A Landscape-Driven Golf Experience Shaped by Terrain and Views.
Samaná, Dominican Republic
COSAMAR — Design & Development
Golf Course Development
Santa Bárbara de Samaná, Samaná, Dominican Republic
Private Client
2024
Design–Build
Master Planning, Golf Course Design, Site Planning, Permitting & Development Strategy
A scenic 9-hole, par 36 golf course designed to respond to the site’s natural terrain and dramatic landforms. The layout follows the existing topography, minimizing intervention while enhancing the landscape’s natural character.
Rolling fairways, elevated tees and greens, and natural ravines define a dynamic sequence of play, offering both technical challenge and panoramic views across Samaná Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Complemented by a short course, practice facilities and a signature clubhouse, the golf experience is conceived as an integral component of the resort’s spatial and social structure.
The golf course is set within a diverse landscape defined by natural slopes, existing vegetation and long-range views toward the coastline. A series of ridges, valleys and gentle transitions shape the terrain, establishing a natural framework for the course layout.
Rather than reshaping the land, the design approach embraces these conditions, allowing the fairways and greens to emerge from the topography. This strategy enhances the playing experience while minimizing intervention, preserving the environmental integrity of the site and reinforcing its visual identity.
View towards Samaná Bay — South
View towards the site — North
The design strategy is grounded in a careful reading of the site’s topography and slope conditions, which directly inform the layout and organization of the golf course. Variations in elevation are used to define fairways, frame long-range views and create natural separation between holes.
By aligning the course with the existing landform, the project minimizes grading operations and reduces environmental impact. This approach results in a more efficient, context-responsive development while enhancing both the playing experience and the visual character of the landscape.
Topography
Slope Analysis
The course layout is shaped by the natural contours of the land, organizing the sequence of holes along ridges and valleys while maximizing playability and long-range views across the landscape.
Overall golf course layout shaped by the site’s natural contours and topographic conditions.
Strategic sections illustrate the relationship between the golf course, the natural terrain and the surrounding built environment. Elevation changes, slopes and spatial transitions are expressed to highlight how the course is integrated within the landscape.
These sectional views reinforce the design approach, where architecture, open space and topography are carefully aligned to create a cohesive and context-responsive environment.
Section A
Section B
Section C
The golf course is conceived as a sequence of carefully crafted experiences shaped by the natural terrain. Each hole responds to the site’s contours, using elevation changes, views and landform to define both strategy and spatial character.
Rolling fairways, elevated tees and greens, and natural transitions create a dynamic rhythm of play, balancing challenge and accessibility while framing panoramic views across the surrounding landscape.
Course design responding to natural landforms and elevation changes.
A full-length driving range, short game practice areas and dedicated training spaces are integrated within the landscape to support players of all levels. These facilities are carefully positioned to take advantage of natural topography while maintaining visual continuity with the surrounding environment.
Designed for both casual use and professional instruction, the practice areas complement the main course by offering a flexible and accessible golf experience within the broader resort setting.
Positioned at a privileged elevation above the course, the clubhouse is conceived as a central gathering point overlooking the fairways and the coastline beyond. Its location takes advantage of the site’s natural topography, creating a strong visual connection with both the golf course and the surrounding landscape.
Beyond serving golfers, the clubhouse functions as a social hub for the wider community, offering spaces for dining, relaxation and small-scale events. This dual role reinforces its importance within the overall resort experience.
Clubhouse spaces oriented toward the golf course and surrounding landscape.
The course is structured to offer a balanced and accessible playing experience, combining a 9-hole course with a complementary short course configuration.
The golf course is carefully embedded within the broader masterplan, establishing a continuous relationship between landscape, residential areas and shared amenities. Its layout defines open space while enhancing views, orientation and spatial identity across the development.
As both a recreational and visual anchor, the course contributes to the overall character of the resort, connecting architecture and nature through a cohesive and landscape-driven approach.
Course integrated with surrounding development.
A structured overview of the project’s evolution, from initial site analysis through design, approvals and construction.
From golf communities to integrated masterplans, successful developments begin with strategic planning, thoughtful design and a clear long-term vision.
