Sun Valley was conceived with the philosophy that access to great golf need not be exclusive. The Philippines has long been known among international business and golfing circles as one of the best places in Asia to golf at a reasonable price. Golf has become one of the favorite past time and was even added as an Olympic sport.
Antipolo provides some distinct advantages as a golf venue. Its proximity to Metro Manila provides easy access to the various parts of the metropolis. The “natural assets” of the area also make it a perfect place for someone looking to spend their day communing with Mother Nature.
The Antipolo hills, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Madres, provide a spectacular panorama, straight out of the box. The dramatic contours, natural water features, and scenic woodlands of the locale make the area even more attractive.
The potential of the site that brings forth an exceptional golf course was immediately apparent to the design team. John Hamilton, an executive of Palmer Course Design Company (PCDC) in the Asia Pacific, describes the initial impression as being positive all around. Hamilton notes, ” The first time we saw the land, it really got our attention. It’s really got all the gifts: excellent topography, mature trees, terrific natural waterfalls, flowing spring-fed streams, and great views.”
So the question for the design team was, how do you tie all this beauty together into a challenging but playable golf course without spoiling the walk? For the Palmer designers, finding the answer involved a lengthy site analysis to determine the best hole locations and lots of design flexibility to preserve the natural beauty of the site. These plans were augmented by a great working relationship between the designer, owner, and the builder so that every hole could be analyzed and refined to make them as near as perfect and elegant as possible.
Although the physical terrain features of the course keep it challenging, they also present stunning vistas and offer vibrant natural scenes that make your score an afterthought. The dramatic elevation changes serve up views of the spectacular natural landscape unfolding all the way to the horizon. Turning a corner on the twisting course leads to scenes that are postcard picture perfect.
Work is continuous on the course to further refine the workmanship. Given all the accolades, compliments, and flashy descriptions that have applied to the course, Sun Valley continues to be an absolutely splendid surprise. A field of emeralds and jade wrapped in amber sprinkled with crimson. The most artful prose fails in describing how magical seeing dawn breaking over the green hills of the course. It’s best to put it simply – it’s the start of another perfect day at Sun Valley.