Unique golfing experience

The Ayala group has always been known for building world-class golfing communities, Manila Golf right inside Forbes Park followed by  Alabang Golf and Country Club inside Alabang Village, Ayala Greenfield in Laguna, and Ayala Hillside in Quezon City where the group is currently maintaing Capitol Golf and Country Club.

And just yesterday, Ayala Land Premier launched its newest golfing jewel – Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club in Morong, Bataan.

A number of the country’s professional ladies golfers were among the first to try out this unique 18-hole all-weather Par 72 golf course designed by California-based design firm GolfPlan and almost all of them said they will definitely come back.

Heidi Chua who played from the blue tee says that the course is very challenging, especially the greens which are receptive.

What she finds fulfilling about playing Anvaya is the fact that good shots are rewarded. “That is an indication that a golf course is good, if you get rewarded for good shot. Here, if you hit well, it’s fair. And I was able to use most of my clubs.”

Just like Jayvee Agojo, Heidi found herself doing “selfie” and grabbing their phones because every hole was scenic and offered a unique view – either of the forest, the sea, or the mountains.

Jayvee’s favorites – Holes 11 and 12 because of the view.

Cyna Rodriguez agrees that Anvaya Golf offers very good scenery and says that it has the makings of an iconic golf course. “I hope they will hold more tournaments here. I wasnt expecting the greens to be that good.  The course is really different. It’s very hilly, windy, the greens are fast and the bunkers are USGA level. I hope we get to play tournaments here.”

Sarah Ababa, who happened to be my flight mate, found the course difficult. “ Maraming hazard, maiksi kasi white tee ako, pero yung greens hindi nagba-bite, ang kapal ng sand sa bunkers. Favorite ko Hole no. 10. Babalik ako dito, kahit mag-commute,” she said.

Apples Fudolin, another player on the ICTSI professional ladies golf tour, found Holes 10 and 15 very challenging. “Hindi kailangang driver ang gamitin all the time. Importante ang placing.”

Lovelyn Guioguio, a former mainstay of the Del Monte team before turning pro, finds the course layout very challenging. “Malinis, and yung sand, parang sa Boracay. Importante, course management. And of course, ang ganda ng view.”

Front  9 or Mountain Nine is situated along the peaks and ridges of the development, giving golfers an elevated view of the sea and the Zambales and Bataan mountain ranges. Meanwhile, back 9 is labeled ‘Seaside Nine,’ since its layout combines panoramic sea views and nature preserves,” the group explained.

Before the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, this writer chanced up Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land chairman, who said he was very happy with how Anvaya Cove Golf turned out. He said he tried playing golf in the past and smiled. He is sure though that the group will be developing golf courses in its future leisure developments. “Golf will be a mainstay in our leisure developments,” he adds.

Ayala Land Premier spent more than P1 billion to develop the Anvaya Golf Course and over P10 billion for the entire 470-hectare Anvaya Cove development, which includes subdivisions, condominiums, the beach and nature club, a sports club, to name a few, according to company head Jose Juan Jugo. And about P2 billion has been allocated for 2014 to cover two more phases, namely another subdivision and condominium.

Ayala Land president Tony Aquino says that Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club is the very best that they have been able to deliver thus far, with its stunning view of the sea and mountain side.

He also revealed that some more golfing communities are in the drawing board to be developed in places where there is a certain amount of scale and which offer something unique.

Asked what their favorite holes are, George Cadhit, Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club GM, says it would be Hole 10 because of its 20-meter drop, followed by Hole 11 which offers a 180-degree view of the ocean, Hole 12 which goes down to the beach front, Hole 13 which he considers the best hole - a par 3, 137 yards downhill.

For Jugo, it has to be Hole 13 which he says is a beautiful hole right by the shore.

For Kevin Ramsey, GolfPlan VP and the golf course architect, he likes Hole 11 given its amazing setting; a short par 4 which gives a very good risk-reward balance. “It’s very tempting to do the long shot but this hole will make you really think what to do with it.”

Right now, Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club has 750 members and the number is expected to reach 1,000 by next year. For non-golfers, there is the sports club that features extensive gym facilities, game room, sports courts and slated to open first quarter of next year.

And of course, there is the beach, pool complex, nature trails, spa, name it.

By early next year, the Ayala group will be adding another golf development in its portfolio with the opening of its first public golf course along Daang Hari near Ayala Southvale subdivision, ALI president Tony Aquino told this writer. “It will be kind of flat unlike our other golf courses given the location. But it will definitely be an experience to play it. We don’t have a name for it yet, maybe Southvale,” he said.

Family feud

Money changes everything, and so the song goes.

A brother has filed  charges of  estafa and qualified theft just  last Monday against his  own sister whom he accused of defrauding the family corporation of $320,000  before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

The complainant said the case is without prejudice to the filing of charges against other individuals  including  lawyers who participated in the illegal taking of company funds.

​Prudencio Lim Jr., president and general manager of La Fuerza, Inc. (LFI),  charged his sister Mary Jane Lim-Yu, director and former corporate secretary, for illegally withdrawing company investments and failing to account  for them so far.

​ LFI made the investment in 2005  at the Citybank N.A. in Makati. Lim alleged that Yu terminated the plan in July 2007, which would otherwise mature  on Jan. 31, 2012, prematurely and without authority after which she took the  $302,144 but has not remitted it to the company despite a  demand letter dated Aug. 31, 2012.

​LFI was famous for distilling  Vos Brandy and Siok Tong.  Later it diversified  into real estate and investment.

The complainant  added that around the time of investment, the company  uncovered anomalies perpetrated  by Yu such as falsifying corporate documents, entering into transactions without authority and misappropriating and converting  funds.

He also claimed that Yu falsified a secretary’s certificate stating that a board meeting was held on June 1, 2006  authorizing her to be the signatory in the company’s bank transactions.

Lim likewise said in his complaint that respondent also took the P800,000 proceeds  from check encashed by LFI personnel for the corporation and another P60,000 intended for corporate use.

As a result of the anomalies uncovered, Yu was removed as LFI corporate secretary on Jan. 31, 2007.

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