The Price Tags of The Philippines' Most Exclusive Clubs

Manila Golf and Country Club

Considered to be one of the most exclusive and prestigious golf clubs in the country, Manila Golf’s history traces back to 1901. It offers outstanding greens and state-of-the-art club and facilities, hosting top class golf tournaments and Manila’s cream of the crop.

Price of admission: While there are no sellers as of present, Manila Golf rates are at P45 million for a corporate share and around P42 million to P43 million for an individual share.

What you get: Members can use the driving range, practice putting greens, practice range, and tee houses, and hold tournaments. They also have access to all the clubhouse amenities, restaurants, bar, and function rooms, among others.

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Manila Polo Club

Why Manila Polo Club is top of mind in the arena of country clubs is a matter of history. It was built in the 1900s, following Filipinos’ newfound penchant for polo under the influence of Governor General Forbes. Today, it is a highly exclusive club for both polo and downtime of the country’s elite.

IMAGE Manila Polo Club

Price of admission: Share price of P12.5 to 13.3 million; P2,232,000 upon application (transfer fee of P560,000, capital contribution of P500,000, and application fee of P112,000, )

What you get: Aside from polo, members have areas for archery, golf, tennis, squash, badminton, and other exercise classes. It also has dining outlets for casual visits. Highlights include casual Italian restaurant The Last Chukker; Nanten, which offers simple Japanese; Willow Root and Cogon Village for cocktails; and a bakery that showcases some of Manila's best home bakers. All of these facilities and restaurants are in a private environment where to be seen is not important—what matters is the feeling of being in a comfortable extension of home.

McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City

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Wack Wack Golf & Country Club (WWGCC)

Wack Wack is known mainly for its 18-hole professional golf course. It was founded by William James Shaw as a more inclusive alternative to Manila Golf Club. Today, it holds members-only tournaments, complete with official corporate sponsors, in commemoration of Shaw.

Price of admission: Club share of P18 to 20 million; P344,960 upon application (entrance fee of P168,000, transfer fee of P168,000 and an advance of monthly dues amounting to P8,960)

What you get: WWGCC has an al fresco restaurant overlooking the well-manicured greenery, a fitness center, and a large pool for laps. It is a vast strip of land with a nature trail for jogging and walking. It also has a driving range for those who want to practice their swing without having to navigate the whole area.
 
Old Wack Wack Road, Mandaluyong City

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The Rockwell Club

The Rockwell Club is central to the imposing Rockwell residential buildings in Makati. For over a decade, the Rockwell Club has served as the go-to spot for residences within the area and beyond.

IMAGE The Rockwell Club

Price of admission: P450,000 for a lifetime membership; P95,000 for a year. Monthly dues are at P2,750. Rockwell unit owners need to pay the fee of P3,080 per month for gym usage.

What you get: Rockwell Club members are granted access to the club’s many sports facilities and may use various spaces. Membership types fall under individual, corporate, resident, and founding members. Residents are automatically members but non-residents can purchase a yearly or lifetime membership as well.

The Rockwell Club, Amorsolo Square, 23 Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City, 897.8310.

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Club Punta Fuego

Situated on prime land on Peninsula de Punta Fuego along the vast coast of Nasugbu, Batangas, Club Punta Fuego is a first-class facility just two-and-half hours away from the metro. The interiors are inspired by Fisher Island in Miami, Florida and the club is one part of a leisure community, which includes the neighboring Terrazas de Punta Fuego and the Punta Fuego Yacht Club.

IMAGE Club Punta Fuego

Price of admission: P600,000 for a club share

What you get: Members receive regular discounts for the resort spa services, accommodations, and dining. This includes access to its golf course and yacht club. Members may bring up to 20 guests on weekdays and 10 guests on weekends.

Club Punta Fuego, Brgy. Balaytigue, Nasugbu, Batangas, 843.8700.

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Sta. Elena Golf & Country Estate

What began in the early 1990s as an intimate community has evolved into a successful development of luxurious villas and a popular destination for golfers. The Sta. Elena golf course has been recognized by the prestigious Golf Digest as one in the top 100 courses outside the United States.

IMAGE Sta. Elena

Price of admission: One-time payment of P91,000 (inclusive of P15,000 processing fee, P20,000 security deposit, and P56,000 playing rights fee) for a one-year term membership; P220,000 (inclusive of P200,000 for two-year lease and P20,000 refundable security deposit) for a two-year term membership. Monthly dues are at P7,168.

What you get: The amenities at Sta. Elena include the driving range, pitching and putting green, as well as tee houses. Guest houses include an infinity pool. Aside from the golf club, there’s the Banahaw Clubhouse and Club 22, with a multi-awarded kitchen of chef Joseph Goh.

Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estates, Barrio Malilit, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, 886.8686.

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Alabang Country Club

This premier country club within the Ayala Alabang Village prizes itself for its family-friendly atmosphere, apart from offering optimal value for its shareholders. Around since 1981, the country club has now increased to 2,301 members.

IMAGE ACCI

Price of admission: P4.2 million for Class A membership and P4.5 million for Class B membership

Membership perks: The club houses an 18-hole golf course, bowling alley, dance studio, and badminton and tennis courses. Merely a select few may purchase a share from Alabang Country Club, as it prides itself on exclusivity. Share value is said to increase because of their newly renovated golf course.

