Legendary golf architect Robert Trent Jones honored

Renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones shares his passion for the sport with avid golf enthusiasts and guests after receiving well-deserved recognition recently as the designer of the 18-hole, all-weather course of Ayala Greenfield Estates.

Jones was honored during a well-attended affair dubbed "For the Love of Golf" at the Shangri-La Makati, where his latest creation that will serve as centerpiece of the country’s only true golf community in Calamba, Laguna was shown through a special video presentation.

The management of Ayala Land Inc. led by Fernando Zobel de Ayala and the Greenfield Development Corp. headed by Butch and Jeffrey Campos hosted the cocktails. Ayala Land Inc. and Greenfield Development Corp. are the joint developers of Ayala Greenfield Estates.

Golfers and guests wanting a more detailed view of the course layout and other leisure amenities of Ayala Greenfield Estates flocked to the computer terminals that featured an animation of the project and a virtual flyby of the golf course.

Unlike other developments, the Ayala Greenfield Estate is considered the country’s only true golf community because residents are entitled to a golf share for every lot owned.

In brief remarks during the affair, the builder of more than 200 golf courses in 38 countries on six continents underscored his vision to always craft a course that will not only challenge serious golfers but also preserve the character of its natural setting.

It is this commitment to protect nature while creating a course with a balanced challenge and playability that has made the value of all Bobby Jones’ golf courses endure better than other courses by other golf architects.

To illustrate this point, Bobby Jones decided against chopping off sections of one of the prominent hills in the area and wrapped some of the back nine holes around its base.

When finished, the golfers will be hitting from fairways bordered by the hill’s grassy slopes, wooded rills and cinder cliffs after earlier tackling the front nine which offers an unhampered view of the forested slopes of Mt. Makiling.

Bobby Jones said Ayala Greenfield Estates is unique because it was designed to challenge the minds of the golfers and at the same time allow them to share the excitement of the game with their families.

"Ayala Greenfield Estates is a family golf course. It is not only ffor golfers, but also for kids because they have a place to play there too," Jones emphasized.

There will be no golf widows or orphans at the Ayala Greenfield Estates since the AGE Leisure Club boasts of a lot of first-class facilities including an infinity swimming pool, a game room, a spa and wellness center, multi-sports gym, a kiddie playground and Locsin-designed clubhouse overlooking Laguna de Bay.

Jones had nothing but praise for AGE. "It is a beautiful place. I call it a castle on a hill, like a new Camelot. I hope everyone can come and see the beauty of the place and yes, enjoy a game of golf."

To cap the evening, Jones gifted new lot owners with an autographed copy of his book "Golf by Design."

Construction of the Ayala Greenfield Estates course is currently in full swing. The first 9 holes is expected to be completed by mid-2004, while the entire course would be finished by the end of next year and will be playable by first quarter of 2005.

For more details on Ayala Greenfield Estates, please call 848-5000 or log on to www.ayalaland.com.ph or email at [email protected].