Iloilo Golf and Country Club: The Oldest in the Philippines

Iloilo hosts the oldest existing golf course in the Philippines as declared by the National Historical Institute (NHI) in 2006. The conception of Sta. Barbara Golf Course was traced back to the Scottish Engineers of the Philippine Railway Company in 1907 during the heyday of the sugar industry in Iloilo. A quick backtrack to its history, in 1912 it was officially created as Sta. Barbara Golf and Country Club exclusively for British and Americans. In 1920 it has been affiliated with St. Andrews, FIFE, Scotland and has accepted Filipino Members. The Japanese has torn down the old clubhouse in 1941 and in 1947 was renamed to now Iloilo Golf and Country Club, Inc. (IGCCI).

The New and Modern Clubhouse

IGGCI is strategically located in the terrain glens of Brgy. San Sebastian, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. It started as a 9-hole golf course carved from the rolling hills of Sta. Barbara and now it is a full challenging 18-hole golf course (6,056 yardage) and plays to a par-70. It is also one of the most scenic golf course in the country most adept for pictorials in weddings and any projects that suit the ambience. The new clubhouse hosts a Pro Shop store and the Par 3 Grill Resturant.

Last Monday I was able to visit for the first time the historic golf course but unluckily we were unable to take much pictures because of the danger to be hit by the zapping golf balls. It was a holiday and that turned the place into a party ground for the golfing enthusiasts of Iloilo. I was able to talk to the front desk officer and she said that it was just ok to take photos around with any project you are conceptualizing as long as you come on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays except holidays with a letter of intent addressed to the General Manager ahead of your visit for approval. You may send it thru fax and one thing still, you need to put on your tennis shoes in order to roam around the course and to shot the best view at the upper floors of the clubhouse. Upon entering the perimeter of the course go directly to the clubhouse to seek the guidance of the front desk personnel  don;t just go around directly by your own. IGCCI is roughly a 10-minute ride away from the New Iloilo Airport.

For sure I’ll be visiting again, of course i’ll put on my tennis shoes to enjoy my visit. For more details you may visit the official website at www.iloilogolfclub.com or you may refer below.

Iloilo Golf & Country Club, Inc.
Jasper H. Suganob
Front Desk Clerk
Tel: (033) 523-9779
Fax: 63-33-5239777; 63-33-5239778
Celfone: (+63) 910-6816335
Email: sta.barbara@iloilogolfclub.com