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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.
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
