Davao City Tees Up International Golf Tourism with Japan Friendship Tournament
The southern Philippine city of Davao is preparing to host its inaugural Davao-Japan Friendship Golf Tournament on December 5-6, 2025, marking a significant step in establishing the city as an emerging destination for international golf tourism.
This two-day international sporting event will bring together approximately 180 local and foreign golfers at two of Davao's premier golf courses: South Pacific Golf and Rancho Palos Verdes. The tournament represents a strategic fusion of sports, business, and leisure activities designed to showcase Davao's potential as a high-value tourism destination.
Positioning Davao as a Golf Tourism Hub
According to Liza Gamo, president of the Davao Hotels/Resorts Sales and Marketing Association Inc. (HRSMA), the tournament welcomes both hobbyists and enthusiasts to demonstrate Davao City's golf tourism capabilities. "Davao has a lot of beautiful golf courses that we can offer to the Japanese market," Gamo stated during PEP Talks on November 7.
Gamo confirmed that Davao's hospitality sector is fully prepared to accommodate international players and spectators. The event expects participation from 40 to 50 Japanese golfers currently based in Davao, along with additional foreign participants from Japanese partner tour operators.
Registration fees are set at P20,000 per team or P10,000 per player, with early bird discounts available until November 16. The package includes comprehensive amenities:
- Green fees for practice and tournament rounds
- Caddy services and shared carts
- Meal vouchers and giveaways
- Raffle entries
Strategic Golf Tourism Development
The tournament represents the culmination of strategic tourism planning that began in September, when Davao tourism officials started exploring golf tourism as a method to attract more foreign visitors, particularly from Japan and South Korea.
Gene Bangayan, co-chairperson of the Davao MICE Board, explained the economic appeal: "We are promoting golf tourism in Japan because that's what the Japanese want—in fact, not only Japanese but also Koreans. That's really what they're looking for."
Bangayan highlighted the cost advantage Davao offers: "It's so expensive for them to play in those places, and we have beautiful golf courses here." The MICE Board has integrated golf packages into their strategy to attract international conventions and extended-stay visitors.
Davao's golf infrastructure includes three championship 18-hole courses:
- Apo Golf and Country Club in Bago Aplaya
- South Pacific Golf Club in Catalunan Pequeño
- Rancho Palos Verdes in Mandug
Additionally, the Don Paco Rocamora Golf and Country Club in nearby Mati City, Davao Oriental offers a nine-hole coastal golf experience appealing to leisure travelers.
According to Department of Tourism–Davao Regional Director Tanya Rabat Tan, the region is well-equipped to welcome golf tourists with its multiple quality courses and significant market potential.
National Tourism Strategy Alignment
Davao's initiative aligns with the national tourism strategy. On August 29, the Department of Tourism launched the Philippine Golf Experience (GolfEx) in Clark, Pampanga, a program designed to position the Philippines as a premier golf tourism destination globally.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized during the GolfEx launch: "We have always known that the Philippines, with its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, together with more than a hundred world-class quality golf courses across our islands, has all the makings of a world-class golf destination."
Beyond sports, the Davao-Japan Friendship Golf Tournament serves as a platform for strengthening bilateral ties between Japan and Davao, fostering collaborations that extend to trade, education, and cultural exchange. Local tourism officials view the event as an opportunity to showcase Davao's safety, hospitality, and competitive business environment to international investors and visitors.
The tournament represents a strategic turning point in Davao's approach to merging sports, tourism, and business, positioning the city as a preferred venue for international events while stimulating niche tourism markets that could significantly boost the local economy.
