Tradition meets change at Luisita
As work begins this September and stretches over the next year-plus, the course will temporarily step away from the spotlight. But when it returns, it is expected to reenter Philippine golf with a refreshed playing surface, a preserved architectural soul, and renewed expectations from players who know exactly how demanding — and memorable — Luisita can be.
STANDING between golfers and par, the 17th hole at Luisita Golf and Country Club is the course’s iconic signature par 3. Beautiful to look at yet daunting to play, it demands precision, confidence and nerves of steel with every tee shot.
Photographs by Joey Sanchez Mendoza for DAILY TRIBUNE
Luisita Golf and Country Club is set for a major transformation beginning this September, with a renovation program expected to last a little over a year — marking one of the most significant upgrades in recent memory for a venue deeply rooted in Philippine golf history.
Built in 1968 and designed by legendary course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., Luisita has long stood as one of the country’s classic championship layouts. Its design philosophy — defined by strategic angles, disciplined shot-making, and well-protected greens — has tested generations of amateurs and professionals while preserving the integrity of its original routing for more than five decades.
That identity is now entering a carefully managed transition.
According to club general manager Bones Floro, the upcoming renovation will focus on resurfacing the entire course using Zoysia grass. Importantly, the project will not alter the original Jones Sr. layout, ensuring that the strategic architecture remains intact even as playing surfaces are modernized.
CROSSING the iconic bridge on Luisita Golf and Country Club’s signature 17th hole is an experience every golfer remembers. More than just a pathway to the green, it marks the final steps before taking on one of the course’s most intimidating par 3s — a hole where beauty meets pressure and a single shot can make or break a round.
The shift beneath the surface, however, is significant.
Course superintendent Rey Patricio explained that Zoysia is already naturally suited to the site, making it a practical and sustainable upgrade. Compared to other warm-season grasses such as bermuda or paspalum, Zoysia offers stronger adaptability to local conditions. It requires less fertilizer, has better drought tolerance, greater resistance to wear from foot traffic, and reduced pest pressure — key advantages for a course that regularly hosts tournaments and steady daily play.
Patricio also noted that newer Zoysia varieties now offer playing conditions that can closely approach the quality of hybrid turf systems when properly maintained, particularly on greens. The expectation is that, with the right agronomic approach, the overall playing quality will improve in both consistency and resilience.
