GOLF IN THE PHILIPPINES
Tee off and experience the excellent climate of the
Philippine Archipelago with its unique golfing enclaves from lush valleys to
mountaintops, seaside resorts or just within cityscapes and inviting after golf
facilities, the Philippines is an ideal country or give this sport a try. The
courses have been designed by golf’s premier architects, exuding the strategic
brilliance of such greats as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and
Robert Trent Jones Jr. among others. Play at venues that have been proud sites
of some of the most prestigious international and local tournaments, like the
Johnny Walker Classic, the World Amateur Golf Championships, the World Cup, The
Asian PGA and the Philippine Open. Golfing in the Philippines indeed spells
total recreation for any tourist.
WACK WACK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Shaw
Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Manila
Tel.No.
(+63 2) 723-0665 to 72
Wack Wack is an
excellent golf club with two 18-hole championship courses. The first of these
is the East Course – former host of the Philippine Open, the World Cup
and other famous events. The second is the West Course – a shorter, all
weather championship course.
The East Course is
large and includes: water hazards, undulating and elevated small greens and
lengthy fairways. The 8th hole is especially challenging, even for
seasoned golfers.
The West Course is a
par 70, and is more popular with senior and female members of the club.
CLUB INTRAMUROS
Intramuros, Manila
Tel.No. (+63 2) 527 -2887 / 6617
The Intramuros Golf course is a little oasis of calm, surrounded
by the madness and hustle of the city of Manila. This 18-hole 4,326-yard Par 66
well maintained antiquity is founded in 1907. Try a superb round of night golf
amidst the historic walled city of Manila. It can be a real test of your short
game, with water or out-of-bounds or both, in nearly every hole.
ALABANG COUNTRY CLUB
Acacia Avenue,Ayala-Alabang Village, Muntinlupa
City
Tel. Nos. (+63 2) 842-3530 to 39
It is a par-72 course
with four man-made lakes and a natural creek winding through the course, that
offer various challenges. The golf course can accommodate a maximum of 320
players in a day. It takes approximately four and one-half hours for a flight
consisting of four players on normal playing weather days to finish 18 holes of
golf. The golf course was built on 58 hectares of slightly undulating, rolling
terrain which measures 5,785 meters (or 6,343 yards) from the blue tee
Puerto Azul Golf
& Country Club
Barangay Sapang Ternate, Cavite
Tel.No. (+63 46) 524-0096/ (046) 524-0091
Email: rtoazulgolf@yahoo.com
A
Gary Player designed golf course boasts of an 18-hole, It has a regular Par-72
layout but adjustable to Par-71 for more serious play like the Philippine Open
Golf Championship. Puerto Azul golf course is one of the most scenic in the
country, proud of its very famous combination of mountain and sea.
Canlubang Golf & Country Club
Canlubang, Laguna
Tel. No. (+63 49) 549-1362
Email: cgcc_mktofc@yahoo.com (Makati Office)
Canlubang
Golf & Country Club is the largest in the Philippines and was designated by
Robert Trent Jones Jr. It has 36 holes which
consist of wide, undulating fairways lined with coconut trees. There are
man-made lakes, and even ravines. The North course is a championship course
measuring 6,872 yards, whilst the South course is shorter.
The Villamor Golf
Club
Colonel
Jesus Villamor Air base,
Pasay City, Metro Manila
Tel.
No. (+ 63-2) 853-4977
The Villamor Golf
Course is fairly flat, but still challenging to golfers of all standards due to
the trees and water hazards. The fairways are lined with elegant agoho,
ipil-ipil, nara and mango trees. Indian tulips mark the 150-yard point on each
hole. The grass on the fairways is native carabao grass, which is ideally
suited to the tropical climate.
Camp John Hay Golf
Club
Loakan
Road, Baguio City
Tel.
No.(+63-74) 444-2131
E-mail: jeric@campjohnhay.com.ph
The Camp John Hay Golf
Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus’ Golden Bear International, and is one of
the best in the Philippines. It is located 5,000 feet above sea level, and is
surrounded by rolling hills, crystal clear lakes and tall pine trees. It plays to
a par 69 and is an all weather
course. Rolling terrain and abundant trees make the course more
challenging.
Caliraya Springs
Golf & Country Club
Barangay
East Talaongan,
Lumban, Cavinti, Laguna
Tel.
