---
title: "Spotlight On Robert Birtel"
url: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/blog/2020/04/08/spotlight-on-robert-birtel/
date: 2020-04-08
modified: 2026-09-02
lang: en
author: "Gitti"
description: "Casa de Campo's Director of Golf Operations ROBERT, HOW DID YOUR CASA DE CAMPO STORY BEGIN? The first time I experienced Casa de Campo was actually a day trip. We..."
categories:
  - "Blog"
image: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CDC_Links_Golf_Course.jpg
word_count: 949
---

# Spotlight On Robert Birtel

## Key Takeaways

- Robert Birtel says his Casa de Campo story begins with a day trip that includes La Romana Airport, breakfast at Carlos Lopez Lay’s house, 18 holes, lunch at the club, and the new nine before he returns home the same day.
- Teeth of the Dog®, Links, and Dye Fore each stand out for specific holes: Teeth of the Dog® 16 carries the Caribbean Sea in evening wind, Links 12-16 plays around three lakes, and Dye Fore’s 17th green on the Chavón nine overlooks the Chavón River and Altos de Chavón.
- Casa de Campo Golf adds a new Dye Fore Pro Shop, a short game center, and a state-of-the-art Golf Learning Center with two Trackman studios for lessons, club fittings, visiting professionals, and golf schools.
- Casa de Campo improves its courses with state-of-the-art irrigation systems, cleared trees and bushes for airflow and views, new and leveled tee boxes, and tournament additions like the Couples Golf & Spa Retreat in October and the Women’s Golf Getaway hosted by PGA of America President Suzy Whaley.

## Casa de Campo's Director of Golf Operations

![Robert Birtel, Casa de Campo Golf Director of Operations](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DSC_5883-copy-scaled.jpg)
**ROBERT, HOW DID YOUR CASA DE CAMPO STORY BEGIN?**

> *The first time I experienced Casa de Campo was actually a day trip. We flew over with Carlos Lopez Lay, a member of La Romana Country Club. Carlos invited us to play golf, have lunch, then come back that same day. We landed at La Romana Airport, drove to his house, had breakfast, then made our way over to the club. This was one of my first times playing with caddies; we played 18 holes, had lunch at the club, then went out to play the new nine. We finished up, went back to the house, and made our way back to the airport to fly back home. It was and still is one of the best golf experiences I have ever had. A few day's past, and my friend was asking about the trip. He was asking me if I saw any of the other courses or amenities Casa de Campo had to offer. He then told me about [Teeth of the Dog®](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/teeth-of-the-dog/), [Dye Fore,](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/dye-fore/) [Minitas Beach](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/beaches/), [Altos de Chavón](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/altos-de-chavon/), etc. After hearing all this, I was eager to return, which happened about 10 years later when I came down for my job interview. So this is how my Casa de Campo story began- it took 10 years to really understand how awesome Casa de Campo is!*
**YOU HAVE BEEN AT CASA DE CAMPO FOR A WHILE, ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS TO SHARE?**

> *It's hard to pick just one moment. Really, the entire experience of being here is memorable. We enjoy everything that is Casa de Campo. Our family is here, so Emily, Eleanor, and I get to meet people from all over the world. Eleanor enjoys art in Altos, [riding horses at the Dude Ranch](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/equestrian/), and we enjoy going to Minitas Beach and occasionally going out to Palmilla sandbar/beach and Catalina Island on fantastic boats. We have had the opportunity to watch amazing performances at Altos de Chavón, enjoy world-class culinary experiences, and simply be in a wonderful place with wonderful people. Leading the Golf Team at Casa de Campo is the highlight for me. I have had the opportunity to be part of world-class golf events and play golf with some very interesting people. I know the best moments are yet to come. *
**WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOLES IN EACH OF THE CASA DE CAMPO COURSES?**

> *Teeth of the Dog® - 16- Teeth has 4 amazing par 3s. Playing 16 in the evening with the setting sun behind you and having to hit a shot from 180 yards into the wind where you have to carry the Caribbean Sea. 16 is hard to beat for me.
> Links- Holes 12-16- I love the back nine of Links, especially the stretch of 12-16. These holes play around three lakes and demand all types of shots. The holes are set very close to each other, so they are so much fun to walk with great friends.
> Dye Fore- I love the 17th green on the Chavón nine. This is one of the highest points on the course; you can look over the Chavón River, you can see all the holes on the Chavón nine from here, and you have a fantastic view of Altos de Chavón.
> *
**WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT YOUR ROLE AS DIRECTOR OF GOLF OPERATIONS?**

