The juxtaposition of the two nines makes for the quintessential Filipino
golf experience contrasting the environs of rainforest and ocean.
Yes, Anvaya
Golf and Sports Club and Subic International Golf Club offer similar
experiences, but Puerto Azul is a special site for golf. Everything is in your
face here; it's something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.
The
entry of the group of Salvador (Buddy) Zamora, Jr. revitalized the golf course.
His vision was a true championship golf course that was accessible to all in a
venue that highlights the Philippines as a golf destination.
The results so far
have been nothing short of stunning. The golf isn't bad, either.
The key was to
bring the course back up to spec in conditioning and playability. That meant
adding length to the golf course. Although the scorecard reads 7,097 from the
championship tees, because of the size of the tee boxes, it is possible to
stretch the course out to over 7,300-yards.
The length in and of itself
shouldn't be an issue, but the precision demanded but the often narrow
tree-lined fairways make finding the fairway absoulutely crucial to recording a
good score. So don't be shy about playing one of the forward tees, you'll have a
much better time on this stunning golf course.
The opening nine is the longer
and more difficult of the two. It takes you on the tour of the old grown
rainforest and up into the hills just above it. The first six holes comprise the
gauntlet; get through here relatively unscathed and you're in great shape.
The
shorter, narrower closing nine takes you into the adjacent valley and out
towards the sea. It's more exposed to the elements and with the prevailing wind
blowing into the golfer on seven of the nine holes, there is the potential of
more volatility here.
1. Par 5 Championship Tees (C) 654, Resort Tees, (R) 601,
Leisure Tees (L) 567, Forward Tees (F) 489, Handicap 7
Long par 5, dogleg to the
right. Penalty area bisects the fairway roughly 230 from the green. There is so
much to take in when you arrive on the first tee; the expanse of golf course in
front of you and the old growth rainforest lining every fairway. This is a very
long opening hole. The ideal target line is the 150-yard (to the front of the
green) stake.
Thankfully, the fairway is generous here and will forgive the
somewhat errant golf ball. The hole opens up on the second shot beyond the
hazard as the length of the hole makes itself felt. The green is a redan design
- sloping away on three sides, which although generous in size, is difficult to
hold with a long club.
2. Par 4 C 451, R 432, L 390, F 376, Handicap 9
Long par
4, hole doglegs slightly to the left just before the green. View off the tee is
restricted by the trees on the left. One of the longest of the par fours. The
further back the set of tees chosen, the more diminutive the view of the
fairway. The length of the hole is mitigated by the prevailing tailwind. Finding
the right half of the fairway gives you the best look at the green, shots from
the left half will need to draw around one of the huge trees that line the
fairways of the Zamora Championship Course. The front half of the ball will kick
the ball to the golfer's left, but find the center and the green slopes away
quite quickly.
3. Par 4 C 361, R 346, L 320, F 288, Handicap 1
Short par 4 and
the one-handicap to boot. A stream crosses the hole at multiple points and the
trees obstruct the ideal sight lines to the green. the fairway turns left after
the hazard then back again to the right at the green. Ironic how the shortest
par four on the golf course plays the most difficult. The hole isn't that hard
if you're willing to hit a couple of layups and play for bogey. The risk comes
when you want to make par or better. Playing short of the two penalty areas en
route to the green almost guarantees an easy bogey. Playing across the first
penalty area to get position to go for the green in regulation could yield a par
or a big number if you fail to execute. Choose your strategy wisely.
4. Par 4 C
441, R 367, L 333, F 321, Handicap 3
Long par 4, dogleg right. Bunkers guard
both sides of the dogleg. Another long par four that plays into the teeth of the
prevailing wind. The hole doglegs to the right making the prudent play to find
the left half of the fairway. This allows you to avoid that trees that guard the
right side of the dogleg. The back half of the green slopes away from the line
of play so club appropriately for the shot into the green.
5. Par 5 C 537, R
437, L 413, F 377, Handicap 13
This short par five doglegs to the left. A stream
crosses the fairway twice enroute to a pond on the left side of the green. There
isn't much space to miss on the shortest par five on the golf course. Keep it in
play and you could be looking at a birdie or better. Play to the right side of
the fairway both off the tee and when playing at or into the green. Your best
scoring opportunity on the front side.
6. Par 4 C 448, R 422, L 393, F 343,
Handicap 5
The island (well, not quite) green hole. Long dogleg left, with a
water hazard that guards the left side of the hole then crosses the fairway. The
pond beyond the green make it play effectively like an island green. The hole is
made even more difficult by the prevailing headwind. Club carefully going into
the green and take time to look back up the fairway when you leave the green;
the view back is majestic.
