In the Philippines' push towards golf tourism, no golf club is more ready than Mimosa Plus in the Clark New City, Angeles City, Pampanga. The overall quality of the end product is as high as any golf course in the country today.
The club has undergone a massive renovation; no stone was left unturned. The golf course underwent minor surgery to fix everything - irrigation and drainage, bunkering, greens, services, facilities... everything has been upgraded.
It's still the same architecture, but all the touch points, the entire experience, has been elevated to the level of a good hotel. The lockers and dining facilities are as good or better than any golf club you care to name. They managed to achieve this without compromising the general ambiance and feel of the original American military origins.
For those making the trip primarily for the quality of the golf course, the Mountain View has a surprise for you. I'll be frank and say the opening three holes are fair and do their bit to ease you into the round and the plain vanilla opening corner sets you up perfectly.
The course begins to really open up on 6, a gorgeous little par three framed by the mountain from which the course takes its name. But it truly comes into its own on the inward nine. Holes 12 through 18 define the Mountain View; they are the soul of the golf course.
This is a championship golf course. The par fours in the closing two thirds of the course are the teeth of the course. But you won't mind how difficult this part of the golf course becomes because it's also the most beautiful. Frankly before driving off 16, one must resist the temptation to drive back down to the 12th tee to play them again.
The closing hole is the perfect end to this fabulous round of golf; a tough, uphill par five framed by the largest acacia trees on the property. Stunning.
As much of a test as the Mountain View presents to the golfer, the Acacia Lakeview is its antithesis.
This is a fun track. The holes are short but have the look and feel of its bigger, meaner brother. They're more welcoming and accessible. This course is a good time and an appropriate counterpoint to your experience on the Mountain View.
The golf courses here are open to the public but require prior arrangement to play. For more information, please call +63 45 599 8000 / +63 918 908 7035.
