Fairview and Blue Water Resort Golf Country Club and Fantasy Elephant Club

There are places in the world that are paradise, Boracay is such a place. It is difficult to define, but it is in fact the optimal combination of those things a weary traveler dreams about: Sun, sand, relaxation, and entertainment, actually all the things you don't have at home, and that at a reasonable price.

It all started in the 1960s when modern day adventurers landed on this small Philippine island. Initially they were looking for rare shells, such as the puka. These shells were rather common on Boracay's northwest beaches. When the word got around slowly the number of adventurers increased, tourists followed them. By the 1980s the numbers swelled to hoards. Today Boracay is one of Asia's top destinations. From accommodation in small, simple romantic nipa huts, in the beginning, it grew into to whatever luxury the demanding visitor wants. The small nipa-huts are still no more than P 150 or 200 per night, but a top class resort for US$ 200 per night is also available.

The island is quite small, only 7.5 kms long and varying in width from I to 2.5 km. everything is within walking distance. It is amazing how many businesses have established themselves on this tiny island over the last few years. There are numerous resorts/lodging houses and cottages, restaurants catering to almost any taste you can imagine, bars in any style, bicycle rental shops, horseback riding, boat rentals, diving, snorkeling. The number of businesses is counted today in the hundreds. And it is still expanding. On Boracay life revolves around Sun, Sand, Relaxation and Watersport.

Golf.

A couple of years ago Fil-Estate, Primetown Property and Ayala Land, some of the Philippines' most prestigious land developers bought no less than 205 hectares, or actually 20% of Boracay's total land area, for the construction of a huge leisure project: Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club. A project for the happy few, no doubt. Core of the project is a 72 Par, 18-hole golf course designed by Graham Marsh, a famous Australian golfer. Around the golf course residential complexes and condominiums will arise. A swimming pool, restaurant and hotel, the Triton, are also already in place.

As far as the residential complexes and condominiums are concerned sales seem not to develop as planned. There are many buildings half-finished, with construction stopped. Actually only a few of the planned housing units are completed and in use. This situation gives the place, unfortunately, a kind of ghost-image. Apart from the Asian property crisis, which certainly plays a role, it appears that the developers might have used the wrong formula. The whole project is set up as a so-called time-share project. You cannot just buy a residential house or condo, you buy a share in the whole project and that gives you the right to stay there a couple of weeks per year.

The Proprietary Club Share Owner has the right to exchange his benefits and privileges with equivalent benefits and privileges in other parts of the world. There are two problems in this scheme. First, Boracay is a remote place, not easy to reach. Exchanging your benefits is, therefore, for a great deal impractical and costly. Secondly, how many local investors are really in the position to enjoy the benefits somewhere else in the world. The additional costs are already staggering. The whole idea of time-share is an American idea, but what works in the United States of America does not necessarily work in a developing country such as the Philippines. It would have been far easier to sell the units off to investors who plan to live on Boracay and like to play a daily round of golf.

Green fees are approximately US$ 60 per round, per person. This includes the mandatory golf cart hire and caddy. Club rental costs are approximately US$ 15 per round. All golf carts are equipped with a GPS satellite positioning system, which makes it possible to know your position on the course continuously with an accuracy of a few meters. This facility is included in the rental price

Fantasy Elephant Club

Located between the mountains and the sea this new golf course is hilly and rolling. It has artificial lagoons, which serve as artificial hazards and irrigation water supply. The large greens are done with Tifton grass with an average area of 600-800 square meters. The fairway is done with Bermuda grass, of moderate or standard size. Depending on the weather and because of its proximity to the sea the strong winds will make the course difficult to play.

Facilities

A golf clubhouse, driving range, 1 tennis court, practice putting greens, swimming pool and cemented golf cart pathways.

Availability

Private club, guest must be accompanied or sponsored by a member.

Green Fees

Location, Getting There and Accommodations

Nine (9) kms from the town proper of Buenavista on Marinduque Island. Address Barangay Lipata, Buenavista, Marinduque Island. Tel. Nos.: 525-4175/525-2726/523-6633. Fax No.: 521-2671.

From Manila Domestic Airport to Gasan Airport. It takes about 35 minutes by plane. From the airport 40 minutes via land transportation to the course. Fantasy Elephant Club Resort is the only place to stay.