Golf Country Clubs

Subic Bay Articles > Golf Country Clubs

On Binictican

If you are a golfer and you live in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, you are probably familiar with Binictican Heights. Conveniently situated in the eastern part of Subic Bay, this area boasts a magnificent view of the green surroundings and is home to one of the Freeport’s best tourist attractions, the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club.

The Subic Bay Golf and Country Club

For years, the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club served as the U.S. Navy golf course and the go-to place for military golfers in the country. Unfortunately, due to the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, the 18-hole course was buried under a mound of ash and was indefinitely closed to the public.

When new management took over in 2012, the area went through a massive makeover utilizing the designs made by renowned golf architect Desmund Muirhead. As a semi-private course, it was opened for visiting golfers under the condition that they are accompanied by at least one club member. And while there are other golf courses within an hour’s ride of the Freeport, the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club is the only one within it.

A Refuge for Golfers

Whether you’re an expat or a local, the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club offers an opportunity for you to hone your skills. Set amongst the rain-forested hills, the championship course is a great place to play in. With the small river winding throughout it and the rich foliage serving as its backdrop, this course will surely allow you to enjoy the game while taking in the sights, sounds, and scent of nature.

The Famous Desmund

Desmund Muirhead, who passed away in 2002, was the first architect to ever work with Jack Nicklaus, a retired American professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers in history.

Muirhead was part of the team who designed Nicklaus’ course that hosts the Memorial on the PGA Tour. The course was even named Muirfield Village to honour the architect. He was also known for his passion for writing about golf architecture and his re-envisioning of the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club.

The Mysterious “Breasts”

If you’re a regular visitor, odds are that you’ve already heard some horror stories regarding the golf course. Throughout the years, these tales have persisted, passing on from one local to another, and even to foreigners. One of the most popular stories is about the golf architect himself, Desmund Muirhead.

Unlike the classic Beatles song where a certain Desmond took a trolley to the jewellers’ store, the Desmund in this story purportedly took his girlfriend’s breast to the golf course.

Anybody who has stepped foot in the grounds of the Subic golf course knows this certain hole that was said to represent the breasts of Muirhead’s paramour. It was also believed that other parts of the woman’s body were represented throughout the course.

If you’re wondering what the “breasts” look like, go to par-5 to see it for yourself. Other golfers even took to calling it the “Mickey Mouse” course because of the its shape and most would be happy to point you in the right direction.

Sadly, its unusual form is hard to appreciate nowadays. Popular opinion is that the management has made a mess of the place. Despite this fact, golfers still consider it as a wonderful place to be in where they can have fun under the sun all the way to twilight.