> *I have been allowed to work with amazing people, develop a fantastic team, and be part of the team to take Casa de Campo and Casa de Campo Golf to the next level. We get to work to make Casa de Campo better every day, and I love this!*
**BESIDES PLAYING GOLF, OR COURSE, WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT CASA DE CAMPO?**

> *Since living here, I have been able to ride horses with my daughter Eleanor; I don't think I had been on a horse since I was 12 or so.  I also personally enjoy diving for golf balls off the coast - we also have some amazing snorkeling spots right off our coast.  I really enjoy water sports- recently I have been able to teach Eleanor to paddle board and surf, which has been a blast.
> *
**WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING RECENT DEVELOPMENT FOR GOLFERS AT CASA DE CAMPO?**

> Wow, this is a tough one to narrow down. We have done a lot of great improvements around the golf area at Casa de Campo.
> To name a few:
> We built a new Dye Fore Pro Shop, and enhanced the Dye Fore practice area with a new short game center.
> We built a state-of-the-art [Golf Learning Center with two Trackman studios](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/instruction/). In the Learning Center, we do golf lessons and club fittings, but we also let visiting professionals use the center with the members they are traveling with while here at Casa. The Center has also allowed us to host golf schools with some amazing guest instructors from all over the world.
> We have worked to enhance the playing conditions on our golf courses. We have installed state-of-the-art irrigation systems, and we cleared out trees and bushes to open up our courses, which enhance airflow and expose amazing views. We have built and leveled new tee boxes throughout the golf courses as well.
> We have also been working to enhance our [Casa de Campo Tournament series](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/tournaments/). We have added new events like the Couples Golf & Spa Retreat in October and the Women's Golf Getaway hosted by the PGA of America President Suzy Whaley. We also keep working to enhance our Winter Pro Am series. This past winter, we had the most teams we have ever had for our Pro AM Series.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How did Robert Birtel first get connected to Casa de Campo?**
A: Robert Birtel’s connection started with a day trip that turned into a long-term relationship. He flew over with Carlos Lopez Lay, played 18 holes with caddies, had lunch at the club, then played the new nine before heading back home the same day. That first visit mattered because it showed him more than one course and gave him a real feel for the property. Casa de Campo, Casa De Campo, Casadecampo is presented here as a place people often need time to fully appreciate.

**Q: What golf courses and amenities at Casa de Campo stood out to Robert Birtel?**
A: The big takeaway is that his first trip only scratched the surface. Afterward, he heard about Teeth of the Dog®, Dye Fore, Minitas Beach, and Altos de Chavón, which made him want to come back. That matters because the page frames Casa de Campo as more than a golf resort, with golf, beach access, and cultural experiences all part of the same property. For quick context, those names are also useful entry points if you want to explore the resort beyond one round of golf.

**Q: What are Robert Birtel’s favorite holes at Casa de Campo?**
A: His picks are very specific: Teeth of the Dog® 16, the stretch of Links holes 12 through 16, and Dye Fore’s 17th green on the Chavón nine. The common thread is that each one combines shot-making with a strong view or setting. Hole 16 at Teeth asks for a 180-yard shot into the wind over the Caribbean Sea, while Dye Fore’s 17th gives a view over the Chavón River and Altos de Chavón.

**Q: What recent golf upgrades has Casa de Campo made for players?**
A: The page points to several concrete upgrades: a new Dye Fore Pro Shop, an enhanced Dye Fore practice area with a new short game center, and a state-of-the-art Golf Learning Center with two Trackman studios. It also mentions better irrigation systems, cleared trees and bushes for airflow and views, and new or leveled tee boxes across the courses. Casa de Campo, Casa De Campo, Casadecampo is clearly investing in both practice quality and playing conditions.

**Q: What is the best way to use Casa de Campo if you want more than just golf?**
A: The property works well for mixed-interest trips because Robert describes it as a place where his family can split time between golf and other activities. He mentions art in Altos de Chavón, riding horses at the Dude Ranch, Minitas Beach, Palmilla sandbar/beach, Catalina Island boat outings, diving for golf balls off the coast, snorkeling spots right off the coast, paddle boarding, and surfing. That makes Casa de Campo useful for groups that want golf plus non-golf activities in one stay.