Puerto Azul reborn
Tweaked, lengthened, the Zamora course ready for all comers Our goal is to host an international tournament. That’s the reason we added more length to make it more challenging
Who can forget Puerto Azul, that par-71 gem designed by golf legend Gary Player in Ternate, Cavite?
It hosted the Philippine Open in 1989, one of the few times in the eighties the country’s premier tournament was not held at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong.
But only a few of the current touring professionals have played the course. One of them is Robert Pactolerin, the 1990 Philippine Open champion
The sea has eaten that part. It’s water hazard now.
“What I can recall is the hole-in-one made by Lito Rempojo in the par-3, 17th hole using a three-wood,” Pactolerin said.
“I can’t remember who won, but I think the winning score was 7-over,” he added.
Pactolerin was incorrect. Emlyn Aubrey of the United States won that Open, shooting an eight-under 276.
Built in the eighties, the golf course was hailed as one of the world’s top 10 courses.
But following the political upheaval in the late eighties, Puerto Azul began to lose its luster and was soon forgotten following the closure of its world-class hotel and sports facilities and the emergence of several modern courses in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.
The 350-room hotel built in clusters around the hills has disappeared, almost covered entirely by vegetation.
The course did not exactly die as a Korean group managed to keep it operational.
The dream to restore Puerto Azul to its glory days was hatched 15 years ago.
Playing with a couple of friends, billionaire Salvador Zamora II joked that it would be good to develop and restore Puerto Azul to its former glory.
“It was added to his bucket list,” said Bodie, Zamora’s 43-year-old son who now oversees the operations.
Three years ago, the Zamora patriarch entered into a 23-year lease agreement with Boulevard Holdings Inc. chairman Jose Marcel Panlilio to redevelop the 70-hectare Puerto Azul and build a 300-room hotel.
Soon after, Zamora tapped brothers Paolo and JB Santiago and golf architect Erwin Austria for the rehabilitation and re-design of the course.
The course had deteriorated. Bunkers were compacted and infested with weeds and rocks, according to JB.
“The bridges, tee houses, waterways and cart paths all dilapidated,” JB added.
JB said irrigation was done via multicab and dewatering pump and the drainage were clogged.
The goal was to make Puerto Azul a truly championship course by today’s standard.
To make it happen, the course was lengthened from 6,500 yards to 7,200 yards, from par-71 to par-72.
“It can still be extended up to 7,400,” Bodie said.
The course was stripped bare and re-carpeted using Paspalum TE, a grass variety from Georgia suited for courses near the sea.
“It is salt tolerant,” JB said.
Nine holes were rerouted, but the 11th and 17th — both par-3s, and 18th, the par-4 closing hole were left virtually untouched in keeping with the layout of Player.
The first nine remains the mountain course while the last nine is the ocean course, according to JB.
Golf journalist Mike Besa, one of the lucky few who have played the new course, said he loves the redesigned layout.
“The aesthetics are really second to none,” said Besa, a Class A player. “The course isn’t easy. And it’s long enough to challenge anyone.”
Facing the par-3, 17th with a deep ravine in front, Besa had one thought in mind: Just make good contact.
“The land changed since I played it,” he said. “It’s more open now, more exposed. I had 216 uphill and hit my 5-wood to the front of the green. Not a bad place to miss.”
The par-4 18th was more daunting, according to Besa.
“From the blue tee, you need a 220-yard carry over the bay just to get to the fairway,” he added.
Gone is the huge bunker guarding the front of the green.
“The sea has eaten that part. It’s water hazard now,” Besa said.
Nine holes were rerouted, but the 11th and 17th — both par-3s, and 18th, the par-4 closing hole were left virtually untouched in keeping with the layout of Player.
The par-72 layout, renamed Zamora Championship Course at Puerto Azul, is ready for opening, but it would take a while before it is open to the public.
The old clubhouse still has to be refurbished, not to mention the work force that needs to be trained.
“The overall condition, I give it an 8 or 9,” said JB, adding that the elder Zamora was very involved in the design.
“My father is very happy how it came out,” Bodie said. “We finished third quarter of last year but because of weather problems, we didn’t want to rush the opening.”
Bodie did not say how much was spent to make Puerto Azul an all-weather course, but during a press conference four years ago, the elder Zamora said they were setting aside $18 million for the course transformation.
The old clubhouse will be the next to be rehabilitated, according to Bodie.
“Our goal is to host an international tournament. That’s the reason we added more length to make it more challenging,” Bodie said.
The opening hole will give you an idea what Bodie was talking about.
It’s a par-5 measuring 656 yards from the back tee. Even hulk-like Bryson Dechambeau would think twice to reach it in two.
Before you get the wrong impression, Bodie said the course has five tees to accommodate all players of different skills.
“Choose your tees based on your skill set or enjoyment,” he said.
Despite the changes, Bodie believes most of the essence of Puerto Azul was kept, adding that Player, now 84, should be proud of what it has become.
“I watched a video long time ago about their golf course philosophy and I think we came pretty close to that,” he said.