BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Camp John Hay Golf Club has officially reopened under new interim management, marking a fresh chapter for the historic course.
A ceremonial tee-off on Thursday morning, January 9, symbolized the beginning of operations led by Golfplus Management Incorporated (GMI), Turfgrass Management Incorporated (TMI), and DuckWorld PH, with Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) vice president Mark Torres serving as interim general manager.
The management transition follows the Supreme Court’s October 2024 decision, which allowed the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to recover the 247-hectare Camp John Hay property from CJH Development Corporation (CJHDevCo).
Updated terms for golfers
The new management team has introduced updated terms and policies aimed at maintaining the course’s exclusivity while accommodating a broader range of players:
• Playing Rights for Loyal Patrons:
• Monthly payments of P5,000 (inclusive of P500 food and beverage credit) provide playing rights with no green fees for six months.
• Spouses and dependents (up to 18 years old) of loyal patrons receive a 50% discount on green fees.
• Patrons can opt for a one-time entry fee of P40,000 for the six-month interim period. The fee may be waived for eligible patrons based on their prior active patronage.
Green fees for the general public:
- Weekdays: P3,000
- Weekends: P4,000
- Additional Fees: Cart fee (P1,000), Insurance (P80), Caddie fee for 18 holes (P600), Caddie fee for 9 holes (P400)
- Junior Discounts: Players aged 17 and below receive a 50% discount on green fees
- Rain Check Policy: Rain checks will be issued for games cut short at 9 holes or fewer, redeemable for cart fees
Reservations and inquiries can be directed to DuckWorld PH at quack@duckworld.ph or (+63) 920 914 8792.
Interim GM Torres emphasized the team’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition. “The CJH Golf Club has been a favorite in the golf community, and we’re committed to ensuring players continue to enjoy premium services during this interim period,” he said.
Eduardo “Bong” Arguelles, GMI president, detailed the plans for the club, including essential infrastructure updates. “We will not stop until we give you the best. While maintaining the aesthetics of the course, we’ll focus on critical improvements like irrigation and drainage systems to guarantee its long-term success,” he said.
Arguelles acknowledged the work of former GM Jude Eustaquio, adding “We’ll continue what’s working and improve what’s not visible but essential.”
The ceremonial tee-off marked the reopening of the course after a two-day closure for inventory conducted by the Office of the Baguio Sheriff. The interim management period is expected to last up to a year while BCDA identifies long-term private partners for the property.
JHMC president and CEO Marlo Ignacio Quadra highlighted the focus on continuity, saying, “The new management will ensure services continue while prioritizing the welfare of workers and caddies. Our goal is to uphold the prestige of the golf estate and maintain its quality of service.”
Under the interim management’s guidelines, the club remains committed to delivering exceptional service to members and new patrons alike:
• Tee times are available from 6 am to 3 pm, with a 10-minute interval between flights. Walk-ins are allowed, subject to availability.
• Flights are capped at four golfers, with solo and twosome flights restricted during peak hours (7 am to 10 am).
• Locker facilities are available for storing bags and valuables, with secure bag tags issued upon check-in.
As GMI, TMI, and DuckWorld PH take the helm, they aim to blend tradition with modernization, keeping the club a top destination for golf enthusiasts.
Arguelles concluded: “Our priority is the players and their experience. We’re here to ensure that Camp John Hay Golf Club remains a premier golfing destination while building on its legacy.”
The participants in the ceremonial tee-off were:
- Mark Torres, vice president, BCDA, and interim general manager
- Eduardo “Bong” Arguelles, president, GMI and TMI
- Marlo Ignacio Quadra, president and CEO, John Hay Management Corporation
- Jason Leonardo, representing DuckWorld PH
- Pocholo Ponce de Leon, representative of the BCDA Board of Directors
– Rappler.com
