HISTORY

WACK WACK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB was founded by William J. "Bill" Shaw in 1930 with the assistance of a small group of Filipino golfers who met regularly to play golf at the Municipal Golf Links on the refilled moats surrounding the Walled City of Intramuros and later on at a small private 9-hole golf course in La Loma, Caloocan.

These handful of dedicated golfers decided to organize a COSMOPOLITAN CLUB with the aim of promoting harmony, cooperation and friendship among nationals of different countries. Bill Shaw, who was well known to believe in this aim and whose obsession was to build a golf course for all races, was prevailed upon to head the group. He accepted and was unanimously elected president by the first Board of Directors upon the formal establishment of the Club in 1930.

The organizers needed PhP 400,000.00 to buy the land on which to build the golf course and the clubhouse. Since there were only 154 in the original group, they needed 246 more to be assessed PhP 1,000.00 each to raise the PhP 400,000.00. A vigorous campaign was launched with a picnic at the proposed site of the golf course, where government officials, businessmen, and golf enthusiasts were invited. This affair was followed a few days later by a luncheon hosted by Bill Shaw at Tom's Dixie Kitchen where applications for membership were distributed and filled out. In less than a month, the full membership was covered. Those who could not pay in cash were allowed to pay in installment. Bill Shaw arranged with People's Bank & Trust Co. for their discounting of the promissory notes.

Bill Shaw contracted the services of Jim Black, a golf professional from the United States, to direct the construction of the course. The construction of the first 18 holes was started in April 1931. After the construction of the first 18-hole course (known as the East Course), Bill Shaw bought a parcel of land adjoining the Wack Wack property, on which another 18 holes were constructed (now known as the West Course).

Part of this property was later donated by Bill Shaw to the Club with the condition that said property should not be used for any other purposes than as part of the golf course of the Club. Bill Shaw was elected president of Wack Wack every year until his death on March 1, 1939.

Wack Wack Golf & Country Club is looked up to as a monument to the memory of Bill Shaw. He was the spirit and the vision that transformed a dream into reality. And that reality has brought joy to thousands upon thousands of golfers who over the years have played in Wack Wack. That which stands as a monument to him is not merely a building and golf course. What is more important is the mission fulfilled, that which gives the Shaw monument life and causes it to continue living as a meeting place and playground in this cosmopolitan community.

Towards the end of the 30s Wack Wack staged the first international Asian event, the Philippine Open. After World War II the club and a new lease of life and resumed the championship on a large scale, attracting players like Mangrum, Oliver, Burke, Harrison and Furgol from the USA together with a large contingent of Australian, Taiwanese and Japanese players.

Arnold Palmer and Gary Palmer came in the late 60s to play an exhibition match. Player came back in 1978 to represent his country in the World Cup where he won the title under the leadership of Seve Ballesteros. Wack Wack hosted more than 50% of Philippine Open editions until 1990. The Open returned to Wack Wack in 2001, with its 86th staging, won by Felix "Cassius" Casas. The 87th Philippine Open was again held at the East Course on March 7- 10, 2002, won by Rick Gibson of Canada.

With Bill Shaw's firm determination to achieve the goals set, Wack Wack Golf & Country Club has today remained as one of the most renowned and revered golf courses in the world.