7. Par 3 C 197, R 158, L 131, F 111, Handicap 17
The
guitar hole. So christened as the shape of the green and the position of the tee
boxes suggest the shape of an electric guitar. This is also the largest green on
the golf course so club judiciously.
8. Par 4, C 371, R 351, L 333, F 284,
Handicap 11
The hole plays longer than the scorecard might suggest as the
fairway climbs up to the highest point on the golf course before dropping
slightly to the green. A spectacular hole that offers a clear view of the
mountainous terrain separating the provinces of Cavite and Batagas. Getting to
the highest, flattest part of the fairway affords the best angle from which to
attack the green below.
9. Par 3 C 183, R 164, L 157, F 133, Handicap 15
The "Z"
hole - named as such since the green was built in the rough shape of the letter
"Z". The large green provides a generous target for the elevated tees. The best
place for a photo op on the outward nine. This is a spectacular par 3 with the
green set far below the tees. As a result, it plays as much as 40-yards shorter
than indicated on the card. Find the putting surface, make your par and prepare
yourself for the back nine.
10. Par 5 C 536, R 505, L 480, F 460, Handicap 4
The
toughest of the par fives. The hole doglegs to the right up the hill and the
fairway narrows as it does so. There's a creek that crosses the fairway about
85-yards from the green. Laying up in a good spot just short of said creek puts
you in the ideal spot to attack the three-tiered green.
11. Par 3 C 157, R 147,
L 136, F 127, Handicap 18
This side is home to the course's most beautiful par
threes. 11 calls to mind the 7th hole at Pebble Beach; it's a stunning par three
that plays towards the ocean. Be mindful of the everpresent breeze when clubbing
for your tee shot.
12. Par 4 C 402, R 371, L 342, F 261, Handicap 12
A short par
4 that doglegs to the left around the mountain. The hole shares a double green
with hole number fourteen. An elevated tee shot provides you with a number of
options off the tee. The safe play is to play to the left of the 150-yard stake
in the middle of the fairway. Those with the ability to draw the ball will find
that the hole sets up perfectly for them. The bold line is over the trees that
line the hillside on the left. A high fade will leave you within 100-yards of
the elevated green. Make sure to club accurately as a small stream meanders
across the front of the green.
13. Par 5 C 531, R 509, L 479, F 444, Handicap 10
Long, straight, par five. Tray to create angles for yourself by placing your tee
shot on one side or the other of the fairway. Faders will love the right side of
the fairway, even venturing towards the right rough to create and angle for
their second shot. Conversely, drawers of the golf ball will need to skirt the
left rough to create enough of an angle to avoid the overhanging branches of the
Mahogany trees that line the creek that guards the right side of the hole. The
green rises quite a ways above the fairway, to club into the green
appropriately.
14. Par 4 C 398, R 369, L 348, F 312, Handicap 6
A short par four
whose length belies the difficulty to which it plays. There is extreme pressure
on the tee shot; the tees are set back in a narrow chute with the mountain on
the left and a creek all the way up the right. The fairway begins to widen
around the 150-yard stake but the hole does favor a draw over a fade. The
prevailing ocean breeze will play havoc with the approach into the green. The
contours of the green are subtle and make it often problematic to read.
15. Par
4 C 425, R 406, L 378, F 346, Handicap 14
Medium length par four of moderate
difficulty. That changes quickly when the wind picks up as it plays directly
into the teeth of it. The large green features a bowl on the left front with the
rest of the green elevated above it. Steer clear of the swamp on the right and
all will be well.
16. Par 4 C 351, R 329, L 307, F 274, Handicap 16
The green of
this short par four is one of the favorite spots for a photo opportunity on this
side of the golf course. Like fifteen this is an easy hole when the wind isn't
blowing. Position your tee shot on the fairway just short of the trees and
you'll be in in the best spot from which to attack the green. Try not to hold up
the flight behind you when you're taking pictures.
17. Par 3 C 229, R 216, L
167, F 150, Handicap 2
The par three seventeenth has always been the golf
course's signature hole. It's also the most difficult home on the inward nine.
The bunkers that used to guard the bailout area have been removed and the green
recontoured but the hole remains essentially as it has since the course first
opened. The prevailing wind blows predominantly from the left and into the
golfer's face. The green has multiple levels and is one of the smaller ones on
the golf course.
18. Par 4 C 427, R 404, L 382, F 342, Handicap 8
One of the
most picturesque holes on an already picturesque golf course. You'll need two
heroic shots to get to the green in regulation. The tee shot must carry the
beach that borders the left side of the fairway. Of course, finding the fairway
is just the first part of your task. Your second shot must carry the lake that
guards the front of the green. If you can't carry the pond then your only option
is to lay up just right of it and try to get up and down. A two-putt par is
going to be a really satisfying way to end your day.
