Santo Domingo.- One of the country’s leading hoteliers yesterday called on the tourism industry and other productive sectors to financially support the country’s efforts to attract the U.S. major golf championship PGA Tour, an event first proposed by the top developer of the Cap Cana resort, Ricardo Hazoury.

Rafael (Papo) Blanco, vice president of the hotel chain Viva Wyndham Resorts, said the country’s several major golf resorts and tourism activities can reap considerable benefits from establishing a formal stop in the PGA Tour, the world’s most prestigious golf championship.

Speaking exclusively to DT during the farewell cocktail for outgoing AES Dominicna president Marco De la Rosa, Blanco agreed with Hazoury’s push for the country to be one of the PGA’s venues, stated during the inaugural of the Punta Espada links in Cap Cana, headed by its designer and golfing great Jack Nicklaus. “Resorts like Casa de Campo can host a revolving tournament, with Punta Cana (east) another year, then Playa Grande (north) the next.”

The hotelier, who agreed with president Leonel Fernandez’s effort to attract major golf course developments, also noted the push of the sport in the interior, including the mountain city of Jarabacoa, where plans are underway to expand its current 9-hose course to an 18-hole links.