Punta Blanca - Dominican Republic

I led the final stage of construction of this course during 2005-6 and managed the first year of operation. I left DR at the end of 2007 to start my own golf business and went back to the Island in May 2015. My first mandatory visit was to see my own "baby" after 7 long years and I can say it was a very nostalgic day. I was received great, treated like a king and many of my crew workers on the course were still working there and came to say hello which was very emotional. After that I managed to play 18 holes and I can say I was as nervous as playing a scratch competition in Argentina. It is crazy, but when you love the game and you build a course, it is like your own son. I played decently without making a putt to score 75 (+3) and hitting some good shots. Many memories of my 2 years living there came across during the game and I had to hold strong not to release some tears. After that a nice lunch and back to some other courses I played. The course was in very good shape, greens rolling as true as I left them and despite wide fairways, the course still mantains that challenge to score around the greens. It will never have the marketing and nice views of Corales and Punta Espada, but this is a great course to enjoy a round of golf. Island par 3s 13th and 15th have grown mature to be the 2 best holes on the course, but par 4s 3rd and 5th are also amazing designs by Nick Price. I hope to go back some other day, but this round of golf was very special!