TOP LEFT : No . 1 at Ballyliffin Golf Club ABOVE : Portstewart LEFT : No . 4 at Royal County Down
tropical weather at that time of year , and the year ’ s second month is the perfect time for a winter getaway .
Located in La Romana on the southeast coast of the island nation , Casa de Campo is an all-inclusive resort that features one of the Caribbean ’ s most decorated courses : Pete Dye ’ s Teeth of the Dog , which was built along the dramatic Dominican coastline and features seven holes along the water and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea . The course ’ s signature hole , the par-3 5th , requires a shot over the water to a small green surrounded by the sea .
Two rounds on Teeth of the Dog , the resort ’ s signature course , are included in the VSGA member trip itinerary . To fill the rest of your time , the package includes unlimited golf on the resort ’ s two other courses : the Links and Dye Fore ( along with one round on Dye Fore with the VSGA group ).
Dye Fore features three distinct nines : Chavon , Marina and Lagos . Chavon features five cliffside holes dropping 300 feet . Marina plays down the Chavon River and offers panoramic views of the Caribbean and the Marina at Casa de Campo . The 18-hole Links course offers wide fairways , water views , and playability for players of all skill levels .
NORTHERN IRELAND ( Aug . 28-Sept . 4 ) Looking for an advance look at the host venue for the 2025 Open Championship ? Join the VSGA for this trip , which features five rounds of golf — including one at Royal Portrush Golf Club . Shane Lowry earned Champion Golfer of the Year honors in 2019 the last time the Open visited this historic venue . Royal Portrush remains the only Open rota venue located in Northern Ireland .
For the third straight year , the VSGA is partnering with Sullivan Golf Travel for a trip . The first two trips , including one earlier this year , took members through a host of famous venues in southwest Ireland , including renowned courses like Ballybunion Old , Lahinch , and Old Head Golf Links .
Four of the courses on the 2024 trip are located in the United Kingdom in Northern Ireland , with Ardglass , Royal County Down , and Portstewart joining Royal Portrush . This trip also features one course on the northern tip of Ireland , Ballyliffin , which was established in 1947 and has rapidly gained acclaim as one of the finest golf clubs in the world .
Both courses at Ballyliffin — Glashedy Links and The Old Links — have hosted European Tour events . It even earns the endorsement of PGA Tour superstar Rory McIlroy , who says “ Ballyliffin ’ s two courses are a must play on any golf trip to Ireland .”
This is a seven-night trip with five nights in the Galgorm Hotel & Spa and two more at the Slieve Donard Hotel , both in Northern Ireland .
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COURSES
34 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2023 vsga . org