Baguio Country Club spruces up for world’s biggest tournament

Baguio City has kicked off the Yuletide season with the staging of the historic and prestigious Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament, the world’s largest and one of the oldest golf tournaments, for the past 52 years.

And this year, from Dec. 2-7, Baguio Country Club (BCC) will again host 600 players comprising 60 local and foreign teams in the 53rd edition of the tournament, in a week of fellowship and friendly competition aimed to foster international harmony and goodwill.

"We are so happy to be part of this. Where else could you find a tournament that features the most number of players and six rounds of golf in one event? That is why we cherish the Fil-Am," said Anthony de Leon, the newly appointed general manager of BCC.

One of the country’s oldest clubs, BCC joined Camp John Hay (CJH) as a co-host of the Fil-Am tournament in 1957. This allowed further expansion in the capability to fit the ever-increasing number of participants. Both golf courses have established reputations placing them in good stead in the world rankings.

BCC offers its members and golf enthusiasts a pleasurable and quaint 18-hole, par-61, 4,038-yard course nestled 5,000 feet above sea level and designed by Filipino golfing great Luis "Golem" Silverio.

The golf course features a unique layout consisting of seven par 4s and eleven par 3s. The tough and long par 3s are lined with pine trees and elevated greens and measures at an average of 196 yards. The shortest par 3 is in Hole No. 9 with a distance of 192 yards while the longest par 4 is in Hole No. 3 with 386 yards.

"Accuracy is crucial when playing our course because of the tight fairways," says de Leon. "One will need to have precise middle and long iron shots to score well. "Aside from that, players from all over, who have tested the character of the course, truly admire our beautiful and undulating mountain terrain. It may be short, but it never fails to satisfy them," he added.

In preparation also for the Fil-Am, BCC is undergoing a massive renovation program for its Roman Ozaeta Wing. A total of 95 rooms are upgraded to provide the guests with greater comfort and a more enjoyable experience.

"We started the renovation during the lean season so as not to adversely affect our regular operations, especially when the peak season comes. Construction is on 24 hours a day. We hope to complete everything next month," De Leon said.

De Leon added that, "the privacy in each room will improved through design and architecture, resulting in an enhanced soundproofing. The facade will be visually appealing and more in keeping with the pinewood theme already present in the veranda and swimming pool areas."

Francisco Mañosa and Partners and B.P. Loy Groundpaces and Builders are taking care of the design, character and ambience of the new rooms. The design features the colors, artifacts and artworks of the Northern Cordillera to show the guests of the rich heritage of the BCC and province that is its home.