring break. As we often do, we decided to take a spring break cruise. Living in Florida, cruise options are bountiful and offer an exciting getaway at unbelievable prices. After reviewing all of our options we decided on an Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Glory. The itinerary included several destinations but one stood out above the rest, Puerto Rico. To be honest, I was surprised to see Puerto Rico on the itinerary. I mean it seems like just yesterday that the island was devastated by back to back hurricanes. The damage reported on the news night after night, how could the island be ready to support tourists?
I’ve been to Puerto Rico on several occasions and had the opportunity to play on some of their fabulous golf courses including one of my all-time favorites, Royal Isabela. We were headed to the San Juan cruise port and knew that we would be close to TPC Dorado Beach so I picked up the phone and made a few calls. After watching all the hurricane coverage on TV, I wasn’t sure what state the island would be in let alone a golf resort.
As it turns out, the resort was open for business, in fact, TPC Dorado Beach was set to host a PGA Tour charity event the week prior to my arrival. The charity event was being held in lieu of the 2018 Puerto Rico Open and the proceeds would benefit the island’s disaster relief efforts. The news at TPC Dorado Beach wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, the resort has long been known for its 3 championship courses; the Pineapple, Sugarcane, and East Course. In order to get operations at TPC Dorado Beach up and running as soon as possible, they decided to clear debris from the East and Sugarcane Course and move them onto the Pineapple Course. TPC Dorado Beach is fortunate to have 3 Golf Courses; however, to get things open they decided to sacrifice the Pineapple Course for the time being.
Once the private playground of the Rockefeller family, you can easily see what makes TPC Dorado Beach so special
The drive to TPC Dorado Beach from the cruise port was about 35 minutes via taxi. Along the way, the damage from Hurricane Maria was evident; missing roofs, down trees, and people busy at work trying to restore their way of life. However, as we approached the resort it was as if the clouds parted and the sun started shining; driving into the property you’re greeted by lush tropical surroundings, beautiful homes, and a spectacular clubhouse. Oh, I forgot to mention the helipad, some pretty important people have homes at TPC Dorado Beach including the legendary, Chi Chi Rodriguez.
Dorado Beach has a rich history, and I mean that literally. In the 1950’s the Dorado Beach resort was built by the Rockefeller family and opened with two 9-hole courses designed by Robert Trent Jones; the East Course and the West Course later both expanded to 18 holes. The glory days of Dorado Beach were the 50s and 60s. The East Course hosted several prestigious championships during the 60’s and gained a worldwide following. Unfortunately, time catches up to everyone, even golf courses. By the turn of the century, Dorado Beach was still playing host to thousands of guests and golfers a year but the glamour was gone. This led to the start of major renovations.
The first renovation was completed in 2005 on the Sugarcane Course, this work was done by Raymond Floyd. Then in 2011, Robert Trent Jones Jr. was brought in to breathe new life into his Dad’s East Course design. His work added length to the 7200-yard course, repositioned bunkers, restored his father’s signature runway tees and converted the greens to ultra-dwarf Champion Bermuda. The renovations at Dorado Beach have been well received. In 2015, Dorado Beach was invited to join the TPC family and has the honor of being the only TPC course in Puerto Rico. Being a part of the TPC Family provides golfers with the PGA Tour’s seal of approval. When you play at a TPC course you’re playing where the pros play!
OK, let’s get to the golf! The fact that I was only in Puerto Rico for a few hours meant I had to choose wisely in regards to which course to play. Hurricane Maria crossed the Pineapple Course off the list, so that left me with a decision between the East and Sugarcane Course. No offense to the Sugarcane Course, it’s a great course in its own right but if you can only choose one course to play at TPC Dorado Beach it’s an easy decision, the East Course.
The famous “Z” hole — the par-5 fourth
The East Course is the Championship Course, over the years it’s hosted several championship events and when the PGA Tour pros are in town this is the one they play. The East Course is one of the most famous golf courses in the Caribbean, its place in history was cemented when Jack Nicklaus was quoted as saying the course’s famous “Z” hole is one of the best par 5s in the world. The fairway of the Par 5 fourth bends like a backwards Z as it winds around two ponds to a green perched against an ocean backdrop.
While playing the East Course, you might find it a little hard to focus on your game due to the beauty of the course and ocean views everywhere. If you haven’t played in the Caribbean before it’ll be a bit of an adjustment. You have spectacular ocean views on several holes including #1, #9 and #18 along with others. The ultra-dwarf Champion Bermuda greens installed in 2011 are in great shape and run true and fast, probably the fastest you’ll find in Puerto Rico. Challenges exist around every corner highlighted by the signature hole, the par-5 fourth, it’s a huge game of risk versus reward.
While Puerto Rico is far from fully recovered, it is more than ready to host tourists and golfers from around the world. So much of the island’s economy depends on those tourist dollars that relief efforts have been focused on the islands top tourist destinations. TPC Dorado Beach is open for business and when you drive through the gates you’ll be entering a lush tropical paradise with no signs of hurricane damage and staff dedicated to making your experience one to remember.
The best way to support Puerto Rico’s disaster relief efforts is to get out and visit the island. To book a golf trip to TPC Dorado Beach check out the great packages available on their website.
