Manila Times: Manila Southwoods living up to its lofty reputation

Tue 26 January 2021

High-handicap golfers can hone their skills and have fun at the same time at the Legends course with its 6,912 yards total, 18-holes and par 72.

Manila Southwoods’ other par 72 course, the Masters, is well-known in the international golfing community due to its demanding 18 holes. No wonder it was selected as the Philippines’ Best Golf Course by the World Golf Awards.

Aside from a lengthy 7,342-yard playing area, the Masters boasts of its narrow fairways, vast water hazards and series of sand traps that are arduous enough even for the most grizzled veterans.

Being a recreational golfer, I enjoyed playing on the Legends course due to its shorter distance, wider fairways and fewer water hazards.

Even though the Legends is the more golfer-friendly course among the two, it does not mean that it is not challenging at all.

The yardage of each hole could be shorter but getting to the greens need not only long drives and accuracy is a must to avoid the sand traps guarding them.

Speaking about bunkers, the Legends’ par 4, 15th hole probably has the largest sand trap in all golf courses in the country. With nearly 150 yards of sand waste, surely you would not want to hit a hook. Otherwise, get ready to mark your scorecard with a double-bogey or beyond.

Aside from the fifteenth, Legends’ par 5, 17th hole should also not be taken lightly as the long dogleg will require you at least three strokes to reach its green with a bunker on its left and massive water on the right.

Apart from the challenging 15th and 17th holes, the rest of the Legends course is fair and straight, perfectly fit for juniors, weekend players, and beginner golfers.

Safety first

Manila Southwoods has well-maintained and world-class golf facilities that strictly follow Covid-19 protocols. All players are required to wear facemasks on the course and always follow the 2-meter social distancing rule.

Sharing of golf carts is prohibited. Should the player choose to walk the course during the game, the club will provide a pull cart instead.

Under the municipal ordinance, players who enter the club must install the digital contact tracking scanners on their mobile phones.

The Manila Southwoods also has a sports club where members and guests can enjoy its basketball court, tennis courts, badminton courts, swimming pools and bowling lanes.

Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club is located at Southwoods Boulevard, Barangay Cabilang Baybay, General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.