---
title: "Golf Kitchen “Inside the Evolution of an Icon: A Conversation with Jason Kycek”"
url: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/blog/2026/04/06/golf-kitchen-inside-the-evolution-of-an-icon-with-jason-kycek/
date: 2026-04-06
modified: 2026-09-02
lang: en
author: "macy"
description: "Golf Kitchen’s conversation with Jason Kycek offers a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how Casa de Campo Resort and Villas continues to evolve while staying true to its legacy. Casa de..."
categories:
  - "Blog"
image: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/aerial-oceanfront-villas-CasadeCampo_188.jpg
word_count: 862
---

# Golf Kitchen “Inside the Evolution of an Icon: A Conversation with Jason Kycek”

## Key Takeaways

- Casa de Campo Resort and Villas builds on its 50-year history while expanding beyond golf into family activities, horseback riding, a petting zoo, water sports, and outdoor adventures in La Romana.
- Casa de Campo’s tennis facility expands and rebrands its racquet center as pickleball and Padel grow, turning it into a hotspot for guests, homeowners, international players, and tournaments.
- The Spa earns a Forbes Four-Star rating within its first year and a half, becoming the first and only spa in the Dominican Republic to reach that distinction.
- Minitas Beach Club transforms from an underused corner into a major gathering spot with an adults-only infinity pool, chic cabanas, a sunset poolside bar, and a family zone with a kiddie pool, playground, ice cream shop, juice bar, and boutique shopping.

Golf Kitchen’s conversation with Jason Kycek offers a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how Casa de Campo Resort and Villas continues to evolve while staying true to its legacy. Casa de Campo's 50‑year history is a powerful foundation, but its future is shaped by innovation, community, and a commitment to offering something for every type of guest. From world‑class golf to cultural experiences and family‑friendly adventures, the growth of our luxury resort in La Romana reflects a thoughtful balance of tradition and transformation.

## A Destination Designed for Every Kind of Traveler

One of the clearest themes from Kycek’s conversation is just how intentionally Casa de Campo has grown beyond its golf legacy. Families arriving at the resort now find an entire world of [family activities](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/for-families/) in the Dominican Republic, thoughtfully designed to keep every age group engaged. What began as a few classic offerings has evolved into a full ecosystem of experiences, [horseback riding](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/equestrian/) through tropical trails, a charming petting zoo, [water sports](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/water-sports/), and outdoor adventures that make the resort feel like its own vibrant community.

That same spirit of evolution shows up at the Casa de Campo tennis facility, which has undergone a major transformation of its own. As Kycek explained, the rise of pickleball and Padel wasn’t just a trend, it was an opportunity. The resort has leaned into that momentum, expanding and rebranding the [racquet center](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/racquet-center/) to meet the growing demand. Today, it is a hotspot where guests and homeowners mix with international players, tournaments bring energy to the courts, and the atmosphere feels both modern and unmistakably Caribbean.

These enhancements weren’t made for the sake of change, they were made to meet guests where they are and create a destination that feels fresh, active, and endlessly inviting.

## Golf and Wellness at Casa de Campo: An Award Winning Resort

While the resort has grown in countless ways, [golf at Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/) remains at the heart of its identity. Kycek highlights how the resort’s three Pete Dye–designed courses, including the legendary [Teeth of the Dog®](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/teeth-of-the-dog/), have contributed to Casa de Campo's international popularity. Today, these layouts continue to attract players seeking championship‑level play in a breathtaking Caribbean setting. This commitment to excellence is one of the reasons Casa de Campo is consistently ranked among the best Caribbean golf resorts, drawing golfers who want both challenge and beauty in every round.

Wellness has taken on a new life, too. “[The Spa](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/spa/),” Casa de Campo’s state‑of‑the‑art wellness sanctuary, quickly earned a Forbes Four‑Star rating, making it the first and only spa in the Dominican Republic to achieve that distinction within its first year and a half. Guests now come specifically for wellness‑focused getaways, and homeowners use the spa as part of their weekly routine. It’s also the perfect complement for couples: one partner can spend the morning on the course while the other enjoys a world‑class spa experience.

## Luxury Living, Elevated: Villas, Beaches & Endless Experiences

Kycek also emphasizes how the resort’s residential offerings have become a defining part of its appeal. Guests staying in our [private villas](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/villas/) in the Dominican Republic enjoy personalized service, spacious layouts, and access to every amenity across the 7,000‑acre property. Many visitors who come for a vacation end up returning as long‑term residents, which is a testament to the sense of community and lifestyle at Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.

