That means good news not just to nine-to-five yuppies, but golfers who fear heatstroke or sunburn. Imagine playing with a cool breeze blowing on your face, and added illumination from a romantic moon.
Owned and operated by the Philippine Tourism Authority, Club Intramuros offers these and more. The sprawling 23-hectare course is well-lit and is the country’s first day-and-night golf facility.
The 18-hole (par 66, 4,326 yards) Club Intramuros is situated along Roxas Boulevard just before the Del Pan Bridge on the south bank of the Pasig River and is adjacent to Fort Santiago.
Even non-golfers can partake of international cuisine and banquet facilities suitable for business meetings or leisurely gatherings.
If only the greens could talk, one would hear the many stories of war and peace. Indeed, Club Intramuros is full of history and nostalgia. Through the years, it has nurtured golfers of all ages – some of whom have become very successful not only in the golfing scene but also in the world of business, industry and politics.
The world-renowned group of golf course designers Dye and Associates, which has designed and built 17 of the world’s top 100 golf courses, was commissioned by the PTA to undertake the rehabilitation and design of the whole course. One of the Dye novelties for Intramuros is the use of Seashore Paspallum sawgrass, which reputed has a tolerance for brackish or salty water (which Intramuros has) and is also known for shade tolerance. Andy Dye, who closely supervised the design of the course, describes Club Intramuros as one of the most unique and exciting golf courses in the world with eight showcase par 3s, a great short par 5 where an eagle is possible and a collection of the most exciting, classic and unique par 4s anywhere in the world. It is designed to be an enjoyable test of skills for all levels of golfers. It has a great diversity of individual golf holes and an unlimited variety of shots to be mastered around its challenging pin placements – making it a different course every time it is played. Ask those celebrities included in the club’s roster like President Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos, Senators Rodolfo Biazon, Renato Cayetano, Tito Sotto, lawyer cum TV host Oscar Orbos, Manila Councilor Kim Atienza, Hyatt’s Abel Nolasco, tinseltown’s Richard Gomez, Jean Garcia, Mylene Dizon and Pops Fernandez.
For the first time, local golfers will see holes patterned after golf courses all over the world such as the 17th Green of TPC Sawgrass. This is characterized by a postage stamp-sized island green and is represented in Club Intramuros by its signature Hole No. 10. Other holes or greens from Agusta, Carnoostic and Nagoya are also represented in the Club. All of the holes that are guarded by water hazards have been decorated by adobe stones to match the 400-year-old walls of Intramuros.
On Sundays or holidays when Dad tees off early, his family can walk around the Walled City and discover the many charms of Intramuros. Hear mass at the Manila Cathedral or San Agustin Church. If you’re lucky, Fr. Gallende, curator of the San Agustin Museum, will give you a tour of the museum’s marvelous artifacts and paintings depicting St. Augustine and his followers. If you get hungry and are on the lookout for a cozy place to eat, Ilustrado restaurant is just around the corner. If you care for fine dining, Barbara’s welcomes your presence.
Along Puerta Isabelle, cafes and restaurants have also mushroomed to offer different delectable dishes and choices. At Fort Santiago, catch the wind or catch a PETA play.
Indeed, the old historic quarter of Intramuros and its environs have come to life again with Club Intramuros and other infrastructure developments. Watch out for the Luneta Boardwalk now under construction. Resembling Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf of breezy San Francisco in the US with its charming shops and restaurants, it will be the destination to beat.