2011 Tournament and Travel Information

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The CGA staff looks forward to seeing everyone for the CGA Island Four-Ball Getaway Tournament from February 15-19, 2011. Please note that the CGA staff will not arrive at Casa de Campo until late-afternoon on Tuesday, February 15. If you need assistance prior to our arrival or after February 19, please contact Carolina Montesino, Liondy Jaquez or Gilles Gagnon in the golf office.

Please find below information that we have accumulated through the years to help with your journey. This should answer most of your questions about the trip.

Travel to the Dominican Republic and Casa de Campo

AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES: It appears that airlines may be charging a higher fee for luggage.  You may want to check with your airline about any new baggage fees that may be charged in particular for oversize bags like golf club cases.

PASSPORT/TOURIST CARD: For entry into the Dominican Republic, a valid passport is required. A $10 Tourist Card must be purchased upon arrival at an airport in the Dominican Republic. Please bring cash (US$ is accepted) to pay this fee. You will buy the tourist card and then immediately hand it in at immigration.

SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM AIRPORTS TO RESORT: Transportation to and from La Romana Airport (LRM), Santo Domingo (SDQ) and  Punta Cana (PUJ) airports are included in the package. Tropical Tours is the shuttle provider for Casa de Campo Resort.

Casa de Campo has been given your airline information and has arranged shuttle pick-up at your arrival airport. Once you have retrieved your luggage and cleared Dominican customs, look for Tropical Tours with your name or group name (Carolinas Golf Association) outside the airport terminal. The resort phone number is 888-212-5073 or 809-523-3333 and Tropical Tours phone numbers are 809-523-2028 or 2029.

LUGGAGE HANDLING: Be advised that as you leave the airport terminal you will be asked by Dominican locals to assist with your luggage for a tip. If you need their help, keep an eye on your luggage and then tip the person once you have reached the shuttle bus/van. If you do not need their assistance then a simple “No Gracias” or “No Necessito” will be sufficient. Same process applies for departures. Usually the shuttle bus driver and coordinator at the airport will expect a tip.

Casa de Campo Resort Information
ABOUT CASA DE CAMPO RESORT: 54-holes of championship golf, horseback riding, skeet shooting, tennis, deep-sea fishing and beach access. Also, the hill-top Mediterranean village, Altos de Chavon, is nearby for sightseeing and shopping. Transportation to Altos de Chavon and all other Casa de Campo properties and venues are available through the resort. Additional information may be found at www.casadecampo.cc. Transportation to nearby casino gambling is available through the resort for a fee.

RESORT CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT: Resort Check-in is 3:00pm; Check-Out is 12:00pm. If you have made certain lodging requests, make sure they have been honored prior to leaving the front desk at check-in. Package begins at check-in and ends at check-out.

FOOD AND DRINK: With the all-inclusive package, three meals a day and unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available at all included hotel restaurants and bars. You will be asked to sign a receipt after each drink, snack or meal that will list the items in US$ and you can add an optional tip. You will not be billed for that amount since you are on the all-inclusive plan unless you add an additional tip which will be billed to your room. The receipts are necessary for their internal accounting. A list of included restaurants and bars is below. Your package for food and drinks begins at check-in and ends when you check-out. Items from golf course beverage carts are not included so make sure you get a bottle of water to go at breakfast or stop at the 19th Hole Bar/Dye Fore Snack Bar when you make the turn if you want to avoid any charges. The caddie master will place one bottle of water per player in your golf cart. Dinner reservations are highly recommended and are required at some restaurants. Reservations can be made by calling the concierge desk in advance or upon arrival.

Restaurants/Bars Included in Package:

Breakfast

Lago Grill (main resort area)

Lunch

Lago Grill (main resort area)

19^th Hole Bar (golf clubhouse)

The Beach Club (beach)

Chinois (marina)

Dye Fore Snack Bar (Dye Fore course)

Dinner (*Dinner reservations are highly recommended)

The Beach Club (beach)

La Casita (marina)

La Piazetta (Altos)

Chinois (marina)  

La Caña Bar & Lounge by Le Cirque (main resort area)

Room Service ($7.00 delivery charge) 

Bars

Coco Mar (beach)

Main Area Pool Bar (main resort area)

19^th Hole (golf clubhouse)

La Caña Bar & Lounge by Le Cirque (main resort area)

La Terraza Bar (tennis)

*note that on-course beverage carts are NOT included in the package.

DRINKING THE TAP WATER: Brushing your teeth is fine. Drinking from the tap is not advisable. Bottled water is widely available and highly recommended.

