Dorado Beach's East Course: Puerto Rico's Most Storied Golf Course

The famed East Course at the Dorado Beach Resort and Club traces its roots back to the earliest days of Puerto Rico tourism. The resort was the brainchild of Laurence Rockefeller, grandson of John D. Rockefeller, who made Dorado a world-famous destination. In its heyday, Dorado Beach welcomed celebrities like Joe DiMaggio, Dwight Eisenhower and JFK. Even today, it's popular with A-listers who come seeking one of Puerto Rico's most pristine natural environments. The course has also challenged some of the game's greats, including Puerto Rico native Chi-Chi Rodriguez, who worked at the club in the '60s. The original 18-hole course was designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1958. It was enlarged to its 36-hole, famed duo of East and West Courses in 1966. Dorado Beach offers two additional courses: the Plantation Sugarcane Course and Plantation Pineapple Course.

Dorado's East Course isn't just on my list of best golf courses in Puerto Rico; it's frequently found on the list of best courses on the planet; in fact, Jack Nicklaus once ranked its 4th hole as one of the top ten holes in the world. And it's better than ever following a renovation that closed the course for 18 months; it only reopened in November 2012. One of the architects of the renovation was none other than Robert Trent Jones II. The restoration includes:

• Tee adjustments.
• Landscaping and pruning to provide more spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean (you can now see the ocean from 15 of the 18 holes).
• A return to original form and the design philosophy of Robert Trent Jones, Sr. This included getting back to the original green sizes and configurations, bringing back the "runway tee" style, and renovating and contouring the bunkers to their original style and shot value.
• Washing and screening the sand to meet USGA specifications.
• Repositioning bunkers to account for modern equipment.
• New fairway areas that give players more shot options.
• Rebuilt and resurfaced putting greens with ultra-dwarf Champion Bermuda grass.
• Inputting an entirely new irrigation system.

The East Course has always held special regard among golfers pro and amateur. Its natural beauty and challenging holes have been enhanced, and a commitment to Robert Trent Jones, Sr.'s original vision has been front and center in the minds of the people behind the renovation.

The result is a gorgeous 18-hole, par 72 championship course built on low wetlands with sweeping ocean views. The course now spans almost 7,200 yards, making it scenic and spacious. Its back-to-form redesign offers excellent shot variety. As for that Par-5 4th hole, it's known as the "Z" hole because its reverse Z-shaped fairway zigzags around water hazards. The Par-5 14th also ranks among the toughest holes on the course.

Through March 2012, the rates at the East Course are as follows:

• 18-Hole Resort: $250
• Resort Twilight (after 1:00pm): $185
• Super Twilight (after 3:00pm): $100
• Junior (16 and under): $75.00

The rate includes golf cart, tax and range balls. You can also rent clubs from $59 per person, and pay $10 for range balls if you aren't playing a round. To book a tee time, call the clubhouse at 787-626-1010.

The redesign of the course is the first step in a concerted effort to usher in a renaissance for Dorado, and a return to its former glory as one of the world's elite resort destinations. Currently underway is the construction of a new Ritz-Carlton Reserve (take a sneak peek), the first Reserve property in the Americas and only the second worldwide, after Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand. It will be the second Ritz-Carlton property in Puerto Rico, following the elegant Ritz-Carlton, San Juan.

The East Course is back, and better than ever ... or maybe just the way Robert Trent Jones, Sr. always envisioned it.