Guide to Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club: Facilities, Nearby Bacolod Hotels, Attractions & Restaurants

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

There are over 100 golf courses in the Philippines, and those visiting for the first time might find the choices overwhelming. Some of these golf course can be found in the Visayas, which is home to some of the most visited destinations in the Philippines, including Boracay, Cebu, and Bohol.

If you’re planning a trip to the Visayas, you should consider Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club. The club is located in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, one of the must-visit Visayas tourist spots. This article will give you an overview of the property as well as nearby accommodations and attractions.

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The Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club is located in Bata Subdivision in Bacolod City and was established in August 1982. The entire property, which used to be a sugarcane field, covers 45 hectares and was once called Marapara Golf & Country Club, after the picturesque Marapara Peak. Visitors of the country club are treated to a stunning view of the peak, the highest point in Negros Occidental’s Mount Mandalagan. 

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

As it is one of the best golf courses in the Philippines, it has hosted many golf tournaments throughout the years, including the Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Tournament, the Sugar Tee Golf Tournament, and the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Negros Occidental Golf Classic.

Is membership required at Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club? Are walk-ins allowed?

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

Like most country clubs in the Philippines, Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club is a membership club, but it accepts walk-ins. After paying the required fees, walk-in guests can play golf at the 18-hole golf course, dine at the clubhouse restaurant, upgrade their gear at the pro golf shop, or rent the function rooms for events. 

For an even more convenient experience, you can book Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club golf packages with Guide to the Philippines, which already include accommodations, transfers, and the entrance fee for walk-ins.

How to Get to Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club?

The Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club is located in Bacolod City, the capital of the Negros Occidental province, making it easily accessible via flights, ferries, and land travel.

Photo by Philippine Airlines

By Flights

The Bacolod-Silay International Airport is around 15 kilometers away from Bacolod City, making it the best option for those traveling from other regions in the Philippines. There are several daily domestic Bacolod flights from various Philippine airports, including those coming from the Manila International Airport (also known as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport), Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Davao International Airport.

By Ferry

If you are coming from cities in nearby islands like Iloilo City in Panay, you can book sea transfers to Bacolod City. Iloilo to Bacolod trips are available several times a day. The travel time is usually around 90 minutes. You can also take a boat from Manila to Bacolod City, but these trips are less frequent and are usually scheduled only three times a week. This trip takes a lot longer, with the travel time ranging from 20 to 24 hours.

By Land

If you’re coming from anywhere in Negros Island, you can reach Bacolod City by land. If you’re already staying in the city, you can book Bacolod transfers from your accommodations to the golf and country club. Some Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club golf packages also come with transfers from your hotel.

When is the Best Time to Play at Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club? 

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

The golf course at the Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club is open year-round. However, the course is not an all-weather course, so it’s best to avoid the rainy season, which, in Bacolod City, usually falls from June to November, with July and August usually being the wettest months. 

If you want to catch the Sugar Tee Golf Tournament, it is usually scheduled in March, while Bacolod City’s famous festival, Masskara Festival, happens every October.

What to Expect at Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club 

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

The Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club is a par 70 18-hole golf course that plays 6,197 yards. It was designed by Luis Fernando “Golem” Silverio, a famous Negrense golfer who was the first Asian to play at The Masters and the first amateur player to win the Philippine Open. The design has been described as a “striker’s course,” requiring power and precision from players.

The first nine holes are found around the perimeter of the country club, while the last nine lead you inward, with the 18th hole featuring a view of the clubhouse. While beginners can hone their skills here, it is best to bring a lot of spare golf balls, as the course features plenty of water hazards. Inexperienced players also run the risk of hitting the ball out of bounds when playing the perimeter courses.

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

The 18-hole golf course also features narrow but winding fairways, bunker hazards around the greens, tall trees, and tricky greens that have deceptive slopes. The course can also be windy at times, posing another challenge to even the most seasoned players.

All in all, the course can prove to be a worthy challenge for competitive players, but it can also provide a fun experience for casual golfers.

Apart from the golf course itself and the pro golf shop, Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club also has a putting green and golf cart rentals.

Other Facilities and Amenities at Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

Apart from its golf facilities, Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club has other amenities that members and guests can take advantage of.

• The Clubhouse - The Clubhouse will greet golfers who manage to make it to the 18th hole of the golf course. It is home to a restaurant that serves local and international dishes. The Clubhouse is also equipped with WiFi.

• Swimming Pool - The pool is for the exclusive use of club members and their dependents, allowing them to cool off after a round of golf.

• Locker Rooms - The country club has separate men’s and women’s locker rooms where you can leave your belongings as you explore the country club and its facilities.

• Ballroom and function rooms - For events like weddings and corporate meetings, the ballroom and the function rooms can serve as venues.

