Hann Philippines Inc, the casino resort developer behind the Hann Resorts brand, is to have a soft opening on Friday (January 30) for the first of three golf courses to be featured at New Clark City.
The information was disclosed at a media event on Wednesday by company executives. They included Agnes Liwanag, vice president for real estate and property development of Hann Philippines, and Tim Neil, general manager of Hann Reserve.
Hann Reserve (pictured in a rendering) is a 15-minute drive from the group’s existing Hann Casino Resort, at Clark Freeport Zone, a two-hour drive from the nation’s capital, Manila.
The Hann Reserve facility will feature three 18-hole courses, several upmarket hotels, villas, and a casino. The project is also to have a “commercial centre”, residences, and an international school, according to its promoter.
The company has already announced a number of hotel brands for Hann Reserve, including SO, Sofitel, and Emblems, all by French hospitality group Accor SA. Other hotel brands mentioned in corporate statements are: The Luxury Collection, and Westin, both from Marriott International Inc.
The golf course due to open is by Nicklaus Design, a company founded by American professional golfer Jack Nicklaus.
The other two golf courses intended for Hann Reserve are to be created by South Korean professional golfer KJ Choi, and by former world number one-ranked British golfer Nick Faldo.
These will be complemented by Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA)-affiliated facilities, including a PGA Performance Centre and a PGA Village, developed in partnership with PGA of America,” creating a hub for elite training, coaching, and education,” according to the firm.
Ms Liwanag was cited as saying at Wednesday’s event: “Building on what we have achieved in Clark, Hann Reserve represents the next phase of our growth – one that is grounded in sustainability, long-term planning, and a deep understanding of place.”
She added Hann Reserve would have the same approach to lifestyle that had been created for the existing Hann Casino Resort.
The Hann Casino Resort – currently being upgraded – opened in December an expansion of its gaming venue, dubbed “The Canyon”. Combined with the existing casino, the complex now offers a total of 1,721 slot machines, 274 table games, and 72 electronic games, according to its promoter.
The property’s expansion also involves construction of an InterContinental hotel, as well as the development of a 640-room hotel under the Novotel brand.
Aside from the golf course, there will be in March an official opening for a golf and country club, and the initial phase of a public park, according to the firm’s executives.
Hann Reserve general manager Mr Neil explained that the partnership with the PGA enables Hann Reserve to introduce “structured learning pathways that extend beyond sport, including student-athlete programmes integrated with the estate’s planned international school”.
“Something we always talk about internally is that we’re not here to replicate. We’re here to reinvent,” he added.
“We’re trying to create quality golf at the highest level, with something for multiple groups of consumers, whether that’s for wellness, the PGA village, or three courses of a standard that isn’t currently available, not just in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia,” he further noted.
Mr Neil emphasised that March’s scheduled opening would be the start of a “long-term journey” for Hann Reserve, “with future phases carefully sequenced to ensure quality, continuity, and global relevance”.
Hann Philippines aims to complete a second phase of Hann Reserve by 2030, according to the Business World outlet. The company is also planning a second integrated resort within Hann Reserve, the outlet added.
