The Golf Course at Ponderosa Resort Puerto Galera
The golf course at Ponderosa Resort Puerto Galera is one of the most unique and scenic in the Philippines.
The nine-hole layout 400 meters up Mindoro's central mountain range is Puerto Galera's only course, and it is absolutely breathtaking.
Measuring only 1227 yards from the blues and 1107 from the whites, Ponderosa is an extremely hilly par-30 with three very short par-4s and six par-3s. It was built in the early 90's by golf enthusiast Antonio "Tony" Taylor, who passed away in 2011. His descendants continue to maintain the course and the hotel. It's an open-access golf course, you don't need to be a hotel guest to enjoy it.
Tony Taylor designed the course, and it is made on a very small parcel of extremely sloping mountainside land. There are postcard views of the mountains and sea everywhere you look.
Many of the holes are either markedly downhill or very uphill, with fairways that criss-cross one another and tee shots over a few greens. A lot of the greens are incredibly tiny, requiring a razor-sharp short game to score.
A few holes really stand out. Hole three is a downhill par-4 with a narrow landing area and a blind approach. The fourth hole is perhaps the country's shortest par-4, measuring just 157 yards, with a blind tee shot over a hill. Trust the caddie's aim point and fire away!
The par -3 Hole 7 is just 60 yards in length but the green is perched high up on a shelf, requiring a perfect wedge.
Hole 8 is a 135-yard par three to a sliver of a green on a steep slope. It's a terrifying tee shot indeed.
Ponderosa is a walking course, and a certain level of cardiovascular fitness will be needed, especially for the uphill holes. There is a golf cart, but when I played it had rained the night before, so the wet conditions meant we just walked. A nice morning workout.
Ponderosa is not the best course for high handicappers and beginners, because every hole demands accuracy off the tee, and uneven lies are the norm. Beginners who venture out to Ponderosa need to bring plenty of balls and a good sense of humor.
If you are a golfer who happens to be in Puerto Galera, Ponderosa is a must-play. It's a quirky, difficult, but absolutely gorgeous track that is worth sampling. The cool Tagaytay - like weather is also a bonus.
Once you are done at the golf course, you can keep on swinging at the clubhouse. They have a golf simulator.
The resort features ten beautifully-decorated rooms, most of which have a great view of the sea around Mindoro. They offer Stay and Play packages. Follow Ponderosa Resort Puerto Galera on Facebook.