Where to Stay: Hotels Nearby Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

Photo by Seda Capitol Central

Since Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club is in Bacolod City, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to where to stay. Here is a list of our recommended hotels in Bacolod:

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Seda Capitol Central

Photo by Seda Capitol Central

For a pampered stay in Bacolod City, you can’t go wrong with Seda Capitol Central. The hotel is just less than 5 kilometers from the country club, and your travel time by car can be as short as 15 minutes. 

You can book stay-and-play golf packages with Seda Capitol Central and Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club, which come with Deluxe Room accommodations and roundtrip transfers to and from the country club.
The hotel also has its own restaurant, a roof deck bar, a gym, an e-lounge, and a swimming pool.

Stonehill Suites

Photo by Stonehill Suites

Just 4.4 kilometers away from the golf and country club is Stonehill Suites, a luxury boutique hotel. All of its rooms have their own flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, a mini-bar, and an en suite bathroom. If you want to indulge, you can book a room with its own private balcony. 

Stonehill Suites is also home to a restaurant, a roof deck bar, and a gym and offers in-room spa services.

L’Fisher Hotel

Photo by L’Fisher Hotel

With L’Fisher Hotel being near the Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club (around 4.6 kilometers), you won’t have to worry about missing tee time. It’s also a good place to stay if you want to experience the Masskara Festival, as it is located along Lacson Street, where most of the festivities take place.

The hotel also boasts of its spa called The Cocoon, where you can indulge in massages and scrubs. Those who want to chill can head to the roof deck, which has a pool and a swim-up bar.

Attractions Nearby Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club 

Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club can be found near the bustling area of Bacolod City as well as neighboring Talisay City, making it easily accessible from attractions in both destinations. In fact, you may book stay-and-play golf deals that come with free Bacolod tours to some of the area’s most visited attractions.

The Ruins

Once the mansion of a sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, The Ruins is literally its remains. Don’t let the name fool you, though, as while the mansion burned during World War II, its beautiful architecture remains, and it’s not hard to picture how grandiose it was during its heyday.

While it is located in Talisay City, it is just 4.4 kilometers or about a 10-minute drive from the country club.

Negros Museum

One of the most popular Bacolod tourist spots, Negros Museum lets visitors learn about the history of Negros Island and how it has affected the history of the Philippines. Along with historical and cultural artifacts, you will also see vintage regional toys, as well as contemporary artwork here.

San Sebastian Cathedral

The San Sebastian Cathedral was built in 1882, which explains its Baroque architecture that was common during the Spanish colonial period. It was named after Saint Sebastian, and a life-size statue of the saint can be found at the main altar.

Pope John Paul II Tower

This seven-floor structure was built to commemorate the pope’s visit to Bacolod City in 1981. Inside, you will find tons of memorabilia from the visit, including the Papal Throne, the garments he wore, and commemorative coins. The top floor of the tower has a viewing deck where visitors can appreciate an unobstructed view of Bacolod City.

Balay Negrense

Also called the Victor Fernandez Gaston Ancestral House, Balay Negrense is a mansion that was built in 1897. In 1990, it was turned into a museum that features the lifestyle of locals during the early 1900s. It was declared a heritage house by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 1994. Like The Ruins, it is also located in nearby Talisay City.

Restaurants Nearby Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club 

Bacolod City is known for its gastronomic delights, and your trip here is incomplete without having inasal, cansi, and napoleones. You can try these dishes in some of the local restaurants in the city.

Manokan Country

Update: Please note that Manokan Country's original location was shut down on July 16, 2024. The eateries will be moving temporarily to SM City Bacolod's terminal hub.

Manokan Country is not exactly a restaurant, but it is the place to go to for the best inasal in Bacolod. It is made up of several stalls selling delicious roasted chicken marinated in calamansi, vinegar, pepper, and annatto.  

Order from one of the stalls and eat in the open-air dining area. Don’t be surprised if utensils aren’t provided, as people are expected to eat using their hands.

Sharyn’s Cansi House

Photo by Sharyn’s Cansi House

Cansi (or Kansi) is a mildly sour beef soup that is made with lemongrass, green jackfruit, chili peppers, and batwan, a fruit native to the islands of Negros and Panay. Among the best places to try Cansi is Sharyn’s Cansi House, which is located along Narra Avenue.

Merzci

Photo by Merzci

Apart from savory dishes, Bacolod is also known for its sweets, the most famous of which is napoleones, a flaky pastry with an indulgent sugar glaze. You can sample this and other sweet treats at Merzci Bakeshops, which you can find all over the city. While some branches are strictly stores that don’t have dining options, there are some that have chairs and tables where you can savor different types of napoleones while they’re hot and fresh.

Explore Bacolod City after playing a round of gold at Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club!

Photo by Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club

Bacolod City is home to historical and natural tourist attractions and delicious food, making it one of the best places to visit in the Philippines. But avid golfers will especially enjoy a visit to this city when they book a golf and stay package at Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club, where they will be treated to views of Marapara Peak as they play. 

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Check out our golf packages with Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club and secure your online trip booking with us for a hassle-free experience.