GOLF IN CEBU, PHILIPPINES

Welcome to Cebu which is an island, a province and a city in the central Philippine region of Visayas. We came here to golf and jalan, jalan and cari makan. This is the clubhouse of the Mactan Island Golf Club where we had our first encounter of golf in Cebu. You can catch my write-up of this entitled "Golfing in Cebu" in the Sep 07 edition of Food & Travel - Kitchen Culture published by Key Editions Pte Ltd.

Welcome to Mactan. The relatively-flat course is owned by the Air Force and maintenance was to be desired, esp the fairways. Although introduced by a friend, we paid about 2k peso each here to play as senior golfers. The course is located in Mactan, which is an adjoining island, and it is also where the airport is. A par-72, it is 6163 yds long from gold tees. From blue, it is 5823 yds, and course and slope-rated 67.8 and 118 resp.

Joe lining up his putt out of a bunker. Well, he got it within putter length for a give-me.

An assortment of 19th Hole fare, with, of course, plenty of San Miguel beer. One of the Filipino favourites, lechon kawali aka roast pork, is being served (centre of pic). A San Miguel stubby goes for 30 peso.

The Alta Vista Golf and Country Club is about 40 mins away from Cebu City. This is its clubhouse. It costs around S$17k to join now. The course, a mountainous par-72, is 5864 yds long from blue tees and 5348 from white. Slope and course ratings for blue tees are 124 and 68.4 resp, while for white, they are 118 and 65.8 resp.

All smiles before teeing up at the Alta Vista 1st Hole. Danny, our host here, is second from left. He invited Garcia, fourth left, and Rudy, extreme right, to join us.

Caddies waiting for work at Alta Vista.

Alta Vista towards the bay.

View from clubhouse towards the plain and sea below.

The happy golfers waiting to tee up at Club Filipino de Cebu in the Danao district. This course used to be in the city but the land on which it sat was sold by the provincial govt to the Ayala family. Course is a mountainous par-71 and the length is 5712 yds, from white tees , and 6128, from blue. White course and slope ratings are 68.5 and 130 resp, while for blue they are 70.5 and 135 resp.

At the first hole waiting to tee up. From white tees, this hole is 306 yds uphill. From blue, another 21 yds more but it is not easy bec of the uphill lie and the row of trees on the right.

The blind 3rd Hole, Index 13, 306 yds long. Joe and Ivan are discussing with their caddies where to hit the drive. The ideal aiming mark is the highest point of the distant mountain's left peak. Interesting hole, only if you don't goof yr drive!

One of the carts we were using came to grief in a little ravine between the 6th and 7th Holes after it strayed off the fairway and became a cabriolet. Our game here also ended. Good fortune tho - no one got injured.

My friends having breakfast at the Marriott before heading out for golf.

Fruits, delicious and juicy, are readily and cheaply available in Cebu. I chose for my breakfast starters at the Marriot fresh fruits, yogurt and the 4-season fruit juice. The little brown cup contains native chocolate, which is produced locally. Native chocolate goes extremely well with glutinous rice too!

Nice ikebana.....at the Cafe Laguna.......

Grilled tuna stomach served at Cafe Laguna, located near the Ayala Centre. As seafood is readily available in Cebu, a dish like this is relatively inexpensive.

Lechon kawali served at Cafe Laguna. This dish is very popular with the Filipinos. So is crispy pata which is roasted leg of a pig, something akin to German pork knuckle. Lechon means to roast and roasted food is much liked by the Filipinos eg also lechon manok (chicken).

Fried pig intestines served at the Cafe Laguna.

Mixture of lechon kawali, char siew, century eggs and seaweeds served at the Ching Palace, one of the better Chinese restaurants in Cebu City. Seafood is good here too.