Alabang Country Club, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City, 842.3539.

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The Palms Country Club

The Palms Country Club stands on a three-hectare lot developed by Filinvest. Although the place can theoretically accommodate a lot of people, privacy is key here. Much information is restricted to users who have their own username and password to website content.

IMAGE The Palms Country Club

Price of admission: Share price of around P1,265,000 to 1,400,000; and annual fees of P56,846.

What you get: The Palms has 10 separate areas for sports activities, six dining options, and a couple of spas. Membership to The Palms also includes reciprocal use of amenities at The Raffles Town Club in Singapore. 

1410 Laguna Heights Drive, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa

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Golf and Country Club at Tagaytay Highlands

Tagaytay Highlands has cool weather on its side. Some people come here to meet business associates in a relaxing environment, while others enjoy recreational activities with the family.

IMAGE Tagaytay Highlands

Price of admission: Lifetime membership fee of around P200,000 to P250,000; with a transfer fee of P120,000. Club share is about P120,000 to 530,000.

What you get: Among its amenities are a bridle path, an ATV trail, a 14-lane bowling center, a fishing pier, and squash courts which members’ dependents and guests can also enjoy. It is also a choice destination for golf. It has an 18-hole course, a professional gear shop, and a cable car system that transports members to the next golf challenge.

Barangay Calabuso, Tagaytay City

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Baguio Country Club

Baguio Country Club has been around for 112 years and is one of the landmark buildings in the area. The green, tiered exterior makes for an iconic look that blends well with the surrounding garden and golf area.

IMAGE Baguio Country Club

Price of admission: Club share of about P1.6 to 1.7 million and entrance fee of about P150,000.

What you get: Out-of-town leisure is the one of the best features of a Baguio Country Club membership. It has a total of 80 reciprocal clubs around the world. Members can enjoy the facilities of clubs in Scotland, Australia, France, South Africa, and 20 other countries.

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Manila House

This by-invitation membership club at Bonifacio Global City is the latest exclusive social club to be opened in Manila, which occupies over 2,300 square meters of space. It boasts of interiors designed by Belgian architect and interior designer Gert Voorjans.

IMAGE Jaclyn Koppe

Price of admission: The club has been selling 600 initial memberships at P150,000 (P224,000 with tax) per person (spouses cannot share a membership), which is non-transferable for five years. This is the most expensive membership level. The most affordable is priced at P50,000 for those aged 21 to 30. Members at this level, however, get no propriety rights. There’s a P2,500 maintenance fee per month, which is non-consumable.

What you get: Members get access to its two restaurants, an all-day dining and a Japanese restaurant, and soon to its upcoming grill room and a modern Filipino restaurant. Members may also use the outdoor cocktail deck and bar lounge and may rent its ballroom. Members also get exclusive invites to the club's various activities on art, culture, business, and food, among others.

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Balesin Island Club

Developed by Alphaland Corporation, this 500-hectare island in Quezon Province is a private beach getaway featuring themed villages recreated to look like luxury destinations such as Phuket, Mykonos, St. Tropez, Costa del Sol, and Toscana, among others. It is only 20 minutes away by plane from Manila.

IMAGE Jason Mariposa

 

Price of admission: Membership schemes range from P2.2 to P4 million. Roundtrip airfare from Manila to the island is priced at P7,000 per person.

What you get: Members get 14 free villa nights per year. They are entitled to use all its facilities, from water sports, tennis, basketball, badminton, equestrian to restaurants and spas. It has its own yacht with its own staff and a chef. Since the island is vast, it offers utmost privacy even when fully booked. It also offers free classes like yoga and other special activities during holidays.

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Anvaya Cove

This 320-hectare property developed by Ayala Land Premier is a great escape in Bataan especially for families, featuring various residential communities, a 3.5-kilometer coastline, an award-winning golf course, and other leisure facilities.

IMAGE Anvaya Cove

Price of admission: Anvaya now requires clients to purchase property in the Anvaya Cove community (whether a condo unit, a lot, or a house) to acquire golf or beach and nature club memberships. Membership fee for Anvaya Golf Club is P1,550,000, and monthly dues are at P6,200.

What you get: Inclusions of membership include usage rights to the Anvaya Golf and Sports Club and Beach and Nature Club and their restaurants, swimming pools, gym, basketball courts, function rooms, and spa; and the Nature Camp’s ziplines, and wall climbing, rope course, and obstacle course facilities.

Barangay Mabayo, Morong, Bataan; 0917.510.4653

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The Tower Club

This premier business club in the heart of Makati was established in 2001 “as the sole executive business club in the Philippines,” providing exclusive spaces for meetings and social gatherings for businessmen and business groups. 

IMAGE towerclub.com.ph

Price of admission: Depending on membership class, rates range from P150,000 to P250,000. Monthly dues are at about P7,000; P2,750 of which is consumable. 

What you get: Members get access to its private dining rooms, restaurants, and bar, as well as to its fitness center and spa. They also get exclusive invitations to the club’s regular activities and events. Membership to the Tower Club also grants access to restaurants and other facilities of over 250 other clubs across the globe.

This story originally appeared on Townandcountry.ph.

* Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.