Another Trent Jones pride in RP

Legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. is an ardent lover of golf and of nature.

His designs reflect this core belief that preserving the natural beauty of the site contributes to the pleasure of the golfing experience. With a distinguished career that spans three decades, six continents and 39 countries, his name has been synonymous with the ultimate in golf design.

Little wonder that his 18-hole golf course takes pride of place in Ayala Land and Greenfield Development Corp.'s latest residential project, Ayala Greenfield Estates, a 500-hectare community neighboring Mt. Makiling with a breathtaking view of Laguna, Tagaytay and Batangas, and set amidst tree groves and man-made gardens. To be developed as an all-weather golf course, it will be open for play everyday no matter the climatic season.

"Golf is part of the active lifestyle that Ayala Greenfield stands for and we chose Robert Trent Jones, Jr. because he represents the same kind of quality, level of expertise, and strong environmental commitment that Ayala Land has always been known for," explains Jun Bisnar, Ayala Land, Inc.’s assistant vice-president for land community and development group.

Indeed, Robert Trent Jones Jr. has been called the "father of environmental golf course design" for creating golf courses that harmonize with their surroundings. In Hawaii, for instance, he has designed golf courses that not only enhance the land’s beauty, but also serves as sanctuaries for endangered birds.

In his past designs Jones has worked on the "restoration of sand dunes and reestablishment of native plants at Spanish Bay, preservation of Mayan temples at Cancun, and of course, protection of ancient burial sites and temples in Hawaii." It is this concern for nature and cultural legacies that he will incorporate into the Ayala Greenfield golf course development.

"The boundaries that we had to work with are non-traditional," explains Mike Kahler, Trent Jones II’s director for Asian operations, "Instead of leveling sections of the hill to provide the necessary room to lay out the course, we decided to design the course around it." In the end, Kahler said the hill will prove to be a design advantage by shielding the course from the high winds and providing a dramatic backdrop for both sightlines and shadow lines.

"In routing the golf course, no two consecutive holes play in the same direction or in quite the same manner, thus providing maximum variety in strategy incorporating sun angles and wind direction with course contours reflecting the horizon lines surrounding the site, further connecting the course to the local environment," Kahler continues.

It was also during the 1970s that the younger Trent Jones parted from his father professionally. He wanted to design courses that were more flexible and called for thoughtful, accurate shot making skills to test the very best golf professionals while at the same time making the course enjoyable for the average golfer. Mr. Jones "always believed that while our courses should be challenging enough for professional players, it should also be accessible to average players."

Robert Trent Jones II courses have always been known for both their visual and cerebral qualities, challenging both your physical and intellectual skills as a golfer. To master his newest creation at Ayala Greenfield Estates will require confident shot making, as well as, if not of even greater importance, concise decision making.

The Jones name continues to be unrivaled among golf course architects from the Americas to Europe to Asia. Some of the company’s "ground breaking projects include Moscow Country Club, the first 18-hole golf course in Russia; Spring City, in Yunnan Province, the preeminent resort course in China; and Miklagard, the first world-class golf course in Scandinavia."

Ayala Greenfield Estates lot owners will have a share in the Trent Jones-designed golf course. With an activation fee, one can enjoy the all-weather fairways of the championship golf course. While you hit the greens, your family can relax at the Golf & Leisure Club, which includes a spa and wellness center, a badminton court, a bowling alley, and food and beverage facilities. The golf-residential subdivision also features a Locsin-designed village clubhouse that beautifully echoes the mountain form, and other recreational amenities that look out over the awe-inspiring Mt. Makiling and Laguna de Bay.

Meanwhile, Ayala Greenfield Estates property owners and prospective clients are eagerly anticipating the construction of the 6,500-yard, full-length golf course. Kahler reveals that design of the course is well underway "We have even identified our signature hole, which shall have dramatic shaping that reflects its backdrop of chiseled rock and affords spectacular sunset view."