We were all taught in our Philippine History classes about the three countries who colonized us. Britain considered in colonizing the Philippines and stayed for a few years. We did not become a British colony.
The origins of golf is unclear. The first golf game took place in 15th century Scotland. Golf in the Philippines began in 1886. British employees of the Manila Railway Company built a three-hole golf course in a paddy field in Intramuros. This sets the foundation of the Manila Golf Club.
The oldest golf course in the Philippines is the Santa Barbara Golf and Country or the Iloilo Golf and Country Club. It is located in Barangay San Sebastian, Santa Barbara, Iloilo. Scottish or Irish-depending which source you read-employees of the Panay Railways Company built it in 1907.
The first Philippine Open tournament was at the Manila Golf Club in 1913. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world. Larry Montes became the first Filipino champion in 1929. The Manila Golf Club transferred to Makati in 1949.
William James Shaw found The Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City. He was an American member of the Manila Golf Club which did not allow caddies inside. The Philippine Open Champion in 1929 was 16 year-old caddie Larry Montes. The club did not allow Montes to join the celebration. This angered Shaw urging him to establish his own golf club where discrimination will be prohibited. The construction of the first 18-holes or the East Course started in April 1931. The name came from the sound the crows make found around the area.
Various golf clubs in the country have hosted the Philippine Open. This proves how golf became popular in our country. The golf clubs which also held the Philippine Open throughout the years are: Valley Golf & Country Club, Villamor Golf Club, Puerto Azul Golf & Country Club, Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, Apo Golf & Country Club, The Riviera Golf Club, Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club, and the Luisita Golf & Country Club. The last Philippine Open was held at The Country Club in 2018.
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