Construction is in progress on a new golf course designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design for Vistas del Pedregal Golf & Country Club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“We have created a unique golfer experience at every hole at Vistas del Pedregal by working with what Mother Nature gave us,” said Norman. “This approach bleeds into the overall philosophy of the entire development. I am honoured to have the opportunity to leave a unique fingerprint in the Dominican Republic and enable future generations to experience the benefits of what an integrated golf and country club can offer.”

The project is Norman’s first in the Dominican Republic. The site is in a mountainous area in the south of the country close to the capital city, Santo Domingo. It is surrounded by tropical forests and features dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views of mountains and ravines.

Norman’s firm says it is aiming to develop the natural flow of the topography and to incorporate the native vegetation and natural surrounds into the golf landscape. It adds: “The design focuses on a least disturbance approach and regeneration of the existing landscape, including the care and enhancement of creeks and streams and rescue of endemic flora with reinsertion back into the microsystems of the project.” Organic products will be used to maintain the course and an automated irrigation system is to be installed, which focuses on optimal water use.

Bulk earthworks and Rain Bird irrigation are underway. Grupo Malespin began construction on the 1.1 million square-metre site in autumn 2018. The 18-hole golf course, learning centre and short game complex is expected to be complete in late 2019.

The course will be grassed with Latitude bermuda on fairways, roughs and tees and TifEagle bermuda on greens.

“Vistas del Pedregal is one-of-a-kind in the Dominican Republic, born with the purpose of giving added value to the traditional concept of social and sports clubs,” said Marcos Malespin, president of Vistas del Pedregal Golf & Country Club. “Greg Norman Golf Course Design is a world-class partner and adds tremendous value to the project – we are thrilled to have Greg and his team onboard.”