Visit the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Santa Barbara, Iloilo

Take a step back in time and relish how the rich and the mighty enjoyed the good life. The Iloilo Golf and Country Club, recognized as the oldest golf course in the Philippines will give you that tranquil feel.


Formerly and informally known as the Santa Barbara Golf Course, it is located in Brgy. San Sebastian, Santa Barbara, a municipality 15 minutes away from the city center. It sits on 35 hectares of plain and rolling hills.


The coming of the Americans ushered in a period of progress, which triggered the construction of highways and railroad system. The service of British and Scottish engineers was tapped, who worked on the Panay Railways’ project of connecting Iloilo City and then-Municipality of Capiz (now Roxas City).




Being lovers of golf, the Scots and Englishmen looked into golf for their pastime. They find the rolling hills in Santa Barbara a reminder of their homeland, conveniently situated near the route of the railway system and just 15 km away from Iloilo City. And so, Santa Barbara Golf Course was opened in 1907. In 1912, the Santa Barbara Golf and Country Club was organized, which was only exclusive to Westerners.


Originally a crude 9-hole course, the location is dotted by acacia trees and ponds. Small nipa huts, which are now parking spaces, were built at the entrance of the course to provide shelter to the golfers.


In 1920, Filipinos were admitted to the club, which included the who’s who in Iloilo’s society and politics, like the brothers Eugenio  and Fernando Lopez, progenitors of one of the country’s greatest fortunes. Also in the same year, the club became the first Philippine club to be an affiliate of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland.


But the serene and tranquil calm that the golf course has to offer was temporarily disturbed by the ravages of World War II, when Japanese forces occupied the place, burning the clubhouse in 1941.  The advancing American forces eventually recaptured the golf course and made it their temporary headquarters in 1945. 


In 1947, the club was back on its feet and was renamed Iloilo Golf and Country Club. The club, has since then never ceased operation and in 2006, it was recognized as the oldest existing golf course in the Philippines.


Read more about the Iloilo Golf and Country Club at Explore Iloilo and Experience Sta. Barbara.

Visit the Iloilo Golf and Country Club
Iloilo Golf & Country Club, Inc.
Brgy. San Sebastian
Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Tel: (033) 523-9779
Fax: 63-33-5239777; 63-33-5239778
Cellphone: (+63) 910-6816335
Email: sta.barbara@iloilogolfclub.com