Fifteen years ago, Tom Poljak had a dream, and that was to escape Pittsburgh’s gray skies every winter and trade them for blue skies, tropical breezes, and unforgettable golf in paradise. That dream became the Pittsburgh Dominican Golf Classic, and as it turns out, 2026 will mark the event’s 15th anniversary.
What started as a modest getaway has grown into one of the most anticipated golf trips of the year for Western Pennsylvania players. The dates are set: January 27th to February 1st, 2026, and once again, the group will take up residence at the Westin Puntacana Resort & Club, the very same hotel where PGA TOUR pros stay during the Corales Puntacana Championship each spring.
“For the past 15 years, I’ve had the honor of hosting groups on an unparalleled golf experience in the Dominican Republic,” said organizer Tom Poljak. “Only the golf packages are all-inclusive at the Westin. But it’s the food, the oceanfront rooms, the drinks, the locals, and most importantly, the golf that makes this trip the greatest all-inclusive golf trip in the world.”
The Golf? PGA TOUR-Caliber. Literally!
The group tees it up at Corales Golf Club, the same Tom Fazio-designed track that challenges PGA TOUR players each year during the Corales Puntacana Championship, which returns April 14-20, 2025, for its eighth edition. A Par-72 beast stretching 7,670 yards, Corales is famous for the “Devil’s Elbow” the dramatic finishing trio of holes that run along the Bay of Corales. It’s one of the most scenic closing stretches on the TOUR.
“The first time you play 18 at Corales with the ocean crashing along the fairway, you get it,” said Tri-State PGA member Steve Kusenko. “I was so tired of getting photos from Tom every January while I was stuck in Pittsburgh. I finally went, and now I won’t miss it. I’m in for life.”
And he’s not the only one. The 2026 trip is already SOLD OUT, but interested golfers can get on the waitlist for 2027 by contacting Tom directly.
From Pittsburgh to the Pros!
While the Pittsburgh contingent soaks up the low to mid eighty degree sunshine in January, they’re literally walking in the footsteps of the pros. In fact, past Corales champions Billy Horschel (the 2024 winner), Chad Ramey, Joel Dahmen, and Brice Garnett are expected to compete again this year. Other notables in the field include Charley Hoffman, Emiliano Grillo, and Nate Lashley, as well as a cast of international stars from 20 countries across five continents.
With FedExCup points on the line and a $4 million purse, this isn’t just a vacation hotspot, it’s a serious stop on the TOUR. And for four days in April (April 17-20), the Golf Channel will once again broadcast all the action live from the same fairways and greens that Pittsburghers have come to know and love.
Sun, Fun, and Fairways – Guaranteed!
So why risk rain and 50-degree days in Florida when you can bask in the Caribbean sun in the Dominican Republic? As Tom likes to say, “You can’t beat the value, and you’ll never forget the views.”
Fifteen years strong and it’s only getting better. The Pittsburgh Dominican Golf Classic is no longer just a winter escape. It’s a tradition. And in true Steel City fashion, it now shares a stage with golf’s biggest stars.
Click here for more information on the 2026 Dominican Golf Trip
