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Jason Topp

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Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog New
« on: February 24, 2012, 10:53:43 AM »
A tall teenager steps into the batting cage.  He has the grace of an athlete and it is obvious from his movements and size why he is considered a prospect.  Other participants have sprayed balls all over the field.  This prospect, however, has a loop in his swing so severe that batting practice fastballs expose it such that he either misses entirely or pops the ball weakly to the top of the batting cage.  The instructor tries to get him to hit balls on the ground but the loop remains.  

I am sitting in a small set of bleachers at the Milwaukee Brewers’ Dominican development camp.  From the perspective of a Midwestern suburbanite, the place seems Spartan – 6 beds to a room, a remote location with farm fields all around, a weight room with minimal equipment and baseball fields that are well maintained but look a bit worn around the edges.  For the participants, the place is a luxury.  Air conditioning exists.  Food is nutritious and plentiful.  The staff includes a fitness trainer, medical staff and top quality coaching.  The club provides training in English and other skills hoping to make the transition to the minor leagues more achievable.  Players throughout the country hope to be signed by a major league club and included in a facility such as this.

The pressure these players feel must be tremendous.  Their lives consist of baseball training 6 days a week – practice in the morning, followed by a game followed by individualized skill work and physical training.  Of 35 players in this camp, 13 are soon headed to minor league spring training.  There they will hope to make the Arizona Instructional Rookie League.  A similar number from that league will advance to a regular Rookie League Team.  After that, low A, high A, double A and Triple A stand as obstacles to the major leagues.  Failure at any level means a return to home.

Home in the Dominican Republic looks to be a difficult challenge for most.  Kids play in the ruins of a shack by swinging sticks at each other. Signs of poverty and violence lurk.  

Driving involves a wide variety of vehicles following two rules – don’t swerve and the bigger vehicle has the right of way.  You do not swerve because of a never ending series of mopeds and small motorcycles darting around the car.  The right of way rule applies regardless of road signs.  I am thrilled to see my first stoplight and surprised to see the cars respond by accelerating. Stopping at a red light can be perilous because such action is unexpected – somewhat like stopping on an entrance ramp to a freeway in the U.S.  Everyone seems friendly on the road but after watching one kid on a bike pull out a large handgun, I find it a bit more serious.



The baseball facility reminds me of a place where children are given the chance to lead a productive life that is not dependent on their baseball skill.  Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) gives children from extraordinarily difficult circumstances a home, food, education and love.  The organization is tremendously successful with such efforts and my family regularly visits their homes located in countries throughout Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  

The purpose of our visit is to meet two children we sponsor in NPH’s Dominican home – Esterlín and Anna Maria.  Esterlín is 11 years old, small, loves soccer and has a gang of friends that are rambunctious and friendly. Marks on his head bear testament to a difficult early childhood.  Anna Maria is ten, very shy and timid.  Her caretakers report that four sentences a day are her maximum – residue from parental neglect.  

Esterlín and my son McKinley:


Anna Maria and my daughter Samantha:


 We attend a wedding with the children, and enjoy a celebratory dinner and awkward communication.  I resort to old parent tricks of rock paper scissors and a game where everyone puts their hands on a pile and the bottom one moves to the top.  It is unclear what Anna Maria thinks of us and at one point she leaves us.  We look around for her and she returns holding a friend’s hand and instructs her friend to give each of us a hug.  She then brings her friend back and returns with another.  She repeats the process until we had hugged about a dozen little girls.  

We return the next day and all of us are more comfortable with each other.  The boys bring my son and me to their baseball field for a sandlot game.  My 45 year-old shoulder no longer is capable of a throw from third to first.  After a couple of hours we transfer to the soccer field and I learn I stink at soccer and am out of shape.  

I must admit that the motivation for sponsoring these kids is not entirely charitable.  When I was a child my mother bought The World Atlas of Golf as a coffee table book.  The name Cajuiles struck me as magic.  The idea of seven holes jutting out into the ocean seemed beyond comprehension.  Ever since that time, I dreamed of playing the Teeth of the Dog and recognized that the Casa de Campo resort was not far from the NPH home.  

Bryan Izatt Profile:  http://www.golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/bryan-izatt-review-of-teeth-of-the-dog-casa-de-campo/
Mike Hamilton Photo Tour   http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47533.0.html

The Teeth of the Dog design takes a simple concept – greens jutting out into the ocean – and varies the concept such one does not notice repetition.  The fifth hole involves a short iron to a small green with the wind behind and from the left.  The seventh required a hybrid to a comparatively larger green with sufficient slope such that a bailout right leaves a difficult two putt.  The 17th is more intimidating – requiring a midiron into the wind to a green angled left to right.  Sprinkled among those holes are a variety of par fours ranging from short to long and with a variety of green complexes that avoid repetition.

The inland holes feature sound strategic designs that will be familiar to those that have played Pete Dye’s best courses.  The par fives are particularly good as they range in distance from easily reachable to a tabletop green perched high above grade to a long par five uphill to a green benched in a hillside.  