And of course, no stay is complete without time at the iconic [Minitas Beach Club](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/dining/quick-bites-cafes/#restaurantsminitas-beach-club-restaurant/), a space that has completely transformed into one of the resort’s most magnetic gathering spots. As Jason Kycek shared, the beach club was once an underused corner of the property. Today, it’s one of the most in‑demand destinations at the resort thanks to a thoughtful reimagining that elevated both its style and its energy.

The adults‑only infinity pool, framed by chic cabanas that book out quickly, has become a favorite for guests looking to unwind in a serene, upscale setting. The poolside bar, perfectly positioned to catch the sunset, now draws visitors every evening for handcrafted cocktails and panoramic views. After seeing how beloved the new adult area became, the team expanded the space with a dedicated family zone, complete with a kiddie pool, a larger pool for older children, a playground, an ice cream shop, a juice bar, and even boutique shopping.

What was once a quiet beachfront has evolved into a vibrant social hub that appeals to every type of traveler. Whether guests come for a relaxed afternoon by the water or a lively weekend atmosphere, the beach club now embodies the effortless blend of leisure, culture, and natural beauty that defines Casa de Campo.

## A Resort That Continues to Evolve With Purpose

What stands out most in Kycek’s interview is the resort’s dedication to evolving thoughtfully. Casa de Campo isn’t just adding amenities, it’s shaping a destination where golf lovers, families, food enthusiasts, and adventure seekers all feel at home. With its blend of heritage and forward‑thinking vision, the resort continues to redefine what a Caribbean getaway can be.

![Oceanfront villas at Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/aerial-oceanfront-villas-CasadeCampo_188.jpg)

Want a deeper look at the stories and vision shaping Casa de Campo’s evolution? Dive into the full [Golf Kitchen](https://www.golfkitchen.com/blog/inside-the-evolution-of-an-icon-a-conversation-with-jason-kycek) interview for more behind‑the‑scenes insight from Jason Kycek.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Why do people choose Casa de Campo for more than golf?**
A: Casa de Campo has grown beyond its golf legacy into a resort built for different types of travelers. The page points to family activities, horseback riding, a petting zoo, water sports, and outdoor adventures as part of that shift. That matters because it turns the property into a full destination, not just a place to play golf. If you want the broader activity mix, the resort’s [family activities](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/for-families/), [horseback riding](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/equestrian/), and [water sports](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/water-sports/) are the clearest examples.

**Q: What makes the racquet center at Casa de Campo worth paying attention to?**
A: The racquet center stands out because it was expanded and rebranded in response to the rise of pickleball and Padel. That kind of move usually signals demand, not just cosmetic change. The result is a space where guests, homeowners, and international players mix, and tournaments add energy to the courts. For anyone comparing resort amenities, that tells you Casa de Campo is treating racquet sports as a real part of the guest experience, not an afterthought.

**Q: Is Casa de Campo still mainly a golf resort?**
A: Golf is still central to Casa de Campo’s identity, but the page makes clear it is no longer only about golf. The resort’s three Pete Dye-designed courses, including Teeth of the Dog®, remain a major draw, yet wellness, family experiences, villas, and beach life now share the spotlight. That balance is why it appeals to both golfers and non-golfers. If you want the golf side specifically, [golf at Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/) and [Teeth of the Dog®](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/teeth-of-the-dog/) are the key references.

**Q: What is special about The Spa at Casa de Campo?**
A: The Spa is notable because it earned a Forbes Four-Star rating within its first year and a half, and the page says it was the first and only spa in the Dominican Republic to do that. That gives it more weight than a standard resort spa. It also fits different use cases: wellness-focused getaways, weekly routines for homeowners, or couples splitting time between golf and relaxation. For spa-focused stays, [The Spa](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/spa/) is positioned as part of the resort’s broader wellness offering.

**Q: Are private villas at Casa de Campo better for long stays or short vacations?**
A: The private villas are presented as a strong fit for both short stays and repeat visits because they combine personalized service with spacious layouts and access to every amenity across the 7,000-acre property. The bigger point is lifestyle: many guests who arrive for vacation return as long-term residents. That suggests the villas are not just accommodation but part of how Casa de Campo creates community. For planning purposes, [private villas](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/villas/) make sense if you want room plus access to the full resort experience.