Apo Golf and Country Club ☆ Follow

Apo Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course located in Davao City, Philippines, set against the backdrop of Mount Apo, the country's highest peak. The course was carved out of a former coconut plantation on land donated by Carlos V. Inigo Sr. and officially incorporated on January 5, 1962. The initial nine holes were inaugurated in April 1965, with the second nine completed in June 1968. The design was planned by engineering contractor H.R. Lopez, Antonio Hernandez, and Ricardo Gulanes, with oversight from professional golfer Mateo Sanchez Sr., while the clubhouse was designed by Arch. Orlando Quimpo and built by Arch. Ramon Solitaria. The layout is characterized by tree-lined fairways, expansive greens, and numerous water hazards, including monstrous lakes and sparkling white sand traps. The course is widely recognized for its signature 11th hole, a short par-3 that requires a carry over water into a tight green guarded by bunkers on all sides. The terrain presents a challenge with narrow fairways and undulating greens, demanding precision from players navigating the scenic complex. Apo Golf and Country Club holds a significant place in Philippine golf history as the oldest golf club in Davao City and the first golf club outside of Luzon to host the Philippine Open. The tournament was held at the club on February 23, 1995, marking only the second time in the event's 80-year history that it was staged outside of Luzon. Mexican golfer Carlos Espinosa won the tournament with a score of 282 (-6 under par), a result cited as a testament to the championship caliber of the layout. The club has also produced legendary Filipino golfers, including Antonio Lacuña, Felix "Cassius" Casas, Elmer Salvador, Bong Lopez, Ferdie Aunzo, and Jhonnel Ababa.