MINI-BAR (in-room): Mini-bar items are NOT included in the package and are billed to your room.

SAFE: Each room has a safe where you can store your valuables. You will be able to program the safe using your own four-digit code. We highly recommend that you store any valuables in the safe.

EXTRA HOTEL NIGHTS: For those staying extra nights at Casa de Campo, the cost is $269 per person/double occupancy or $389/single occupancy (includes hotel, meals, drinks and taxes). You will pay this fee directly to the resort and it will appear on your room-bill at check-out. Extra rounds of golf are available and included in your package day(s).  Rounds of golf outside of your package day(s) are available for $100 per person plus 16% tax.  *Make sure to check your bill and ensure that you are receiving the correct rate(s) prior to check-out.

TIPPING/GRATUITIES: Gratuities for most services are included in the package, HOWEVER, please take care of the bellmen that assist you with your luggage and we suggest a small extra tip at dinner based upon your level of service. Also, speaking from experience, a dollar tip here and there goes a long way, especially at the beach, pool, and bars.

CURRENCY: The U.S. Dollar and Dominican Republic Pesos are used everywhere on the property. Away from Casa de Campo, Pesos will be needed. Casa de Campo can exchange currency. Right now the current exchange rate is around 12 Pesos to US $1. It would be wise to bring $1.00 and $5.00 bills for any additional gratuities instead of exchanging your money for pesos. You may use credit cards for purchasing items such as gifts, but the exchange rate given by the credit card companies is sometimes 20% less (not in your favor) and most companies charge 2-5% for an “international currency exchange” fee. Cash is best for shopping purchases.

DRESS CODE: Resort casual for breakfast and lunch. Appropriate golf attire required on the golf course. “Caribbean chic” is the appropriate dress code enforced during dinner. No jeans, tank tops or shorts. Jackets are not required for gentlemen.

WEATHER: In February, it should average in the low to mid-80’s by day and perhaps get into the low 60’s at night. The beach is used year-round. Sun is very strong as we will be near the equator so please bring any necessary sun block items.

PHONE CALLS TO U.S.: A small charge per phone call from hotel rooms will be required when a calling card is used. Check with your long-distance company on rates. We do not recommend dialing direct.

INTERNET ACCESS: Wireless Internet is available for free in the hotel lobby and for $15.00/day in hotel rooms. The business center is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, Sunday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

RESORT TRANSPORTATION: Shuttles run all day to all points in the resort complex. You may use your personal golf cart to travel around the resort (except to Altos and Marina due to the distance). One resort golf cart per room is included in your package. You will use the club’s golf carts during rounds of golf.

THINGS TO DO (included in the package): Fitness center and the beach are available.

MORE THINGS TO DO (fees vary): Tennis, massages and spa services, horseback riding, skeet shooting, dancing lessons, tennis lessons, golf lessons, shopping, deep-sea fishing, and water sports are offered. Boat rental and river cruises are also available. Casino gambling is nearby and transportation to and from the Casino can be arranged through the resort for a fee.

Golf Information
CADDIES: Casa de Campo has a great caddie program where several caddies are available daily. Caddies are mandatory at Teeth of the Dog course only. Each group can share one caddie and split the $40 caddie fee which includes tip (equals $10 per player). Caddies are paid directly in cash. Caddies are optional while playing Dye Fore and The Links.

GOLF CARTS: Golf cart use is mandatory. NO WALKING!

CLUB STORAGE: The club will store and clean your clubs each night. It is included in your package. You may keep clubs in your room as well.

TOURNAMENT TEE TIMES: First and second round tee times are available on the CGA website. Final round tee times will be available at the scoreboard 1 hour following the second round.

PRACTICE RANGE/PUTTING GREEN: Practice range balls are included in the golf package. You may have to check-in with the golf shop to receive token(s). The putting green is located adjacent to the golf clubhouse and practice range. There is not a practice range or putting green at Dye Fore.

SHUTTLE TO DYE FORE: The Links and Teeth of the Dog courses are located at the main golf clubhouse area of the resort. Carts will be staged adjacent to the practice putting green. Dye Fore course is about a 15 minute shuttle ride from the main golf area. The Dye Fore shuttle will pick-up players at the practice range. Make sure you are there 30-45 minutes ahead of your tee time.

LOCKER ROOMS: Men’s and women’s locker rooms are available in the main golf clubhouse. Shoe shine service is available for a nominal fee.

