Central Romana team wins DR Open ProAm

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On Wednesday May 14th, the DR Open in Casa de Campo was officially inaugurated with the ProAm golf tournament, which was won by the team of golfers representing the Central Romana Corporation; Juan Velásquez, Julio Zeller and Carlixto Gabriel playing with professional golfer Nelson Ledesma from Argentina. With the participation of approximately 100 golfers from across the world, the golfers of the DR Open ProAm teed off around the Teeth of the Dog at 9am. Each group of 4 consisted of 3 amateur golfers, mostly familiar faces of the Dominican golfing community, and 1 professional golfer competing in the DR Open. The DR Open golf tournament, being organised by the Dominican Federation of Golf (FEDOGOLF) is the 7th stop of the NEC Series – PGA Tour Latinoamérica, and is the first time the Casa de Campo resort has hosted a professional golf tournament.  As the ProAm golf tournament was part of the DR Open, which is a PGA event, the professional golfers were not permitted to use golf carts, and instead walked the entire 18 holes of the Teeth of the Dog, while the 3 amateurs playing alongside them were permitted to use their carts, as was the press, much to my relief!  Among the professional golfers taking part in the DR Open ProAm was Marcelo Rozo of Colombia, who is currently the leader of the NEC Series – PGA Tour Latinoamérica, having won more than US$43,000 so far. Marcelo Rozo played alongside Lino Guerrero, Miguel Ferry and Luis Velásquez and his team came in 23rd place with a net score of 58. 

Lino Guerrero, Marcelo Rozo, Miguel Ferry and Luis Velásquez

Also competing with local Dominican golfers in the ProAm was William Kropp from the USA, David Vanegas from Venezuela, Daniel Mazziota and Rick Cochran III both from the US, who are currently ranked in positions 2 through 5 respectively.   At the end of a beautiful morning on the Teeth of the Dog, the Central Romana team; Juan Velásquez, Julio Zeller and Carlixto Gabriel playing with professional golfer Nelson Ledesma from Argentina were pronounced the winners with an impressive score of just 51 strokes (net). Coming in second was the team of Brad Hopfinger from the US, playing with Fernando Villanueva, Juan Oller and Amilcar Kalaf, and the team of Lucho Dodda from Argentina playing with Pepe Oliva, Michael Espino and Robert Guerra came in third.

Juan Velasquez teeing off at hole 13, Teeth of the Dog

The winners of the DR Open ProAm golf tournament received their trophies on Wednesday evening at the DR Open welcome gala, where Pete Dye, golf course architect of the Teeth of the Dog was inducted into the Dominican Golf Hall of Fame, becoming the first non-Dominican to receive this honor! All our photos of this occasion will be published soon. Today, Friday May 16th marks the second day of the championship rounds of the DR Open in Casa de Campo. Yesterday morning, the 144 professional golfers teed off around the Teeth of the Dog from as early as 7am, again on foot. At the end of the day, the least successful players were eliminated from the competition.

Julian Etulian teeing off at hole #7, Teeth of the Dog

The remaining players teed off again this morning, and championship rounds will continue Saturday and Sunday. Each day part of the group of professionals will be eliminated from the tournament until on Sunday only 55 finalists remain. These 55 finalists will each win part of the US$150,000 prize money, while the overall winner of the DR Open in Casa de Campo will take home a grand total of US$25,000.    If you would like to watch the DR Open in Casa de Campo, please see below for details. The following collection of photos were taken during the DR Open ProAm golf tournament in Casa de Campo, played on Wednesday May 14th on the Teeth of the Dog in Casa de Campo: 

DR Open golf tournament: Event Schedule

Monday May 12th 9am: Qualifying round for unranked players on the Teeth of the Dog Tuesday May 13th 7:30am – 5pm: Practice rounds on the Teeth of the Dog Wednesday May 14th 9am: ProAm tournament on the Teeth of the Dog 2pm: Practice rounds on the Teeth of the Dog 7pm: Welcome dinner and inductions into the Dominican Golf Hall of Fame Thursday May 15th 7am: First tournament round on the Teeth of the Dog Friday May 16th 7am: Second tournament round on the Teeth of the Dog Saturday May 17th 7am: Third tournament round on the Teeth of the Dog Sunday May 18th 7am: Final tournament round on the Teeth of the Dog, followed by the prize-giving

How to enjoy the DR Open in Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo villa owners All Casa de Campo villa owners and residents are welcome to come and watch any or all of the tournament rounds of the DR Open in Casa de Campo. Throughout the contest, volunteers will be on the Teeth of the Dog directing and helping people who wish to watch. Instructions and rules from the PGA will be enforced. A few key rules to be aware of:

• Golf carts will not be allowed on the Teeth of the Dog throughout the DR Open. In this type of event it is customary for spectators to walk around the course. However, for those who prefer not to walk the entire 18 holes, there will be designated golf cart parking areas near the entrance to many holes, so that you can drive along the road and then walk onto the course.
• Spectators may not approach the professional players for autographs or photographs during a round.
• All telephones must be on silent.

Outside guests

• Visitors not staying within the Casa de Campo resort, will be able to gain access by showing a valid photo ID.
• These guests will then park at the Casa de Campo polo fields, from where they will be transported to the Teeth of the Dog golf course.
• Once at the Teeth of the Dog golf course, guests are invited to walk around the course and enjoy the contest.

If you have any questions about enjoying the DR Open golf tournament in Casa de Campo, please contact: (809) 523 8115