Makiling at Sta. Elena Golf

Sta. Elena Golf Club's Makiling course sits in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, roughly an hour south of Manila, with Mount Makiling forming a dramatic backdrop to the east. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and Robert Trent Jones Jr., representing a collaboration between father and son that brought the Jones family's signature strategic design philosophy to the Philippines. The layout occupies gently rolling terrain that transitions between open expanses and areas framed by mature trees, with water hazards factoring into play on multiple holes.

The design reflects the Jones approach of offering multiple tee positions to accommodate different skill levels while presenting clear strategic choices from the fairway. Bunkers are positioned to influence decision-making rather than simply penalize, and greens feature the subtle contouring typical of Robert Trent Jones designs, rewarding accurate approach shots. The course has served as a venue for professional tournaments in the Philippines, contributing to its reputation within the country's golf community.

Sta. Elena Golf Club operates as a membership club but also welcomes outside play, making Makiling accessible to visiting golfers exploring the Laguna region. The club sits within a broader residential and resort development, and the course benefits from the area's tropical climate, which keeps conditions green year-round. For golfers traveling in the Manila area, Makiling offers a chance to experience a Jones-designed layout in a setting that blends the family's architectural principles with the natural character of the Philippine landscape.