Checklist of Items to Bring
____ Passport
____ $US Cash for tips, Tourist Card ($10/person) and caddie at Teeth of the Dog ($10/player or $15-$25/day plus      tip)
____ Sun block
____ Lip Balm
____ Golf Clubs/Balls/Tees
____ Golf Shoes
____ Sunglasses
____ Bathing Suit
____ Camera
____ Prescriptions/Medications
____ Golf Attire
____ Casual Resort/Dinner Attire

____ Personal Bathroom Items (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)

Tournament Information

FORMAT: Format is 54-holes of four-ball stroke play. 90% course handicap with a maximum of 30 strokes. Gross and net prizes are awarded in each flight. Championship division (Men=6500 yards, Women=5000 yards) or Tournament division (Men=6000 yards, Women=5000 yards). Field has been pre-flighted according to team handicap computed by adding 2/3 low handicap index to 1/3 high handicap index.  Teams will be repaired within divisions for final round. Make sure to switch score cards with your fellow competitors prior to play each round.

TEES TO PLAY:

Dye Fore: Championship Men=Blue; Tournament Men=White; All Women=Red

The Links: Championship Men=Gold ; Tournament Men=Blue; All Women=Red

Teeth of the Dog: Championship Men=Blue; Tournament Men=White; All Women=Red

Further course information available at http://www.casadecampogolfevents.com/

RULES: USGA Rules of Golf govern play. Local rules will be distributed prior to play. The Carolinas Golf Association reserves the right to alter the conditions or schedules as stated, including alteration of the stipulated round at any time during the championship. The competition is be deemed to have closed when all scores have been verified.

PACE OF PLAY: Each group is expected to stay in position with the group ahead of you. To assist with pace of play, please pick-up if you are out of the hole and cannot assist your partner. Typically the pace of play at Dye Fore is between 5-6 hours so anything you can do to keep a good pace is appreciated. Pace of play on The Links and Teeth of the Dog courses are generally much better. We do not recommend ordering sandwiches at the turn as this could take 10-15 minutes. Get a quick drink/snack and keep moving. Please plan your food needs accordingly during tournament rounds.

PRIZES: Merchandise (redeemable at Casa de Campo Pro Shop) will be awarded to winners at the conclusion of the competition. Merchandise will be distributed in each division based upon the number of entries.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE/ITINERARY:
February 15:     Arrive at Casa de Campo. Optional practice round available.

                            6:30pm Shuttle leaves front desk/concierge for Minitas Beach (You may also drive your golf cart)

    6:45pm Cocktails at Minitas Beach (on beach).

    7:30pm Dinner/Pairings Party at Minitas Beach (on beach).

February 16:     Round One, Dye Fore course (8:00am-9:39am #1 and #10 tees).         

February 17:     Round Two, The Links course (7:30am-9:09am #1 and #10 tees).

                            Field re-paired by gross score for final round within division.

February 18:     Final Round, Teeth of the Dog course (7:30am-9:09am #1 and #10 tees). 

    Awards ceremony immediately following play at 19^th Hole Bar.

    Optional 6:30pm Farewell cocktail party (La Cana Bar).

February 19:     Depart Casa de Campo (on-own).
 

Departures and Getting Home

CHECKING OUT: It is highly advised to try and check-out early the day of your departure. The line at check-out can be very long and slow. Your departure shuttle is on a schedule so make sure to give yourself ample time at check-out. Your bill will be available the night before for inspection. Trying to get a charge reversed once you have left the resort is very difficult. Late check-out may be available if you request it in advance. Late check-out is always available for a fee. If you check-out at the regular time, your bags will be tagged and held at the bell stand until your departure.

DEPARTURE AIRPORT SHUTTLE: A schedule listing all departure shuttle times will be available following the final round at the scoreboard. Shuttles will leave from the front desk bell stand area.

LUGGAGE HANDLING: Be advised that when you arrive at the airport terminal you, luggage porters will probably handle your luggage. If you need their help, keep an eye on your luggage and then tip the person once you have reached the check-in line. Luggage will go through screening first prior to entering the airport terminal. If you do not need their assistance then a simple “No Gracias” or “No Necessito” will be sufficient. Usually the shuttle bus driver and coordinator at the airport will expect a tip along with the luggage porters.

CUSTOMS: You will need to clear customs when leaving the Dominican Republic and complete a customs form that must be presented at security.

Upon arrival in the U.S., you will need to retrieve your luggage at baggage claim, clear U.S. customs and re-check luggage (if you have a connecting flight). The published limit on items purchased outside the United States is $400. Airports have duty-free shopping.

 Important Phone Numbers

Casa de Campo Resort: 888-212-5073 or 809-523-3333           

Tropical Tours: 809-523-2028 or 2029