Playing golf will always be one of the most pleasurable activities for me. It doesn’t matter so much how I play, with whom, or where. Just being at a golf course, having the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful game is always appreciated. Of course, there will be days that are better than others, but in general, a day out golfing will always be close to perfect.
A few weeks ago, I got invited to play at a course that will always be special to me — Canlubang Golf and Country Club. The invite was from a friend, Carlo Pineda, my college buddy and golf team captain. We were to play with another college friend Miggy Dy Buncio, and another teammate who I haven’t seen since college, Jon Syjuco. It was the end of January and with cool weather, a game at my favorite course, and a round with buddies I rarely see — it was a no brainer.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Canlubang. It will always be my “home course,” my favorite. When I started playing golf in the early 1990s, Canlubang was where my dad and I played most. I was in high school then, and we would play 3-4 times a week during summer.
We’d play every weekend during the rest of the year. We’d even play 36 holes on some days. Canlubang was where I broke 80 for the first time in a tournament. I still remember my first handicap at Canlubang: 27. It went down yearly, first to 24, then 18, then 12. And after about 4 years of playing, I was at 7. My first-ever golf trophy was at a tournament in Canlubang. It was a runner-up at a mixed scramble.
Members were paired with lady professionals. My first individual trophy was also at Cangolf. I shot 79 when my handicap that time was at 12. I remember it vividly because I started the day with a triple bogey 8 on the second hole of the North Course and proceeded to play the next 17 holes in 4-over par. It was my first time to start terribly and hold on to shoot a decent score.
Actually, even earlier, in the 1980s, my dad would bring us to Canlubang to hit some balls, swim and just play. I remember not being interested with golf then, but loved riding and getting to drive a golf cart. Oh, and I also loved the food, the unsweetened iced tea that they serve calamansi and a sugar cube (more of a rectangular block), that you’d break apart with your straw. I remember the homemade bread they used for sandwiches, the sizzling spaghetti. There are just so many fun memories of Cangolf for me.
Unfortunately, my playing privileges as a dependent ended at 21 years old, and my dad sold our share sometime after as Canlubang became too far for him to play regularly. But the memories and the time spent at our old home course will always be special, especially since my dad has already passed away.
Canlubang Golf and Country Club was established in the late 1970s and was the modern golf facility of the time. It was designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., with the clubhouse designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin. Before more modern courses like Southwoods, Orchard, Sta Elena and Malarayat were built in the 90s, Canlubang was lording it over in the south. I remember the DHL Amateur being a mainstay at Canlubang, as well as the Ateneo-La Salle Classic, which my dad, a La Sallian, and I, an Atenean would join every year. We had so much fun playing against each other, trash talking (from my dad) and cheering for each other when one of us won our divisions and scored points for our respective schools.
As a former member, I always thought that Canlubang’s special location was its main asset. It was far enough from industrial and residential developments that you won’t see any factories or houses while playing. It is a true plantation course, seeing only coconut trees and sugarcane fields as far as the eye can see. Being at the foot of the Tagaytay Ridge, mountain views and deep ravines are also part of Canlubang’s charm. The impeccable design also means no two holes look alike, and the North and South Courses each have their own distinct character. Canlubang’s friendly staff, headed by Darly Patalot also adds to the charm of the club. Cangolf also has great food. Specialties include Boneless Garlic Chicken, Shrimp Gambas and Bangus Sisig. Due to the course having a lot of Japanese expats as members, there is also decent Japanese food on the menu.
Honestly, there are courses with better facilities, better maintenance. Canlubang’s potential hasn’t been fully realized yet, and it needs a bit of a spruce-up. But even with its flaws, when it comes to golf, especially the layout, Canlubang remains hard to beat. Newer and better clubs are now all around but Canlubang will always be my home course, even if I am no longer a member.
