It was established in 1909 during the American colonial era by Governor General William Cameron Forbes as a venue for polo and leisure for the wealthy elite.

The Manila Polo Club was incorporated on August 18, 1909[1] by American William Cameron Forbes, who would start serving as Governor-General of the Philippines within the same year.

[2] Forbes is credited for establishing the first polo field in the Philippines[3] and served as delegate of the club until the outbreak of World War II.

[1] The original location of the clubhouse was situated on land acquired by Forbes himself using his own money, along Calle Real (now F.B.

The club's membership was primarily American in its early years, and also had foreigners with different nationalities as its members.

One of the high profile guests of the club in the pre-World War II era was then Prince of Wales Edward VIII, who played a polo match with an American team at the MPC's clubhouse.

[2] Prior to 1983, membership was restricted to males, although wives of members were allowed to use the club's facilities.