Iloilo’s century-old golf course tees up a tourism push

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo is looking to turn its century-old golfing heritage into a tourism attraction as the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas (DOT-6) promotes the historic Iloilo Golf and Country Club (IGCC) alongside the 24th Bamboo Tee Golf Tournament in November.

The four-day tournament, set for Nov. 12 to 15 at the golf club in Santa Barbara, is expected to draw 300 to 350 golfers from across the country, providing an opportunity to introduce visitors to the province’s history, culture, and culinary offerings.

Established in 1907, the 18-hole IGCC is recognized as one of the oldest golf clubs in Southeast Asia.

The course was built by Scottish and British engineers who were working on the Philippine railway system at the time.

Its long history offers a potential tourism draw beyond the sport itself, linking golf with heritage appreciation and destination experiences.

DOT-6 Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez said during a press briefing on Thursday, Oct. 29, that the tournament could help establish the province as a golf tourism destination.

“We see this as a starting point. We want to build on the province’s golfing heritage and develop it into a tourism product that will attract more visitors to Iloilo and other destinations in Western Visayas,” Rodriguez said.

The regional tourism office is coordinating with the golf club, local government units, tourism establishments, and other stakeholders to maximize the event’s promotional potential.

Proposed initiatives include documenting the club’s golfing heritage, producing promotional materials, developing destination marketing content, and organizing tourism activities that encourage participants to explore attractions outside the golf course.

Through its Experience Western Visayas campaign, DOT-6 aims to connect established sporting events with local destinations and experiences, potentially encouraging visitors to extend their stays and spend at hotels, restaurants, transport services, and other tourism businesses.

The tournament is also expected to contribute to efforts to preserve the club’s history.

Proceeds are intended to provide initial funding for the restoration of the Iloilo Golf Club Museum and to support club members competing in national golf tournaments.

The heritage component comes ahead of two milestones in 2027: the 25th anniversary of the Bamboo Tee Golf Tournament and the 120th anniversary of the IGCC.

Tourism receipts from the tournament are projected at PHP 8.92 million, based on a target of 350 domestic visitors, an average length of stay of 2.77 days, and average daily expenditure of PHP 9,200 per visitor.

The estimate remains subject to actual attendance and visitor spending.

By linking its golfing tradition with cultural heritage and other local attractions, the province hopes to broaden its tourism offerings and draw visitors seeking experiences beyond sightseeing.