Golf Paradiso
The Philippines is an archipelago of world class golfing
The Philippines is an archipelago of world class golfing
As the sun rises over the verdant fairway, the lush green expanse magically unveils. A flowerbed of hibiscus intermingling with plumeria encircles the green and acacia trees clump seamlessly by the rough.
The surrounding terrain of hills and mountains augments the enchantment of the 27-hole paradise that is blessed to remain fresh and beautiful all year. Indeed, it is a tropical wonder, albeit one that sits 1,200 feet above sea level, that many golfers in the Philippines are thankful for.
This 200-hectare expanse is part of the Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club, an exclusive members-only club whose facilities, including golfing, are open to guests of The Suites at Mount Malarayat as well. Set high atop the Malarayat mountain range, this picturesque panorama presents a peek into just one of the wonders of golf and living in the Philippines.
It takes a day to get here from Manila but it is well worth the trip. The JMP Golf Design course features severe tiering of its greens, with double and triple tiers that sometimes even work sideways. The 8th hole of the Mount Lobo nine is one such example. A Par 3 with three-tiered green, the view from its elevated teebox has the green looking smaller than it is, an optical illusion created by contour and slope.
The weather in this Southeast Asian nation is a gift. No matter the day or month, withstanding the occasional rain, those teeing off can expect sun and warmth. Unlike countries that live through four seasons yearly, the Philippines has only two, wet and dry, making the game of golf accessible anytime.
Weather conditions aside, playing golf in the Philippines is an experience for reasons beyond the confines of what makes
Manila Southwoods features not one but two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses, a rare occurrence anywhere in the world as there are barely more than a handful of sites across the world thus named.
a golf course world class. This goes without saying that the Philippines does have its fair share of premier golf courses designed by the likes of Robert Trent Jones Jr., Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.
One such property, Manila Southwoods features not one but two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses, a rare occurrence anywhere in the world as there are barely more than a handful of sites across the world thus named.
The Masters course is the tougher of the two and has hosted the Philippine Open four times, the last back in 1999 and won by
South Korean ace Anthony Kang. Featuring water hazards over 15 holes, this 7,200-yard long challenge is one of the region's, and not merely the country's, toughest.
The Legends course sits on the same flat terrain but is accentuated by undulating mounds and dog-legged holes. The front nine here features a tough stretch of holes in the middle; Holes 4 and 5 are testing par fours that dog-legs one way (right) first and then the opposite way next.
The signature hole is the Par 5, 17th where a tight fairway doglegs to the right past a sandy waste area and a distant green that is guarded by water on one side and sand on the other.
The challenging courses are supported by a majestic clubhouse at this five-star rated members' club. The surrounding property includes a 2,300-lot gated community with a complete sports club, shared by members and residents.
One the most attractive factors of playing golf in the Philippines is the natural yet diverse environment. As an archipelago, the country offers numerous options for players including courses interspersed with a rainforest, fairways nestled between
mountains, greens overlooking the sea or hazards with a backdrop of skyscrapers. The pastoral or bucolic atmosphere also contributes to the overall experience.
At the rolling hills of Antipolo, Rizal is Valley Golf & Country Club, a private and non-profit club built in 1958 by a group of businessmen headed by the late Don Celso S. Tuason.
The first 18-holes, later named the South course, was designed by Australian Jas H. Scotts. With increasing popularity, the club was expanded to accommodate another Par 72 course on the north in 1989.
Host to the Philippine Open in 1975, 1983, and 1991 and Southeast Asian Games Golf Championship in 1991, the courses are short, but on hilly terrain, with brooks running across fairways, it is a shotmaker's dream course to play at.
As has already been suggested, variety is unmatched in Philippine golf courses, giving players the chance to use every club in the bag and bring home an unforgettable golfing experience. Course design can go from the modern to the traditional.
Whether a player chooses to prepare for a tournament or simply sharpen putting skills as a novice, there's always an 18 or 9-hole course that could match the level of play. But there is also an 18-hole course that takes the time of a 9-holer to complete.
The Club Intramuros course is very short and at Par 66, with a length of 4,326 yards, it is likely the shortest proper 18-hole course that most will ever play on. While it may be novel to be able to complete the course in just two hours, there are plenty of challenges. Almost every hole includes either water hazards, out-of-bounds, or both. It is the only course in Manila to offer night golf.
The golf course was opened in 1930 but the club has been around since 1907. In 1995, it underwent a complete renovation by renowned golf architect Andy Dye.
A historical site, the “Walled City”, as it is also called, was built during the Spanish colonisation to keep intruders out. Years after during the American colonisation, the walls were rebuilt and drastic changes were made to the city, including building a golf course. From that day on until now, the golf course is considered to be one of the city's old courses.
