Golf In Manila, the PHILIPPINES

December 15 – 18, 2008

We boarded Cebu Pacific flight, the Philippines’ version of Air Asia at the wee hours of the night. By the time it took off at around 1.30am, I was already fast asleep. The flight was full with returning Filipino workers and Malaysians on holidays. Zack was not with me this time. Shahrul, Haji Amir and Doc Junaidy made up the group from KL.

Sun Valley Club House

We arrived at NAIA, Terminal 3 at around 5.30am. Romy, Ramlan’s driver was waiting for us. We checked into Heritage Hotel. After shower and breakfast, we drove to our first golf destination, Sun Valley Golf Club. The course was hilly, the fairways were tight and the greens were okay. One look at the first hole, I knew I would be in for a tough time. To make things worse, we teed off from the gold tee boxes, the longest. It measures 6,790 yards from the gold tees. We were joined by Datuk Dr. Yusof. Most of us played badly. Double boogey was like the best score we could get. I posted a final score of 114. It has been a long time I had that kind of score card.

Datuk Dr. Yusof, Haji Amir, Doc Junaidy, Shahrul & Myself

Datuk & Haji Amir on Hole 9

Haji Amir doing some serious putting

This Par-3 tees from an elevated position

Doc Junaidy

We had dinner at the Wharf, a sea food restaurant that I have been to before. We had a nice sea food dinner serenaded by a band singing songs that could be requested. They even played a Malay number. After dinner, Doc, Datuk and I adjourned to the 2nd floor of Heritage Hotel to try our luck at the roulette table. I was not that lucky.

The group had decided to check out from Heritage and move into Plaza Executive Suite which was 50 percent cheaper. The location was also ideal for us. There were halal restaurants within walking distance and the casino in Hyatt was right across our front door. Perfect!

Eagle Ridge Club House

Our contact in Manila had arranged for us to play with some Filipinos at Eagle Ridge Golf Club. Golf is such an exclusive game in the Philippines. Visitors must play with members in order to enjoy discounted fees. Otherwise, we had to fork out 3 to 5 times more to play. We arrived at the club house around 9am but our hosts were already hitting balls on the course. Since it was the club’s regulation to have members accompanying guests, we had to wait for Buddy, our hosts to finish the first nine. Finally, after almost 2 hours wait, we managed to tee off in 3 flights of 3 players each. I was paired with Buddy and his friend, M. Solon. Buddy called for a small bet of P100 per hole. We were almost evenly matched. Both of them rode in a golf cart and I walked alone.

With Buddy and his friend

Beautiful Fairways

Buddy teeing off

Eagle Ridge was one of the best courses that I played in my golfing life. There were four 18s and we played at Faldo’s course. Buddy told me that one par-5 was the most beautiful in Asia. It was beautiful indeed.

Unfotunately, the photo did not do any justice to the beautiful Par-5.

After reaching our new place of accommodation at the Executive Plaza Hotel, we fired our driver. He was a bit clueless when it came to finding golf courses. We went to have dinner at a Lebanese restaurant called Shawarma. where Shukor, our contact in Manila joined us. Then it was roulette time. Ramlan dropped by and we had a chat until past midnight.

The next day was a bit tough on us. We hardly slept the night before, making it 3 nights in a row. The golf and transport arrangement was in disarray. Luckily I was approached by a driver cum tourist guide, Henry ‘Bong’ Tenefrancia. He offered to take us to Canlubang Golf Club at reasonable fees. We agreed.

Canlubang fairways fringed by coconut trees

Doc Junaidy on the green

Doc having bunker trouble

Shahrul hitting the fairways

I am ok...

Except for Datuk, the rest sent the balls into the ravine (Par-3 Hole)

Henry was more like a tourist guide compared to the earlier chap. The ride to Canlubang was slow and after about 2 hours we reached the golf club. It did not look very impressive. It was built on a former coconut plantation. I had a good start, posting a par in the first hole. Somehow after 3 pars, my form began to deteriorate. To me, Canlubang was just an average course.

Manila could be chaotic at times. The traffic was bad and the jeepneys made it worse. Beggars were everywhere. They would knock on your car windows. Henry told me to knock the window from inside the car to signal that I am not giving any money. The streets were filled with kids, some too young (around 3 years old) to be dodging traffic trying to beg for money. They were on the street until very late at night. It was a pitiful sight.

Long Shadow of myself pointing the hole