Sta. Elena Golf Club – 19th–27th & 1st–9th Course

Course Data
LocationManila, Philippines
Yardage7205 yards　Par 72
Course Rating74.8
Playing Date29 Jan. 2005
DesingnerRobert Trent Jones Jr.
Opened1993
CaddyYes
Golf CartYes (Can be driven on the fairways)
Rating
Overall Rating
5.25
Course Layout
6
Difficulty Level
5
Greens Conditions
5
Fairways Conditions
4
Landscaping & Views
5
This 27-hole championship course is one of the masterpieces designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The flat course is in lush forests with good scenery and a rural atmosphere, which blends perfectly with the surrounding environment. Water comes into play on many holes on the front 9 while there is a lot of variation with doglegs left & right on the back 9. No hole really stands out as “a signature hole.” Rather, the holes seem to flow harmoniously together, taking full advantage of the ravines and gently rolling terrain. The greens are good and fast, which surely attracts advanced players. Among the 27 holes, the combination of Holes 19-27 and Holes 1-9 is the most fun to play.

A view from the clubhouse　

A view from the clubhouse

A green and a matured tree on the right
 
20th　 Par 4　420 yards

20th　 Par 4　420 yards (2)

20th　 Par 4　420 yards (1)
An errant tee shot gives you trouble because the relatively tight fairway is guarded by trees on both sides. The green is narrow in depth and guarded by a bunker on the right and a hollow on the left.
 
21th　Par 3　177 yards

21th　 Par 3　177 yards (2)

21th　 Par 3　177 yards (1)
A par 3 over a river with great scenery. The river runs from the front of the green to the left side.
 
22th　 Par 5　550 yards
An almost straight hole with river on the right. The green is swung to the right and the river crosses in front of it. The approach shot is intimidating because the edge of the green is a wall bordering the river.
 

22th　 Par 5　550 yards (3)

22th　 Par 5　550 yards (2)

22th　 Par 5　550 yards (1)
 
26th　 Par 5　583 yards
The right side of the narrow fairway faces a lake on the tee shot, so an accurate drive is needed. A creek runs along the right of the fairway and the green on the slightly uphill second & third shots.


26th　 Par 5　583 yards (3)

26th　 Par 5　583 yards (2)

26th　 Par 5　583 yards (1)
　
2nd　 Par 3　196 yards

2nd hole seen from the green

2nd　 Par 3　196 yards
A beautiful par 3. A bunker in front of the green comes into play. A lake and its surrounding scenery seen from the green are excellent.
　
3rd　 Par 5　570 yards
A challenging dogleg to the left with a lake on the left of the fairway as you drive and well positioned bunkers on the right side 220-240 yards off the tee. The tight fairway is guarded on both sides by bunkers on the second shot. The green is big and slopes slightly from the back to the front.
 

3rd　 Par 5　570 yards (3)

3rd　 Par 5　570 yards (2)

3rd　 Par 5　570 yards (1)
　
5th　 Par 4　420 yards

5th　 Par 4　420 yards (2)

5th　 Par 4　420 yards (1)
A difficult and straight hole. The tee shot is intimidating because overhanging trees squeeze the right side of the fairway. The second shot is over the river and you should hit long rather than short because the front side of the green faces the water. However, if you hit over the green, the downhill approach shot is demanding because it slopes to the river. The key to success on this hole is an accurate second shot. This is a hole where you are very happy saving par.
　
6th　 Par 4　411 yards

6th　 Par 4　411 yards (2)

6th　 Par 4　411 yards (1)
A challenging, slightly dogleg to the left with a lake facing the left of the narrow fairway. It feels much longer than the yardage because the wind often blows against you. The green is swung to the left and its front side faces the lake. The green is narrow in depth is also guarded by a deep bunker on the right and a hazard on the left, so a precise shot is needed to hit the green.
　
8th　 Par 5　548 yards
A par 5 curving to the right and then further to the right like a crescent moon. A long hitter can hit the green in 2 by making a short cut over the ravine on the second shot. When you decide to lay up, it is safe to place the second shot to the left of the fairway bunker positioned right over the ravine.
 

8th　 Par 5　548 yards (3)

8th　 Par 5　548 yards (2)

8th　 Par 5　548 yards (1)
　
19th hole

Restaurant

It takes one hour by car from Central Manila. You need to be accompanied by a member to play here. The restaurant was comfortable and the meals were delicious and inexpensive. The caddies were well trained.

The course was voted as the best course in the Philippines by Golf Magazine Asia in 2003 and 2004.

The other Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed courses in the Philippines are Canlubang G&CC, Caltagan GC, Summit Point GC and Pueblo De Oro G&CC. His father designed Luisita G&CC, the only course Robert Trent Jones Sr.’ s designed in Asia.