Located in the heart of Manila, it is very accessible from office buildings, hotels, museums, and many other tourist attractions in the city, including Rizal Park, Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, and Baluarte de San Diego.
The largest golfing complex in the country, The Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club, opened in 1996 and includes four golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and other indoor and outdoor sports and recreational facilities in General Trias, Province of Cavite.
The four 18-hole courses are designed by Isao Aoki (6,990 yards), Andy Dye (7,323
The Philippines has a hundred golf courses throughout the archipelago of over 7,000 islands in varying designs: overlooking the ocean, rivers, volcanoes and mountains with standards enticing to the international market at competitive green fees," said Connie Mamaril, president of AIGTP.
yards), Nick Faldo (7,443 yards) and Greg Norman (7,123 yards). The Dye course is nicknamed the “Beast of the East”, as it is filled with deceptively deep bunkers that poses a challenge for those unfortunate enough to hit into.
To get there is about an hour's drive from Makati City, through the route of South Superhighway and Carmona, Cavite.
Traveling to the Philippines is not just about playing golf. Comprised of more than 7,000 islands, the country has much to offer in terms of leisure activities outside the sport.
Without a doubt, golfers will always take time to unwind after a round and there's nothing like being pampered or enjoying a massage in one of the country's top spa and wellness resorts. The province of Pampanga and major cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao also offer some of the best nightlife activities.
Adventure seekers, on the other hand, can hike through Philippine mountains and volcanoes or enjoy a morning dive in a hotspot with a thriving marine ecosystem. Other activities such as wakeboarding and ATV adventures are also accessible.
Dining in the Philippines is also becoming exceptional as more restaurants are seeing the light of day not just in malls but in developing neighborhoods. Provinces, for instance, are experiencing the deluge of international flavors and Michelin-starred establishments are on the rise especially in the capital, Manila.
Luxury hotels and resorts, meanwhile, are proliferating. Patterned after those in Seychelles, St. Tropez and Santorini, these establishments are first-class when it comes to services and rates usually range from $500 - $1,000 per person for a one-night stay in these top establishments.
Moreover, the country is abundant in world heritage and historic sites. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage list are the manmade Banaue Rice Terraces in the Cordillera region, the old Spanish City of Vigan in Northern Luzon and the Tubbataha Reef in Sulu Sea, which was named by CNN Travel as one of the best diving sites in the world. The Underground River of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, is another worthwhile destination.
The highlight, of course, is none other than the Philippine beaches. White powdered sands, azure waters and seclusion all contribute to why the country's beaches are some of the best in the world. The island of Palawan, as well as untapped beaches in regions like Marinduque or Leyte, exemplifies this greatness.
Making the Philippine beaches even more appealing is the famous sunset. The surf town of La Union features this exquisite masterpiece as it descends over the South China Sea. Manila Bay also showcases afternoon glows that could rival those that paint the sky of The Serengeti or Ipanema.
The future is bright
The second quarter of 2018 saw the opening of the Asian Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) in Manila for the first time. Spearheaded by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) and the Association for Inbound Golf Tourism Philippines (AIGTP), the golf event is considered to be the biggest in Asia and
the turnout was remarkable: more than 600 delegates including 214 golf tour operators from 33 countries participated.
One of the pressing issues reported by local broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer concerned golf tour operators and the difficulties they encounter in gaining access to the best courses of the country.
Private golf courses, due to the expensive membership rates, are wellmaintained and boast of world-class facilities. Playing in such courses, however, is limited mostly to members, which adversely affects the progress of Philippine golf tourism.
But the support of the Philippine government through the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board has ignited hopes so local golf tour operators can tap into suitable golf courses for tourists.
"The Philippines has a hundred golf courses throughout the archipelago of over 7,000 islands in varying designs: overlooking the ocean, rivers, volcanoes and mountains with standards enticing to the international market at competitive green fees," said Connie Mamaril, president of AIGTP.
History says that golf was introduced to the Philippines in 1886 by the British. The first ever course was built with only three holes, but a 9-hole course soon developed and eventually gave birth to the first ever golf tournament in the country.
Indeed, the Philippines has come a long way and today boasts of 101 golf courses spread throughout the archipelago. Despite outside competition, the country remains steadfast in its goal to meet the needs of every avid golfer from well-designed fairways to exemplary clubhouse facilities.
Yet, beyond the game is an even bigger paradise that heightens an already rewarding experience.
The unique destinations, the exciting activities and most of all, the friendliest people in the world, all make the Philippines a complete destination and an unforgettable journey.