Baguio: The opening of the Camp John Hay golf course to the public following the turnover of the leased property to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority is boosting golf tourism while encouraging more local residents to take up the sport. "We are more open because our golf course is now public, and locals are already enjoying it," John Hay Management Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Manjit Singh Reandi said during a press conference Friday after the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club for the co-hosting of the 76th Fil-Am Golf Tournament. "As you can see in the driving range, many have started playing golf in Baguio," he added.
According to Philippines News Agency, Reandi said opening the course to the public and rehabilitating the driving range have encouraged beginners to learn the sport and regular golfers to play on the 18-hole course. He said that despite fewer tourist arrivals during the fuel price surge, restaurants, the golf course, and the golf club inside Camp John Hay continued to attract patrons. "My conclusion is that the momentum for domestic tourism, including golf tourism, has improved. For foreign arrivals, we are slowly getting there, but additional effort is needed," he said.
Eduardo Arguelles, president of Golfclub Management Corp., which operates the Camp John Hay golf facilities, said the course now averages about 120 players daily. "Compared with last year, our sales have gone up by 30 to 35 percent during the summer. Even in the rainy season, we are still seeing a 20 to 25 percent increase over last year," Arguelles said. Arguelles attributed the growth to greater public awareness that the course is now open to everyone, with advance reservations required to play. Under the previous private lessee, access to the golf course was limited to members, restricting public use of the facility.
Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony de Leon said Baguio remains well-positioned to strengthen its reputation as a golf destination, with Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club serving as its premier courses. He noted, however, that attracting more international golf tourists remains a challenge, as domestic visitors continue to outnumber foreign travelers. "There is still a lot of improvement needed for international visitors to use Baguio as a golfing destination," he said.
Earlier, Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Patrick Gregorio said the agency hopes to help develop Baguio into a golf hub to further strengthen the city's sports tourism industry.
