Pinoy Golfer Blog

Most golfers in Metro-Manila tend to head south of the city when they play golf. Most are of the opinion that the best courses are in that area of the country. My answer to that is a qualified yes. Two outstanding courses sit just north of the sprawling metropolis that is Metro-Manila and Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in the quaintly named barangay of Coral Na Bato in San Rafael, Bulacan is one of them. Not many have heard of Royal Northwoods; blame its relative isolation. It’s roughly 80k from Makati; to get there take the NLEX and get off at Sta. Rita. Then turn right and head towards Cabanatuan, NE. When you get to San Rafael, look for the signs to the club. You’ll turn... Read More

Sunset on the 6th green If you ply the South Luzon Expressway in the name of golf, the massive sign of South Forbes City on the East side of the expressway has been hard to miss. Free golf membership if you buy here, it trumpets. Too good to be true? We were determined to find out. The development is impressive. A development of Cathay Land, South Forbes City is more than 400 hectares large and still growing. It bills itself as the world in one city with differing subdivisions with themed architecture inspired by that of other countries; Thailand, Indonesia, France and the United Kingdom among them. The first green is well framed by the surrounding rain forest My first experience with the golf... Read More

The island green 6th hole with Mt. Arayat in the distance Just beyond the great Candaba Swamp from Quezon City lies sleepy Mexico, Pampamga where a new golf course opens its fairways to the golfing public. Beverly Place Golf and Country Club is a project of real estate giant Sta. Lucia Realty Corp which boast a Gary Player signature golf course. Though open, the golf course is as of yet unfinished; just nine holes are playable but they’re a good indication of what the final golf experience will be like. The course is relatively short but does demand precision placement to successfully navigate its fairways. Water, water everywhere! The Candaba Swamp gets an honourable mention here because... Read More

It’s been almost a month since the 14th Philippine International Golf Show closed its door at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia so this commentary might seem a bit tardy. But to comment constructively, I find that it’s best to let things sit a while before tackling the issues involved; it helps to develop perspective and gives me a chance to talk to the people that make up the show, both exhibitors and patrons to get a good handle on the state of the show. The show, which is staged by GDAP and Fairs and More, has been criticized in other quarters for being just a discount and selling exercise and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. As former GDAP President Gerald Raymundo... Read More