South Korean firm to develop all-weather golf course and resort in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Aug. 22 (PNA) -- Hanafil Golf & Tour, Inc., a South Korean firm recently awarded the development of the golf course in Binictan inside this premier Freeport zone, is in the process of pre-planning and redesigning the entire course into an all-weather golf course.

During a press conference Tuesday evening, Hanafil President John Defensor said the company has committed a total of US$ 48 million for the development of a full-blown country club all-weather golf course at the 105-hectare property formerly operated by the Taiwanese-owned UIG International Development Corp.

Defensor said the company will build Subic Bay’s premier golf club according to standards set by the US Professional Golfers Association.

“We are building another nine-hole and we are rehabilitating the 18-hole including the driving range. We will also construct a 100-unit hotel as well as 80 villas," Defensor said.

The whole development will be completed in six years, he added.

SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza said Hanafil is a big tour operator in Korea and expected to bring in Korean players in the golf course and tourists.

“The advantage of the golf course here is that it is centrally located. Hanafil’s commitment is to build not only a golf course but an integrated resort," Arreza said. "They will not only build a hotel but they are trying to get a casino here.”

Currently, the golf course is in full operations with 70 employees including the workforce of their sub-contractor NetForce that maintains the golf course, and the Aetas that collect the balls inside the golf course. They also absorbed the maintenance people of UIG.

Defensor said the company is currently not accepting new members.

“We are not accepting any new membership but as for our contract with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), we have to honor the current members which we are doing,” Defensor said.

“We want to present first a world-class all weather golf course before we sell shares,” he added.

Raul Marcelo, Deputy Administrator for Business Group said, Hanafil respects the terms of reference they signed with SBMA with regards to the members of the Subic Bay Golf Course and Country Club formerly owned by the Taiwanese operators.