I played with a couple from New York that had a very enjoyable approach to golf.  After a bad shot or two, they picked up.  Neither was a strong player but both were a pleasure to spend time with.  My caddie was of the highest quality and has a son who is a baseball player and is a former shortstop himself.  He easily handled my errant ball tosses on the greens.  

One drawback to a famed resort course is the fact that a large number of very poor golfers need to get around the course.  No doubt due to this practical consideration, large waste areas were maintained without edging and with a small amount of sand such that an errant shot generally skipped through.  The greens were also heavily watered so that any iron shot landing on the green was sure to stop.  I suspect the course would be much more interesting with different maintenance practices.  

Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo is my February course of the month.   Our family has a general rule that we never travel to the same destination twice.  That rule will be broken in this instance.  I look forward to returning again soon to see Esterlín, Anna Maria, winter baseball and feeling the warm breezes off the Caribbean Sea.  I hope the kid in the batting cage gets the loop out of his swing.  I am more optimistic about Esterlín and Anna Maria’s prospects.  

If you are interested in supporting children such as Esterlín and Anna Maria, follow this link:  
http://www.friendsoftheorphans.org/s/769/start.aspx

You will find the experience worthwhile regardless of whether you visit Casa de Campo:

« Last Edit: March 03, 2012, 12:30:06 AM by Jason Topp »

Jason Topp

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Re: Topp Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2012, 10:59:47 AM »
I decided to break this thread up this year to make it easier on the reader.  Here is a link to my January installment on May River:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50993.0.html

Dan Kelly

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Re: Topp Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2012, 11:06:51 AM »
This is why, after absences of various lengths, I will always come back to golfclubatlas.com.

Thanks, Jason. You're doing outstanding work with your kids.

Great stuff -- and a bit of golf, too.
"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

Shane Wright

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2012, 12:14:55 PM »
Jason, very well done! I just recently watched the Shell's series from Teeth of the Dog with Raymond Floyd and Fred Couples.  On TV, the shots into the oceanside greens on the par's threes looked extremely intimidating. Did you feel the bailout areas were fair/sufficient? I would love to get there someday.

I particularly loved the story behind the trip.  Great work both with the charity, and a glimpse of what life is like there.  Baseball is religion in the Dominican.   There is talk of adding the Dominican Republic to the MLB draft which would probably have a negative financial impact on Dominican players.

As a quick side story, one year in spring training in Florida, the GM came out with a handful of cash.  I believe it was $500.  He announced that he wanted the 5 fastest ballplayers in camp to line up and have a 60 yard race for the cash.  4 of the ballplayers were Domincan.  As the ballplayers lined up, the intensity and chatter coming from everyone was crazy.  In GCA speak, it would have been like lining up a couple of guys from this forum for a tee time at Augusta followed by a flight and tee time at CPC.  As expected, a Dominican won the race (wasn't even close) and was put on a pedastal amongst his peers.  The respect that Dominicans give their ballplayers is probably unmatched anywhere in the world (regarding baseball).  For many, baseball has been a golden ticket for them, their parents, family, and friends.  Thank you for sharing your story, I'd love to hear more sometime.


Jason Topp

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2012, 12:24:17 PM »
Jason, very well done! I just recently watched the Shell's series from Teeth of the Dog with Raymond Floyd and Fred Couples.  On TV, the shots into the oceanside greens on the par's threes looked extremely intimidating. Did you feel the bailout areas were fair/sufficient? I would love to get there someday.


Shane - I wondered about the same thing but I found the course very playable.  On the par threes and fours the fairways are wide.  The fifth green is small but it is a short iron shot and there is some rough and a bunker short to provide some relief.  The seventh has a a lot of bailout room right and the green is big.  It is also downwind.  The most intimidating tee shot was on the back nine (16 maybe?) which plays like number 12 at Augusta but at around 170 yards from the tees I used.  I pushed that one a bit but hit it solid and the wind brought the ball back 10 feet from the pin. 

I felt like a low score was available and read an interview with the pro that confused me beforehand.  He said that most people leave thinking they should have shot a much lower score than they did.  I felt the same way at the end of the round.  That sort of hope is the formula for a good golf course in my opinion.

Jason Topp

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2012, 12:31:32 PM »
The respect that Dominicans give their ballplayers is probably unmatched anywhere in the world (regarding baseball).  For many, baseball has been a golden ticket for them, their parents, family, and friends.  Thank you for sharing your story, I'd love to hear more sometime.

I loved the baseball stories that were everywhere with a little digging.  Many of the major league players do wonderful things for their country.

The Brewers had a terrific facility and program but from this Time Magazine article there is certainly a dark side to the system:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2004099,00.html


Bruce Wellmon

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2012, 12:47:14 PM »
Jason, You dog. Teeth of the Dog remains near the top of my wish list.
                                                                                                    BW

Dan Kelly

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2012, 12:51:14 PM »
The respect that Dominicans give their ballplayers is probably unmatched anywhere in the world (regarding baseball).  For many, baseball has been a golden ticket for them, their parents, family, and friends.  Thank you for sharing your story, I'd love to hear more sometime.


