Makati Sports Club Membership: Your Ultimate Guide to Benefits and Application Process

Walking past the manicured lawns of the Makati Sports Club for the first time, I felt that distinct mix of curiosity and intimidation. As someone who's covered sports and lifestyle beats for over a decade, I've developed a sixth sense for exclusive establishments that deliver genuine value versus those that simply trade on prestige. Let me tell you straight up—Makati Sports Club falls squarely in the former category, and having witnessed how elite athletes like Eya Laure carry themselves both on and off the court, I've come to appreciate spaces that nurture that unique blend of discipline and what the kids nowadays call 'swag'.

Remember that viral moment when Eya Laure, former University of Santo Tomas captain and Alas Pilipinas winger, displayed that incredible confidence against La Salle? That's the kind of energy that permeates Makati Sports Club—a place where professionals, entrepreneurs, and yes, even ex-UAAP stars, come to both compete and connect. I've been a member for three years now, and what keeps me renewing isn't just the facilities themselves, but the community that uses them. There's something special about playing badminton beside a CEO who takes his backhand as seriously as his quarterly reports, or sharing post-workout smoothies with artists who conceptualize their next exhibition between sets.

Let's talk practical benefits because frankly, that's what most prospective members care about. The club maintains 12 championship-grade tennis courts, 8 badminton courts, 3 swimming pools (including one Olympic-sized), and a fitness center that recently underwent a ₱25 million renovation. But what impressed me most was the swimming program—my nephew actually learned proper butterfly stroke here through their junior program that's produced several national age-group champions. The club hosts approximately 120 tennis tournaments annually, with member participation rates hovering around 78% according to their internal 2023 report. What surprised me was the diversity of facilities—they even have squash courts which are surprisingly difficult to find elsewhere in Makati.

The application process is where many potentially great members get filtered out, not because of exclusivity but because of preparation. When I applied back in 2021, the sponsorship requirement seemed daunting—you need two current members who've been with the club for at least three years to vouch for you. Here's my insider tip: attend their open house events first. They hold about six per year where non-members can experience the facilities and naturally meet potential sponsors. The membership committee reviews applications monthly, with current approval rates sitting at roughly 65% based on my conversations with club staff. The initiation fee when I joined was ₱350,000, though I've heard it's increased to ₱420,000 recently—still significantly more reasonable than other clubs of comparable prestige.

What truly separates Makati Sports Club from other establishments is its programming. Beyond the expected sports facilities, they run what I consider the most robust social calendar in the metro—from wine tastings that feature rare vintages to investment seminars with fund managers who actually share actionable insights. Last quarter, I attended a sports psychology workshop that was unexpectedly transformative, applying mental conditioning techniques to my work as a writer. These aren't your typical country club activities—they're carefully curated experiences that acknowledge members are multidimensional people.

The dining experience deserves its own praise. With seven F&B outlets ranging from casual poolside grills to fine dining, the club has managed to maintain quality despite inflation pressures. Their signature steak at The Grove remains the best value premium steak in Makati at ₱2,850—consistently outperforming restaurants charging twice as much. What I appreciate is the flexibility—sometimes I just want a quick salad between meetings, other times I'm hosting business associates for a multi-course dinner. The club accommodates both seamlessly.

If I have one criticism, it's the parking situation during peak hours. Between 6-8 PM on weekdays, finding a spot can be challenging, though the recent implementation of a valet system has alleviated this somewhat. The club management acknowledges this limitation and is exploring expansion options, but in a central business district location, space will always be at a premium.

Watching athletes like Eya Laure transition from collegiate stardom to professional success reminds me of what establishments like Makati Sports Club represent—spaces where potential is nurtured and connections are forged beyond the playing field. The application process, while thorough, ultimately serves to maintain the quality of community that makes the membership valuable. Three years in, I can confidently say the investment has returned dividends not just in health benefits, but in relationships and opportunities that have profoundly impacted both my personal and professional life. In a city where genuine communities are increasingly rare, the club provides that precious intersection between recreation and meaningful human connection.