There’s a particular kind of madness that sets in during a Western Pennsylvania January. The holidays are over, the golf clubs are still collecting dust, and your best swing of the week might be shoveling snow. Which is precisely why, for the past 15 years, I’ve had one thought on repeat as the calendar flips: Get me to Punta Cana!
And once again, as this magazine hits the inboxes in early January, the countdown is officially on. In just a few short weeks, our annual Dominican Republic golf trip returns, and this year feels different in the best possible way.
A Milestone Year (With a Few Surprises)
Fifteen years ago, I started organizing golf trips to the Dominican Republic with a simple idea: great golf, great people, zero stress. Somewhere along the way, that idea turned into a tradition, and now, a milestone.
This January marks Year 15 of hosting groups to Punta Cana, and we’re quietly planning a few surprises to celebrate. Let’s just say the regulars know better than to expect a “normal” week.
And speaking of regulars…
Old Friends, New Faces, and a Lot of Laughter
One of the things I’m most excited about this year is the mix of people joining us. We have several longtime returning golfers, guys who’ve been part of this trip for years, coming back to relive the memories and probably tell the same stories (slightly better each time).
At the same time, we’re welcoming six brand-new couples to the group. The formula works perfectly: the guys golf world-class courses, while the ladies master the pool, beach, spa, and the fine art of unlimited all-inclusive drinks. Everyone wins.
In total, we’ll have nine non-golfing ladies alongside thirty-two golfers, and one thing is guaranteed, no one is easing into vacation mode. On the first full morning, the ladies board a private catamaran cruise, a decision that may end up being the smartest of the entire week, while the guys head straight to Corales, where the PGA TOUR competes and the infamous Devil’s Elbow awaits.
The “Mayor” of Punta Cana
Somewhere along the way, one of our longtime returning golfers, David Montanez, started calling me Alcalde – Spanish for “Mayor.” The nickname stuck.
Now, every year, the group insists on referring to me as the Mayor of Punta Cana, which I accept with humility… and absolutely no authority whatsoever. Still, when you’ve been bringing groups to the same place for 15 years, people start to talk.
Favorite Place on Earth (Yes, Even Over Pebble)
I’ve been fortunate to travel to some incredible golf destinations. We take a group to Pebble Beach every March, which tells you everything you need to know about the standard of golf I love.
And yet, this may be the strongest statement I can make: in my opinion, Punta Cana, specifically Corales paired with Punta Espada, delivers a one-two punch every bit as compelling as Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. That alone is one of the many reasons this is my favorite place to go in the entire world.
Punta Espada, in particular, might be my favorite golf course anywhere. Anywhere. The setting, the design, the ocean holes and it never gets old. Not the first time. Not the fortieth-plus time I’ve walked those fairways.
Brothers, Caddies, and the People Who Make It Special
Golf is the hook, but people are the reason we keep coming back.
My caddie, Ruben, has become my Dominican brother over the years. Our friendship is just one example of what makes this place special. The warmth, pride, and genuine hospitality of the people in the Dominican Republic are unmatched. They don’t just welcome you, they remember you.
That’s why this trip feels less like travel and more like coming home.
Food, Fairways, and the PGA TOUR Seal of Approval
We stay at The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club, and the food alone could justify the trip. It’s absolutely incredible and on par with some of the best restaurants in the States – and that’s not marketing fluff.
There’s a reason PGA TOUR players stay at the Westin when they’re in town for the Corales Puntacana Championship. Everything is done right. Quietly. Professionally. Effortlessly.
And when you combine that level of hospitality with courses like Punta Espada, Corales, and La Cana, you stop talking about value and start talking about experiences.
Why January Can’t Come Fast Enough
By the time you’re reading this, the bags will practically be packed. The weather forecast will read “mid-80s and sunny,” and somewhere in Punta Cana, Ruben will already be smiling.
Fifteen years in, the excitement hasn’t faded, it’s grown. The friendships are deeper. The laughs are louder. And the anticipation? Still undefeated.
So no, We’re not counting the days. We’re making them count!