No. (+63 49) 681-5461
This
18-hole championship golf course is located next to Caliraya Lake. The course
has rolling terrain and some challenging water hazards. Designed by Arnold
Palmer, the course is suitable for high handicappers and seasoned golfers alike.
Forest
Hills Golf & Country Club
Brgy.
Inarawan, Cogelo, Antipolo City
Tel.
No.(+63 2) 677-1645
E-mail: foresthillsgolf@gmail.com
Forest
Hills has two golf courses; the first one by Jack Nicklaus’ design group and
the other by Arnold Palmer. Forest Hills Golf and Country Club was incorporated last June 27,
1995. Owns at least 67 plus (67+) hectares of the Jack Nicklaus Course and at least
60+ hectares of the Arnold Palmer Course, the layout plays par 71.
The Riviera Golf
& Country Club
Aguinaldo
Highway, Silang, Cavite
Tel No.: (+63 46) 888-9092
Email: riviera_golfoperations@yahoo.com
This
course has 36 holes, both par-72. Couples’ course hosted the 1998
Philippine Open . While the Langer course was voted second best golf course by
Asian Golfer Magazine. Masters Champion Bernhard Langer and Freddie Couples
have laid out 36 holes of great golf along the ridges 48 kilomters from Manila. The scenic course
is on an area about 1,000 feet above sea level with
cool weather all throughout the year. The golf course, designed by Fred
Couples, is set alongside fairway residential lots and
the other 18-hole course, designed by Bernhard Langer,
is set against landscaped gardens.
Orchard Golf & Country Club
Km. 27 Aguinaldo Highway,
Dasmarinas Cavite
Tel. No.: (+ 63 46) 843-8344 loc 102
The Orchard id composed of two 18-hole championship
golf courses on 131 herctares. “The Legacy” was designed by Arnold Palmer while
“The Tradition” was designed by Gary Player. Special Tifton 419 grass are on
the fairways and a finer variety Tifdwarf was used on the greens for the ideal
“bite”. Like the finest golf courses, there are lakes, lagoons, hills, scenic
fairways, roughs and the sand traps.
East Ridge Golf
Club
Bilibiran,
Binangonan, Rizal
Tel. Nos.: (+63 2) 651-2240
to 41
E-mail: etemena@gmail.com
This
James Martell Jr.-designed 18-hole 7,161-yard Par-72 Championship course is in
itself an architectural wonder being a combination of the latest in golf course
design and natural as well as man-made attractions. Sprawled on an exciting
stretch of mountain ridges some 200 meters above sea level, the course spans 80
hectares of golfing challenges and enjoyment. Relax in the charm and beauty of
the highlands, the magnificent panoramic views of Laguna Lake, the Ortigas and
Makati skyline and Rizal town as well are visible from almost every hole here.
If you knew your way around, ancient historic caves are only a short drive away
from the second nine of the course.
Evercrest Golf Club & Resort
Km. 72
Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas
Tel.
No.: (+63 43 )712-9293 to 98
E-mail:golfmembership@evercrestgolf.com.ph
Evercrest Golf Club & Resort boasts "The
Masterpiece", an 18-hole championship golf course designed by the
legendary golfer, Arnold PalmerThe
Evercrest is an Arnold Palmer-designed course which has tight fairways and the par 72
course blanketed with Tifton
grass and guarded by steep hills and deep ravines. and well protected by big
bunkers, are overlaid on a graduated bed of the finest beach sand with
state-of-the-art drainage and irrigation systems in use to ensure play in all
weather. This championship course is 6,704 yards long from the Gold tee. It is
also amply equipped with other sets of tee so all levels can play here.
Mimosa Golf &
Country Club
Clark
Special Economic Zone, Pampanga
Telefax:
(+63 45) 599 7000
The Golf course was built on the original Clark
Air Base Golf Course. A redesign by Honolulu-based Robin Nelson and Neal
Haworth produced 36 holes of delightful golfing that makes a full use of the
differences in terrain within a property that spans both sides a major road in
the former base. The MOUNTAIN VIEW COURSE is the championship layout and
the first few holes takes you up a mountain that dominates that end of the
course. Back nine is set on a flatter ground but that doesn’t mean the holes
are easy. The 12-hole is a long par –4 that usually plays into the wind
so you may have to rely on a good pitch or a lucky chip to save par. The next
hole is a par-5 that may be one of the most challenging ones in the country.
