Golf clubhouse like no other

MANILA, Philippines - One of the best features of South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully-integrated and all-themed golf resort city at the forefront of the Metro Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay corridor, and recipient of the Best Golf Community Development title by the CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property awards programme, is its world-class 18-hole golf course and its crown jewel, the golf clubhouse.

National Identity. This masterpiece golf clubhouse is the epitome of Filipino architecture and tropical design. It takes into account traditional elements of cross ventilation with the use of properly located openings and raised floors, solar orientation maximizing on natural lighting, the use of color and local materials exuding the native culture, and general site reference that includes access and, more importantly, the view. In a nutshell, the built environment is inextricably linked with the natural environment.

From the approach, the whole clubhouse appears like a huge, traditional bahay kubo which stands on wooden stilts that allows the refreshing Tagaytay-like breeze to permeate through and around the structure, cooling it in the process. The peripheral glass wall allows for a sweeping view of the manicured fairways and lush forests in the background, as well as allow for maximum natural light to illuminate the interior spaces. Its prominent five-meter overhang and eaves, which give the impression of a bird taking to flight, protect the main areas from the harsh afternoon sun and stinging heat.

Mi Casa es Su Casa. Noted for our brand of genuine hospitality, the spacious and airy entrance lobby is enough a warm welcome to greet members and guests eager to hit the greens. Beside the reception counter is the pro-shop where members can purchase last minute golfing articles or bring home some souvenir items. A unique helical staircase at the center of the lobby provides access to the function rooms at the mezzanine or the locker rooms on the lower level.

Beyond the lobby is an even larger space — the central dining area — where members, families and guests can continue sharing experiences while partaking of the menu of the day. This enormous space, where a huge gathering is expected, is not warm at all. The high ceiling which follows the slope of the steep roof leads the warm air upward where it vents out.

Private functions like meetings or parties are best conducted up on the mezzanine. Its wide hallway overlooks the central dining area on the main level, even a peek at the golf course through the glass panels running along the perimeter.

The lower level is devoted to the men’s and women’s lockers, complete with a relaxing lounge, dry sauna, and toilet and shower facilities. At the end of the corridor is the golf cart terminal where every good golf game begins and concludes.

Vantage Point. Richard Diedrich, a noted golf clubhouse in the United States, reveals in an article that the best overall designs are those clubhouses which best integrates the structure and the golf course through its terraces with sweeping views of the finishing holes.

“From the golfer’s point of view out on the course, the clubhouse, especially when it’s all aglow at twilight, is home port,” Diedrich says. “That relationship between the structure and the course is the essence, the constant, that I hope never changes.”

South Forbes’ golf clubhouse has an effective 50 meters of gallery view to witness the culmination of an exciting tournament. Its glass parapet offers no visual barrier even when the viewer is seated alongside. On normal days, al fresco diners along the balcony have an unobstructed panoramic view of Mt. Makiling and the Laguna expanse in the lowlands.

Move in right here, right now. Call 635-7777 or 631-8855 for a free city tour or log on to www.southforbes.com for more information.