Camp John Hay is in for an spirited search as, at least, six groups are reportedly eyeing to operate and maintain its golf course in the coming years.
According to reliable sources, among those who have signified or have plans are two prominent ultra billionaire families with diverse businesses in retail and real estate; and an organization dedicated to elevating the sport further and has gained prominence by supporting golf over the last three years.
Add to these are a couple of foreign entities with impressive backgrounds all aiming to take the par-69 layout redesigned by the Golden Bear of Jack Nicklaus.
But the most intriguing, some of the sources mentioned, is the circle of early Philippine golf tourism advocates and Baguio Filipino Chinese businessmen, who have close ties with the local government and would want to make a serious bid because they feel that the running of the golf club must be done by locals.
In fact, the sources add, the Baguio community really wants an aggressive at approach in its stance and seize control, citing No. 16 of the Camp John Hay’s 19 conditionalities, which states the transfer of land and facility ownership once the land lease expires. This means that ownership of land and buildings must transfer from BCDA to the Baguio City Government.
This is especially good for the golf club because it is well known in the industry that the daily number of playing patrons have not met the projections after the takeover of BCDA of CJH.
Currently, Golf Plus Management Inc. and Duckworld Philippines under the BCDA and JHMC are running the show on an extended management agreement.