Alta Vista
Golf & Country Club
Aznar
Road, Pardo Hills, Cebu City
Tel:
+(63-32) 272-7971
Alta Vista is a short, challenging,
mountainous course with rolling terrain and narrow fairways. The views are
stunning: standing on the course, you can see Mactan Island, Bohol, and the
bay. Watch out for the strong winds and water hazards.
Manila Southwoods Golf & Country
Club
Southwoods
Avenue
Carmona, Cavite
Tel No.: (+ 63 46) 430 0260
Fax No.: (+63 46) 430-0261
Email: m@manilasouthwoods.com
The Manila Southwoods Golf and
Country Club is composed of two 18 hole Jack
Nicklaus signature courses. Both courses have championship
layout . The 36 holes both par 72 the Legends and Master course, greens are
slanted away from safe tee shots and the rewards for challenging the hazards
guarding the turning points are usually receptive angles. Southwoods pride
itself on its greens on both courses, though fast, they are true as can be with
very subtle undulations.
Sherwood Hills Golf Club
Barangay
Cabezas and Lailana,
Trece
Martirez, Cavite
Tel No.: (+63 46) 419-0578
Sherwood Hills is a Jack Nicklaus signature course
with wide fairways and good size greens. All 18 holes are fully
exposed to the players. The wind dictates the difficulty of the course
which could result in a 3 to 4 club difference.
Sta. Elena Golf Club
Bo.
Malitlit, Sta Rosa, Laguna
Tel Nos.:(+ 63 49) 893-3494
Another
Robert Trent Jr. creation is this 27-hole all weather championship course. The
120 hectares of gently rolling terrain gave the designer the opportunity to
create a number of memorable holes that wind their way through the natural
movement of the property.
Luisita Golf &
Country Club
Hacienda
Luisita, San Miguel, Tarlac
Telefax: (+63 45) 985-0810
E-mail:
luisita_golf@yahoo.com
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, this course in
Central Luzon is considered as one of the finest 18-hole, par-72 championship
courses in the country. It has hosted top events like the President's Cup and
other golf spectacles of the country. One of its interesting feature is water,
where in eleven of its 18 holes have well placed water hazards including hole
17 which is considered to be the most awesome.
Iloilo Golf & Country Club
Sta.
Barbara, Iloilo City
Tel.
No.: (+63 33) 523-9777 or 79
Fax
No.: (+63 33) 523-9778
E-mail: iloilogolf@skyinet.net
Established in 1907, Iloilo Golf and Country
Club, popularly known as Sta. Barbara, is considered the
oldest golf club in the country. It features the layout of hilly and
rolling terrain with mature trees. No two holes are ever similar, as
it was designed on its natural state. At 18 holes, it plays to a par
36-34-70.
Cebu Country Club
Cebu, Banilad, Cebu City
Tel: (+63 32) 231-0345
This
championship course was established in 1928, and has improved continuously
since it was created. There are winding fairways, numerous trees, and sand traps
furnished with ground coral rock. The layout plays to a
par-71. White sand traps are furnished with ground coral rock, adding to the
contrast of the greenery. This championship course is the site of the PAL
interclub and important legs of the Philippine Golf Circuit.
Rancho
Palos Verdes Golf Course
Barangay
Mandug/Indagan,
Buhangin Ditrict, Davao City
Tel:
+(63 82) 560-0238
This
beautiful course has just about everything: undulating fairways, ravines,
dramatic elevation changes, water hazards, pot bunkers, and excellent views.
The fairways consist of well-kept Bermuda grass, and the greens are made of
close-cut Tifdwarf grass.
Apo Golf &
Country Club
Bago, Davao
City, Davao
Tel: +
(63 82) 296-0048
Apo
Golf & Country Club is a beautiful course that can be played at any time of
the year. On most of the holes the greens are huge and flat, with
well-maintained sand traps. The course includes plenty of water hazards, and
there are also numerous mahogany and coconut trees to add to the challenge.
Watch out for stunning views of Mount Apo, which can be seen from various
vantage points (including the tee-off on the 10th hole).
Fairways and Blue Waters Golf &
Country Club
Boracay
Island, Malay, Aklan
Tel:
+(63-36) 288-5587
This
18 hole golf course was designed by Graham Marsh, and offers a different
experience with every hole. The front nine is fairly flat, with plenty of water
hazards. The back nine is more hilly, with less hazards. The views are excellent,
but watch out for strong wind.
