Riviera (Langer) - Philippines

One of the most challenging courses in the Philippines. Definitely not for beginners. This course is long especially from the tips and have hazards abound. Greens are tricky but not impossible. Mind the grain! Conditions are not as good as Southwoods or Sta Elena, but green fees are more reasonable. Single digits will love the challenge while higher handicappers are better off playing the Couples course. Walkable although I wouldn't mind a buggy due to elevation changes and the distance of some tees to the next.

Riviera Golf Club has two valley courses set along the ridges where you can enjoy the scenery of the Philippine countryside. There are 36 holes, this more challenging Langer Course and the easier Couples Course designed by Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples respectively. The Langer Course has adequate length, over 7,000 yards par 71 with a lot of natural hazards such as ravines, cliffs, creeks and trees, strategically guarding each hole, so it is a very demanding layout. Even the single handicapper might hit over 90 easily. This course best suits advanced players while the beginners can still enjoy playing in the great outdoors where you never have any man-made structures in your sight at all except for the clubhouse, because it is surrounded by natural scenery. There are steep slopes on many holes, so you should know beforehand which side of the fairway to hit. The short and long combinations of par 3s, 4s and 5s are good. The course is located on a hillside and the winds further add to the difficulty. This course frequently hosts professional events including the 2000 and 2004 Philippine Open.

The par 5 604-yard 5th has a cliff on the left and the fairway slopes from right toward the cliff, so you should hit the tee shot to the right edge of the fairway. The shape of the green is unique because it is double-tiered sloping from the front to the back. When the pin is on the back tier, you can’t aim at the pin directly because the slope causes a really nice shot landing around the pin to roll off the green. This hole is excellent unless the pin position is on the back tier. The par 3 175-yard 8th is a challenging par 3 with a ravine facing the front and left sides of the green. A right to left player needs to be careful because with too much draw the ball could end up in big trouble. There are many par 3s with hazards facing some sides of the greens. Most of the hazards are man-made lakes, but the holes make full use of natural elements, so it is very charming. The par 4 367-yard 11th is a short par 4. You need a carry of 200 yards to clear the bunkers on the right half of the fairway. The green is well below the fairway. The green is wide and double-tiered to the back, and its front side borders a river. When the pin is on the front tier, only 10 yards wide, the approach shot is difficult. If you hit short, it will be in the bottom of the river. If you hit long, it will be on the back tier where you will face a risk of 3 putts because of the downhill slope. Needless to say an accurate approach shot is a “must” on this hole. To read more about the Langer Course at Riviera Golf Club, click here to visit my website.