Shane (et al.) --

Not to dispute your observation, but just to suggest another place where ballplayers are gods (Cuba) and to recommend a book to you, if you haven't read it: "Pitching Around Fidel: A Journey into the Heart of Cuban Sports." You'd enjoy it.

Forgot to give the writer's name. It's S.L. Price. He's a good one.

Dan
« Last Edit: February 24, 2012, 01:35:34 PM by Dan Kelly »
"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

Shane Wright

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2012, 01:13:07 PM »

Dan, your recommendation is much appreciated.  I just ordered the book.  It looks fantastic.  

Jason -thanks for the link to the article, will read it a little later on today.

Shane

Mike Hamilton

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2012, 01:30:02 PM »
Great post Jason.

I loved TOTD and also enjoyed the other Casa de Campo Dye courses.  The back 9 (I think) of the Dye Forre was pretty bold and unique.

The Dom Rep is beautiful in February, and the ocean views and breezes on Teeth are fantastic.  I agree that it is very playable.

Great work you are doing there as well.  I have been there twice for business and have had the luxury of always being escorted by someone local but would be a bit intimidated on my own.  The economic disparity is painful to see....and is even more exaggerrated when you enter a resort like Casa de Campo.

Thanks

« Last Edit: February 24, 2012, 07:00:36 PM by Mike Hamilton »

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2012, 01:31:29 PM »
Did McKinley ever decide where he's going in the fall?

Jason Topp

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2012, 01:38:55 PM »
Did McKinley ever decide where he's going in the fall?

He is going back to high school.  He is junior this year trying to get ready for the ACT.

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2012, 01:40:39 PM »
Did McKinley ever decide where he's going in the fall?

He is going back to high school.  He is junior this year trying to get ready for the ACT.

Then he was looking at school real early. Tell him to come down this way, he comes to Texas and when Dad comes and visit the golf and Coors Light is on me.

Shane Wright

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2012, 03:23:19 PM »
Did McKinley ever decide where he's going in the fall?

He is going back to high school.  He is junior this year trying to get ready for the ACT.

Then he was looking at school real early. Tell him to come down this way, he comes to Texas and when Dad comes and visit the golf and Coors Light is on me.

as long as he doesn't become a Longhorn  :)

Bill_McBride

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2012, 06:36:45 PM »
Jason, it's stories like this that make me look forward to visiting with you at our golf events.   Thanks for sharing this cool trip to the DR.   

Charlie Visconsi

Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2012, 08:23:56 PM »
 I was down at Casa da Campo two weeks ago and really enjoyed the course.  Played the course twice.  It really is a spectacular course (7 holes along the ocean).  It was very fair for a Pete Dye course; lots of room off the fairways and pinching in near the greens.  Some very very difficult hole locations on greens.  My caddies were great;  it was a weird thing that they go and find people to caddy for on the practice tee -- making a very entrepreneurial caddy force.  One of the guys I played golf with both days found his caddy by getting directions from him near the private La Romana club and then taking him personally to Teeth and then caddying for him for 3 or 4 days.

It is also a very reasonable price for a high caliber course -- $200 plus caddy fees at peak time.  I would strongly recommend a visit for anyone near or in the DR.  My wife also really like the entire facility which made me playing golf much more easily.

Anthony Gray

Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2012, 09:03:20 PM »


  Nice thread Jason. My x grew up in La Romana. It's a very poor city.

  Anthony


Chris Munoz

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #17 on: February 26, 2012, 07:54:25 AM »
Has anyone checked out the new nine at Casa.  Dye 5 nine holes.  Overall I always enjoy my time at Casa de Campo.  Highway is almost done, so going to increase the amount of golfers.  Puntacana to La romana, 45 minutes.  Love it. 
Christian C. Munoz
Assistant Superintendent Corales
PUNTACANA Resort & Club
www.puntacana.com

Jason Topp

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #18 on: February 26, 2012, 04:12:16 PM »
Has anyone checked out the new nine at Casa.  Dye 5 nine holes.  Overall I always enjoy my time at Casa de Campo.  Highway is almost done, so going to increase the amount of golfers.  Puntacana to La romana, 45 minutes.  Love it. 

Chris - where on the property is that nine?  I drove out to the Dye For parking lot and became very confused.  It looks like they are building nine surrounding that remote driving range.

Anthony Gray

Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #19 on: February 26, 2012, 05:28:14 PM »
Has anyone checked out the new nine at Casa.  Dye 5 nine holes.  Overall I always enjoy my time at Casa de Campo.  Highway is almost done, so going to increase the amount of golfers.  Puntacana to La romana, 45 minutes.  Love it. 

Chris - where on the property is that nine?  I drove out to the Dye For parking lot and became very confused.  It looks like they are building nine surrounding that remote driving range.


 It's before you get to the marina.

  Anthony


John Mayhugh

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Re: Topp's Travels 2012 February - Teeth of the Dog
« Reply #20 on: March 01, 2012, 10:57:04 PM »
Thanks for sharing this with us Jason.  Wow.

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