When Rafael Prestamo was managing transportation and logistics for W.R. Grace in Puerto Rico, like so many business people he was successful, but not happy. So he ditched his career with W.R. Grace and decided to follow his passion. He became a golf professional.
After a few stints on mini tours, Rafael decided that teaching golf was his real
The Rio Mar Clubhouse
passion. So he worked with the instructors at both the Leadbetter and Faldo schools in Florida and learned the most advanced golf instruction techniques available. Rafael returned to Puerto Rico to assume the mantle of Head Professional at the Wyndham Rio Mar in Rio Grande, P.R. More importantly, upon arrival Rafael founded the Caribbean Golf Program at the practice facility at the Wyndham Rio Mar.
Prestamo’s vision is that the Caribbean Golf Program will become the center for golf instruction for the entire Caribbean region. He has aligned the interests of the Caribbean Golf Program with support from Callaway Golf, and hopes to quickly make the infrastructure investments necessary to make the Caribbean Golf Program a first class instruction and training facility. Prestamo has overseen the installation of covered teaching stations and lights for evening training. His contacts from his days in Florida have led to cooperative instructional programs that include the involvement of touring professionals Karen Stupples and Camilo Benedetti.
The famous 16th at the Ocean Course
Since the Wyndham Rio Mar has two golf courses, the Ocean Course designed by the George and Tom Fazio and the River course designed by Greg Norman, to go along with the instructional practice facility, Rafael would like to see the Wyndham Rio Mar become a golf destination as much as it is a family vacation resort. In his own words, Prestamo believes that Puerto Rico should be “the Hawaii of the East Coast’ for U.S. citizens, and that the courses and instructional facility at the Wyndham Rio Mar should be the center of the action.
The Caribbean Golf Program already offers more than most golfers can get from their home club. In addition to the standard club fitting and daily lessons including video swing analysis, the Caribbean Golf Program also offers short game schools, junior golf, corporate and group clinics and access to the Get Golf Ready in 5 Days program. This nationally accredited program was developed by the Golf 20/20 program to help grow the game of golf by making it easy for new players to learn the game and get on the course. The Caribbean Golf Program also offers free clinics for women on Wednesday mornings.
As the Head Professional at Wyndham Rio Mar, Rafael will be happy to put
A view of the River Course
together package deals for golf and instruction, and will also work in food and beverage options as well. The courses are fun to play, and perfect layouts for post-lesson rounds. The courses at Wyndham Rio Mar hosted the 2004 World Amateur for women and men. Touring professional Ryan Moore was a participant for the U.S. team. The Rio Mar courses are also host to the Puerto Rico Golf Classic, a major college event held early each year. The 2010 version was won by the University of Texas. Still, rest assured that with multiple sets of tees, the courses are fun for a variety of golfing skill sets. Because the resort is geared heavily towards families, there is rarely any wait to play and during my visit I was able to play in less than four hours.
So if you are traveling with your family on vacation or if you are looking for a serious facility to work on your game, you should strongly consider the Wyndham Rio Mar and the Caribbean Golf Program. Puerto Rico is easy to get to, with no customs to deal with, the weather is ideal year round, the courses are friendly and available, and Head Professional Rafael Prestamo stands ready to help you improve your game.
