Story & photos by Mike Besa
When the golf construction boom hit in the early 1990’s, most of the development was concentrated in the provinces to the South of Metro Manila particularly the Calabarzon. We all know what happened thereafter; the industry imploded, and the development of new golf courses came to a grinding halt.
You can’t keep a lid on a good thing. It took a while, but new golf courses have begun to open again. But the development has moved North, driven in huge part by the rapid pace of growth in the Clark and Subic economic zones.
In terms of access and facilities, the Clark-Subic mega zone wants for nothing. In fact, its facilities in Central Luzon have likely surpassed those of Metro Manila in terms of modernity and capacity. The world has taken notice, and the growth spurt has begun. The thriving business environment needs good golf courses.
Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club was the first high-profile opening in the region. What a beauty it is. The setting is sublime and ideal for golf. Ayala did not fumble the ball and brought in Golf Plan and its lead architect Kevin Ramsey in to design and oversee the construction of his vision.
The resulting golf course is spectacular. Our golf course of the year in 2018, it threatens to reprise that performance this year. Interestingly, the Ayala Group prioritized the quality of the golf course above all else and dedicated to it some of the property’s most scenic tracts of land.
You get glimpses of the ocean on some of the outward holes, and the golf course meanders over and around the hills above the beach. The opening quartet of holes on the outward nine are among the most beautiful in the country.
It’s not just a pretty course either. This thing has teeth. There are many holes here that have the potential to ruin your score, but none as severe as No. 15. A monstrous 613-yard, double dogleg par 5 that plays into the prevailing wind; this is a hole that will leave golfers muttering to themselves.
The region got another boost when Martin Lorenzo took the reigns of Hacienda Luisita and the Luisita Golf and Country Club. Previously the unicorn of Philippine golf, gaining access to the club was nigh impossible. Lorenzo changed that and continues to share one of the true heritage golf courses in the country with those willing to make the drive to Tarlac.
The only golf course designed by legendary golf-course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. in the whole of Asia, Luisita enjoys a special place in golf in Asia. There is and never will be another like it. The golf course has held up remarkably well since it was built in the 1960s.
The greens still wear the original tiftdwarf greens. Some of the fairways have been overtaken by carabao grass, but many still have Bermuda in the key areas from where one comes into the green. Neither is a detriment to the enjoyment of your game provide conditions are good. At Luisita, they are very, very good indeed.
This is a championship golf course and it makes no apologies for it. Water is in play on eleven holes on the golf course and on all of the par 3s. The course doesn’t favor a shot shape as the holes turn left and right, equally. Jones demands a complete game to record a good score.
Now perhaps you’re a higher handicap and would rather spend your days on a golf course that won’t beat you up every time you tee it up. There’s plenty for you here.
The Acacia Lakeview is built on the bones of the original Clark Field Golf Club. This is the golf course that my parents and their friends used to go to great lengths to obtain invitations from their contacts in the US military, to obtain access to the base, the golf course and perhaps a sneak visit to the base postal exchange.
The Acacia side of the golf course shares real estate with the Mountainview’s outward nine. The scenery is familiar, but the holes are shorter and more accessible. No undue stress about reaching the greens in regulation. The Lakeview side has a unique aesthetic that is especially apparent on 12 and 13.
Mimosa has an old-Philippines feel to it. Just so; it’s the oldest golf course in the area. The century-old acacia trees define the ambience at Mimosa. The golf course provides a unique playing experience for the golfer in Central Luzon.
Beverly Place Golf Club is a friendly 18-hole track that has been built by the Santa Lucia Realty Group. It represents one of the best golf values in the region and has developed a very loyal following among the locals. Located just behind SM City San Fernando in Mexico, Pampanga.
The clubhouse is a more modern, minimalist design. The club also has complete practice facilities and the food is predictably Capampangan with a bit of Chinese cuisine thrown into the mix. Reason enough to plan a trip here.
The course is quite flat with only the tees, bunker complexes and greens showing any kind of elevation. This presents the first challenge of the golf course: figuring out where to aim. A well-placed shot will leave the golfer an easy approach to the very well defended, slightly smallish greens.
Beverly Place is a thoroughly enjoyable round of golf and is the most accessible from the Northern Luzon Expressway.
The newest golf club in the area is Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club located in Lubao, Pampanga. The property is huge. There’s a wakeboard park with several beginner lakes, swimming pools and cottages. There’s talk that the property will be the site of an internationally certified road racing circuit in the near future.
The golf course currently has three nines with a fourth in the works. Like Beverly Place and Mimosa’s Acacia Lakeview course, Pradera is a very pleasant round of golf in amazing conditions. The fairways are lush, and the greens are quick. This distinguishes Pradera Verde from other golf courses in the area; whatever the time of year, the golf course is in fabulous condition.
The clubhouse is massive and is very well planned with plenty of parking and a beautiful driving range, making Pradera Verde a favorite with golfers in the region. Interestingly each of the nines has a completely different character.
The first nine is pretty good test of golf. The longest, most difficult holes are on this nine. The second has the feel of the first but is shorter and a bit trickier. There are many chances to score but you must be precise with your shot placement. The third has more undulation throughout the golf course. Like the second nine, it isn’t very long and provides a change of pace from the first two, which are lack its topographic features.
Then there are the Korean golf courses; Fontana and Clark Sun Valley. Fontana is our favorite, but Clark Sun Valley is a more dramatic setting. Both are notoriously pricey to play, but the golf is of a different style and aesthetic.
Subic International Golf Club is the wildcard in the bunch. Positioned at the highest tier of the market, Subic has much to live up to. The first views of the golf course have been very promising, and the property has enormous potential. The golf course just needs time to mature.
The golf in Central Luzon runs the gamut. The number of golf courses is adequate now but as the region grows, the demand for the golf courses should increase accordingly. Everything is working toward this. Massive investments by the Ayala Group and many foreign concerns are fueling growth. It’s a matter of time.
Central Luzon is the new hotbed of Philippine golf.
Image credits: Mike Besa