Golf courses bear brunt of COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — A number of top golf courses outside of the metropolis face a challenging month or so after President Duterte placed the entire Metro Manila under “community quarantine” following his approval of the recommendation to raise the Code Alert System for COVID-19 to Code Red Sublevel 2.

“This is a big beating,” said Splendido Taal Golf Club general manager Bobby Chico in anticipation of a drop in the number of players in the coming days since some of their members and guests come from the Big City and nearby towns.

“We have seen a drop in number of players despite our continued operation,” said golf director Jerome Delariarte of Manila Southwoods, which boasts two championship courses – Masters and Legends – in Carmona, Cavite.

Ayala Greenfield Estates in Calamba, Laguna also noted a drop in attendance. But general manager Buddy Resurreccion said they still have many playing members who are not from the Big City.