PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic -- Jay Overton considers himself a lucky man for having worked for just two great golf resorts in his life, Pinehurst in North Carolina and Innisbrook near Tampa, Fla.
It took a special property like the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club to pull him out of retirement.
Overton, a former PGA Tour and Champions Tour player who competed in 24 major championships, considers the Tom Fazio-designed Corales Course a special place.
The Corales opened in 2010 at Puntacana. This exclusive playground, where only 48 players a day are allowed to tee it up, delivers immaculate conditions that only a handful of golf clubs around the world maintain.
Add in the six ocean holes, most notably the par-3 ninth and the par-4 18th, and you've got a golf paradise ranked No. 9 among the top golf courses in the Caribbean and Mexico by Golfweek for 2012. Two greens on holes No. 3 and No. 15 add shot variety and rotate play daily.
Celebrities Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta -- two investors at Puntacana -- own secluded homes on the course, and de la Renta designed the understated clubhouse.
"Everywhere you turn, it is a postcard. It is so picturesque," Overton said.
Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - hole 8
The eighth hole on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club is a visual stunner.
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Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - hole 11
The par-3 11th hole on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club plays 265 yards from the tips.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - hole 16
Director of Golf Jay Overton hits an approach to the 16th on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club.
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Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - hole 17
The par-3 17th on the Corales golf course at Puntacana Resort & Club is called "Oceanview."
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Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - 18th hole
The finishing hole on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club wraps around the rocky shore.
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Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - 18th tee
Director of Golf Jay Overton takes aim on the 18th tee on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort
Ocean sprays like this are a great reason to play the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - hole 2
Even the non-ocean holes, like the par-3 second, are beautiful on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club.
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Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - hole 3
The third hole on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club has two greens. This one juts out into the lake.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - hole 9
The par-3 ninth on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club plays over the ocean.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - No. 8
The eighth hole on the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club is gorgeous.
Courtesy of Puntacana Resort & Club
Corales golf course at Puntacan Resort - No. 11
The par-3 11th hole showcases the supreme setting of the Corales Course at Puntacana Resort & Club.
Courtesy of Puntacana Resort & Club
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