Sta Elena
Sta Elena Golf and Country Club spreads 27 holes of Robert Trent Jones II design across the rolling countryside of Santa Rosa in Laguna, about an hour south of Manila. Three distinct nines, Makiling, Banahaw and Sierra Madre, each a par 36, combine into long, water laced par 72 routings on one of the most respected private clubs in the Philippines.
Photo: Sta. Elena Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Sta Elena is the work of Robert Trent Jones II, built in the early 1990s across rolling farmland in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Three nines, Makiling, Banahaw and Sierra Madre, each play to par 36 and pair into full par 72 combinations stretching past 7,000 yards, giving the club a genuine championship scale and the flexibility of 27 holes.
It has long been a favorite of Manila golfers for its conditioning, its water and its strategic Trent Jones II shaping. This is parkland golf with teeth, generous corridors that narrow into well defended greens, with lakes and bunkering placed to make the player choose a line. Private and well kept, it sits among the leading inland courses in the country and rewards the visitor who can arrange access.
Sta Elena at a glance
- Opened
- 1993 to 1994
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones II
- Type
- Parkland, 27 holes
- Par
- 72 per combination
- Yardage
- Up to about 7,240 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, layout and yardages verified June 2026 from Robert Trent Jones II and leading course databases. Sta Elena has three nines designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the Makiling nine opening in 1993 and Banahaw and Sierra Madre in 1994, each a par 36 combining to par 72 of up to about 7,240 yards. It is a private club, so any guest green fee is arranged through a member and should be confirmed directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The three nines share a design language, broad fairways shaped over rolling ground, mature planting and water that comes into play more often than first appears. Robert Trent Jones II builds greens that accept a confident approach and punish the bailout, so club selection and a committed line matter across every combination.
Played at full stretch the par 72 routings test the longer player, the par 5s reachable only with two clean blows and the par 3s asking for precise distance control over the lakes. From the forward tees the same holes become a pleasure, which is part of why the club holds up for members and visitors of every standard.
The conditioning is the other signature, lush through the wet season and firmer in the dry months, with true greens that reward good putting. With 27 holes on offer, a visit can mix and match nines across a day and never repeat the same eighteen, making Sta Elena one of the most complete inland golf experiences near Manila.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors generally play as the guest of a member or through an accredited tour arrangement, usually on weekdays |
| Green fee | Any visitor or guest green fee is arranged through a member or accredited operator (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Arrange well ahead through a member, your hotel concierge or a Philippine golf specialist |
| On the day | Caddies are standard; carts available; 27 holes allow flexible nine combinations |
| Getting there | Santa Rosa, Laguna, roughly one hour from Manila and about 45 minutes from Makati outside traffic |
| Best months | November to May for the cooler, drier season |
Access verified June 2026; Sta Elena is private and policies change, so always confirm guest access and any fee directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers stay in Manila, in Makati or Bonifacio Global City, and make the short run south to Laguna for a round. The capital offers the widest choice of hotels, dining and the connections for onward travel around a few days of golf.
Closer to the course, the resorts and hotels around Santa Rosa, Tagaytay and the Laguna lakeshore put Sta Elena and several other southern courses within easy reach, a cooler upland base that pairs well with a golf focused itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Sta Elena.
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Sta Elena questions
Who designed Sta Elena Golf Club?
Sta Elena was designed by Robert Trent Jones II. It comprises three nines, Makiling, Banahaw and Sierra Madre, built in the early 1990s on rolling ground at Santa Rosa in Laguna.
How many holes and what is the par at Sta Elena?
Sta Elena has 27 holes across three nines, each a par 36. The nines combine into par 72 routings measuring up to about 7,240 yards from the back tees.
Can visitors play Sta Elena?
Sta Elena is a private members club. Visitors generally play as the guest of a member or through an accredited tour arrangement, usually on weekdays, so access should be arranged in advance.
How far is Sta Elena from Manila?
The club is in Santa Rosa, Laguna, roughly one hour south of Manila and about 45 minutes from Makati outside peak traffic, making it a popular day trip for city golfers.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, layout and yardages verified June 2026; access arrangements verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.