What golfers who frequent the greens by the walls like about the course:
Playing under the lights
It is an eerie feeling to play under the lights. Everything seems as bright as day on the ground once you’ve adjusted to the colors and the shadows. But when the ball is in the air, for a while, you lose sight of it, and after it comes down, it’s surprising how the lights can affect distance perception. But walking by the walls and seeing the lights bounce off the stones, the moon above and the bright lights of vibrant Manila, is like being in a nightclub carpeted with Paspalum.
Umbrella girls
There are scores of pretty, charming, and witty ladies to hold your umbrella over your head, rain or shine. The caddies are indispensable, but for some, the same may be said of the Umbrella girls. No matter how many balls you lose, they are always ready to commiserate and lend moral support to you as you play your game.
The walls
Whatever the time of the day; the wals, the miradors, parapets and the stones themselves always seem to talk to the golfer who will lend an ear. There are murmurs from history, laughter everywhere, and cries of wars past whispered in various languages of Spanish, Japanese, English and Filipino.
Excerpts from the article “If these walls could talk” by Dr. Vince Gomez published originally in the October-November issue of Golf Digest Philippines.
Enjoy a unique golf sojourn in Ayala Greenfield
Cradled within the slopes of Calamba, Laguna, basking in the warmth of magnificent Mt. Makiling, is a new golfing experience within nature’s bounty. 18 holes of lush greenery overlooking majestic Mt. Makiling challenges every player. The front nine is a long, beautiful, winding road of picturesque greens and snaking asphalt. The back nine cuddles little Mt. Masaia and offers a shadowy glimpse of every obstacle that comes your way. World-renowned architect Trent Jones II lent his human touch and designed this par 72 championship course that sits proudly on Ayala Land. Ayala Greenfield Estates’ golf course boasts of a wide range of shot-making options that will surely delight the senses and challenge your creativity. Let this playground surprise you.
Below are descriptions on how to play the hole. Keep in mind that the slopes of playing a mountain course almost always have an effect on how the greens break. So maintain a good strategy, remember not to lose sight of your target and you’ll surely enjoy playing in nature’s embrace.
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Cambodia’s first professional golf tournament has received a huge boost following a title sponsorship agreement with Johnnie Walker, officials announced today.
The inaugural US$300,000 Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will be played at the spectacular Phokeethra Country Club, which is also a main tournament sponsor. The event, slated from November 29 to December 2, is destined to feature prominently on the Asian Tour Schedule.
The Cambodian government is throwing its weight behind the country’s first venture in golf, heralding the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open as the dawn of a new era, and it aims to firmly place Cambodia on the international golfing map and ultimately create a breed of champions.
As it is the penultimate event on the 2007 Asian Tour Schedule, all eyes will be on the region’s best players battling for the coveted UBS Order of Merit trophy.
The Asian Tour, which is the official regional sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, has also pledged to support the development of golf in Cambodia by being actively involved with plans to launch a golf development programme.
Johnnie Walker’s Sam Fischer, general manager for Indochina, said: “We are very honored to have this opportunity to work with the Phokeethra Country Club and Asian Tour on the Cambodian Open, and we look forward to watching some truly inspirational golf in Cambodia in November.
“Most of all, the tournament is a platform to promote the philosophy that lies at the heart of the Johnnie Walker brand: Keep Walking. This philosophy is about inspiring people to take the next step on their journey towards their goals. Professional Golfers are inspiring examples of this message as they have overcome challenges to excel at the highest level of the sport. We hope that the tournament inspires others to follow their own dreams.â€
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July 16, 2007 - 2:10 pm
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jong
If Mother Nature could build a golf course, Sherwood Hills Golf Club is the course she’d build. In this case, one in which Jack Nicklaus lent her a helping hand. Sherwood Hills is one of only three signature courses in the country by the Golden Bear; the other two being at The Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club. But Sherwood is closest to the Great One’s heart.
The Natural
by Mike Besa
photos by Carlo Ma. Guerrero
A masterful piece of a challenge bestowed by Nature and superbly crafted by Nicklaus
Sherwood Hills Vice-Chair, Freddie Campos, relates that he brought Nicklaus to the site to show him the property while Campos was working on Southwoods. The original concept for Sherwood Hills was to be 36 holes of golf with each of the nines designed by Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Watson, the protagonists of the original Skins Game aired on television. After touring the property, Nicklaus turned to Campos and said, “If you let me do the entire property, I’ll cut my fee in half.â€
Location:This course is inside Fort Bonifacio across the Driving range beside the parade grounds. There is easy access from C5 and the South Super HiWay.
Features: It is a 9 hole course with different tee boxes for the second nine. It also has lights but they are not kept on every night. It’s a par 66 and the yardage is 4200 yards for the men and 3600 for ladies. The course is short and some par 4s are under 270 yards but the holes have big ponds and hazards forcing golfers to lay up. However, for a beginner, this is good because few beginners can hit drivers or three woods far enough to reach the green. However, because some of the par 3s have hard carries over water, then the beginner might even have to lay up on a par 3 unless you can afford to lose balls. Still, the course, overall is friendly and easy to walk and if the lights are on, you can play after work. There is not much traffic on the course so you will always see lots and lots of beginners practicing and hitting two or three balls on weekdays.
Amenities: There is, of course, a driving range and putting green but no real clubhouse, just a restaurant. The good thing is there are lots and lots of teaching pros around and the club is open to your having your teaching pro walk with you and teach you as you practice and play.
What You Need: Shots that can carry over hazards, ditches and bunkers. If you can’t make your ball fly and your shot just rolls along, then this “easyâ€
