Camp John Hay at Camp John Hay Golf Club

Camp John Hay occupies a distinctive place in Philippine golf history, situated in the mountain city of Baguio at approximately 5,000 feet above sea level. The course was originally established in 1905 as part of an American military recreation facility, making it one of the oldest golf courses in the Philippines. The property served as a rest and recreation center for U.S. military personnel stationed in the Pacific until the base was returned to Philippine control in the 1990s.

The Jack Nicklaus redesign transformed the historic layout into an 18-hole championship course that takes advantage of the mountainous terrain and cooler climate that distinguishes Baguio from the lowland regions of Luzon. The routing moves through pine forests and rolling elevation changes characteristic of the Cordillera highlands, presenting a contrast to the tropical courses found elsewhere in the country. The altitude affects both playing conditions and ball flight, requiring adjustments from golfers accustomed to sea-level courses.

The course maintains connections to its military heritage through various historical markers and structures on the property. Camp John Hay Golf Club serves both local members and visiting golfers who come to Baguio for its temperate weather and mountain scenery. The facility operates as part of the broader Camp John Hay development, which includes hotels and recreational amenities that have repurposed the former American military reservation into a civilian resort area.